WASHINGTON, D.C. — Advocates are celebrating a $1 million spending increase for key conservation priorities in the Delaware River watershed included in the omnibus spending plan that was just approved by Congress and signed by President Biden.

The legislation includes $11.5 million in funding for 2023 for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program (DRBRP), which invests federal funding to advance local projects that mitigate flooding, preserve ecologically sensitive areas and improve outdoor access across the watershed. 

The Delaware River provides drinking water for millions of families across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

This increase is on top of $5.2 million appropriated annually through 2026 for the program due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which was signed into law Nov. 2021.

“We applaud the Congressional champions who supported the inclusion of $11.5 million for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program in the 2023 federal budget. This program represents a critical investment in the land and water resources of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware,” said Kelly Knutson, Director, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. “The program empowers organizations to tackle critical environmental challenges through projects such as increasing equitable outdoor access, preventing stormwater runoff and stream erosion, limiting flooding events, and protecting against loss of wildlife habitat. The increase in funding for the Delaware River Basin will allow for significant advancements in conservation and restoration of the resources upon which people, wildlife, and our economy rely.”

Government entities, non-profit organizations, and schools within the basin will be able to apply for funds to implement on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects early next year.

Since 2018, the grant program created by the DRBRP, called the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund, has awarded $40.4 million to 159 projects, which generated $59.7 million in local matching funding, for a total conservation impact of $100.1 million.

These projects will collectively restore over 22 miles of riparian habitat and 76 miles of stream habitat, conserve and enhance 1,322 acres of wetland habitat, restore 255 acres of floodplain, improve 27,105 acres of forest habitat and open 4,719 acres for public access.