NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Reintroduces Legislation to Reauthorize and Expand the Delaware River Basin Conservation Program

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, yesterday introduced theDelaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Delaware River Basin Conservation Program, which provides key funding that improves water quality, reduces flooding, restores fish and wildlife habitat, and enhances safe recreation access for the public across Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

The legislation is cosponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.)

"For almost a decade, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Program has proven essential to the long-term health and wealth of our region," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "I'm proud to be reintroducing this legislation to not only continue its funding but expand it. This is an environmental and economic win-win for Delaware and our neighboring states and will continue benefitting our communities for generations to come."

The Delaware River Basin directly supplies drinking water to 13 million people and supports a $25 million water-based economy, generating 600,000 jobs and $10 billion in annual wages across the region. Communities benefit from the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program through strengthened economies, protected communities, improved health, and greater access to the outdoors.

The Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act:

• Extends program authorization through 2033 to ensure long-term conservation and restoration efforts.
• Expands the official definition of the Basin to include Maryland, officially recognizing its ecological and economic contributions to the watershed.
• Prioritizes projects that serve small, rural, and disadvantaged communities, ensuring equitable access to federal conservation resources.

The legislation is endorsed by the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, the Delaware Nature Society, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Audubon Society, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the National Wildlife Federation, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the American Rivers Action Fund, the Friends of the Upper Delaware, PennFuture, the Friends of the Wissahisckon, the Pocono Heritage Land Trust, the American Sustainable Business Council, and the Riverways Collaboration.

"We are grateful to Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester for introducing the Reauthorization of the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program and for her unwavering commitment to protecting communities and the environment," said Meagan Birkenmeier, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. "Her leadership ensures that critical investments in clean water, habitat restoration, and resilient communities will continue to benefit people and wildlife in Delaware and across the Basin."

"We applaud Sen. Blunt Rochester for introducing the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization bill," said Nikki Ghorpade, Director of Public Policy for Ducks Unlimited. "This program has been a critical funding source for wetlands restoration projects throughout the watershed, and has made a significant impact on waterfowl and migratory bird populations in the region. Reauthorizing this program will ensure these projects will continue to benefit all inhabitants of the watershed, including birds, wildlife and people."

"Thank you to Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester for her leadership and steadfast commitment to protecting the Delaware River Basin," said Leda Huta, Senior Advocacy Strategist for the American Rivers Action Fund. "This watershed is a lifeline for more than 13 million people, powering our communities and economy. Reauthorizing this critical river program will ensure continued investment in clean water, habitat restoration, and resilient communities across the region."

A one pager on the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act is available here. Full text is available here.

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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.