CALLICOON — Congressman Antonio Delgado (NY-19) was joined by river conservation advocates and local officials to announce a new initiative under his leadership in Washington, DC that will help protect and restore the Upper Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania.

Delgado announced that he, along with other representatives, have formed the Delaware River Watershed Congressional Caucus. It will be co-chaired by Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

A press conference was held yesterday at the future site of the Callicoon Riverside Park, located at the former Upper Delaware Campground in Callicoon.

“The Upper Delaware River is more than beautiful scenery -- it's an economic driver for our communities,” said Rep. Delgado. “In New York's 19th Congressional District, the river generates more than $400 million in economic value every single year. I am proud to launch the bipartisan Delaware River Watershed Caucus alongside Representative Fitzpatrick. This caucus will bring together members from both sides of the aisle to advocate for our communities and secure federal funding to protect these precious waters. Thank you to Friends of the Upper Delaware River, local elected officials, and conservation organizations for your continued partnership and advocacy.”

Delgado was joined on Monday by Executive Director of Friends of the Upper Delaware River Jeff Skelding, New York State Senator Mike Martucci, Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Robert Doherty, Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association President/CEO Roberta Byron Lockwood, New York State Director for the Trust for Public Land Carter Strickland and others.

The goal of the caucus will be to create policy and funding initiatives that benefit the Delaware River Watershed.

Skelding said he and other river advocates have worked with Rep. Delgado over the past few years in working to protect the river.

“We know him to be a very active congressman, and we're really excited that he will be a vibrant leader of this caucus,” Skelding said.

The Upper Delaware River is an economic engine for northeast Pennsylvania and the western Catskills of New York. The tourism and recreational attributes of the river and the watershed generate millions of dollars in revenue annually.

During his first and current terms, Delgado has worked toward ensuring a federal investment of almost $2.2 million in water quality protection and river restoration in the Upper Delaware region.