U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Antonio Delgado, founders and co-chairmen of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, led a group of 16 caucus members in requesting that the Fiscal Year 2022 funding bill include $12.5 million for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program. This funding level represents a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
Fitzpatrick and Delgado founded the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus in April 2021 to give voice to funding and conservation needs throughout the watershed. Since 2018, the DRBRP has supported 123 projects across the watershed, totaling $26.2 million in grants and leveraging an additional $46 million in matching funds. These projects restore and protect vulnerable habitats and improve public access and recreational opportunities. After backing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included $26 million in supplemental funding for the DRBRP, Fitzpatrick and Delgado are turning their attention to the upcoming funding bill.
“As co-chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, I have long advocated for federal funding for the Delaware River Watershed to improve the lives of our communities and our natural habitats,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m pleased to join Congressman Delgado to lead the charge in calling for increased funding for the DRBRP, which will assist with restoration efforts, improve environmental policies, encourage stewardship, and grow the economy here in our Basin.”
Spanning across four states and 12,800 square miles, the Delaware River Watershed generates $25 billion in annual economic activity, supports 600,000 jobs, and contributes $21 billion worth of ecosystem goods and services each year. With more than 6.4 billion gallons of water withdrawn from the watershed every day, it provides drinking water for 13.3 million Americans — more than 4 percent of the U.S. population. The watershed is also a critical refuge for more than 90 species of fish and 400 types of birds, and annually hosts more than 250 species of migrating birds.
