Delaware River Basin Conservation Act

‘Dawning of a new day’ for federal attention

LAURIE RAMIE
Posted 12/28/16

HANCOCK, NY — Outgoing Congressman Chris Gibson predicted that the recent passage of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act will be a game changer in bringing national attention and …

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Delaware River Basin Conservation Act

‘Dawning of a new day’ for federal attention

Posted

HANCOCK, NY — Outgoing Congressman Chris Gibson predicted that the recent passage of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act will be a game changer in bringing national attention and resources to a major watershed that has been overlooked. 

“This is the dawning of a new day,” he said in applauding the December 10 Congressional approval of the bill included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN), which President Obama signed into law on December 16.

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Inc. (FUDR) and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed held a press conference December 22 that packed the FUDR office in Hancock to capacity.

After bouncing around Congress for six years, the legislation establishes for the first time a non-regulatory Delaware River Basin Restoration Program that will be administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It will create a coordinated approach for identifying, prioritizing and implementing restoration and protection projects throughout the Delaware watershed, relying on a “bottom-up” strategy to support on-the-ground conservation efforts.

“This bill is all about local participation and decision-making,” FUDR Executive Director Jeff Skelding said.

“It’s way overdue. We have these large, iconic aquatic areas around the country, but for some reason, the Delaware River never achieved that status, and we never had a federally authorized program. We now have that national attention,” he added.

While the legislation sets up the mechanism to provide grants for restoration projects and technical assistance, a proposed $5 million to fund it was pulled from the bill at the last hour.

Rep. Gibson, who co-chaired the Delaware River Congressional Task Force, said the focus in 2017 will turn to securing the necessary appropriations.

“The key going forward is efficacy. Look at picking a project that is popular with tangible returns so that everyone sees the utility of supporting funding for the basin,” he advised.

Madeline Emde from the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed said that establishing the program was a critical step to rally the same type of resources that the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay receive on a national scale.

“Obviously we’re really thrilled, but our job is far from finished,” she said.

Skelding agreed, “This bill is not going to deliver the benefits we want by magic. It will take a huge effort and we will need to work together because getting money out of Congress these days is incredibly difficult.”

Even without attached dollars, Rep. Gibson noted, “This is a big win. The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act is constituent-driven and this was a thoroughly bipartisan effort. Now we’re going to have an opportunity to build this coalition even further.” 

Town of Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe, Skelding and Emde each recognized the integral role that Rep. Gibson played galvanizing co-sponsors and shepherding the bill through the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as his strong support for river interests during his six-year tenure as he leaves politics to teach at Williams College in Massachusetts.

Rowe said that redistricting of the 19th Congressional District had been advantageous since it united the watershed communities under “one man-one plan,” with Gibson as their familiar go-to leader.

Addressing Gibson, Emde said, “You’ve shown incredible passion for the river and your constituents, and have been a key player in conservation. You’ll be missed.”

Republican John Faso of Kinderhook, who will succeed Gibson in representing the 19th Congressional District in January, did not make a planned appearance at the press conference, but issued a statement praising the bill’s passage and pledging to continue Rep. Gibson’s advocacy for the river.

“This measure protects a critical ecosystem and wildlife habitat; supports a river-based tourism, recreation and hospitality economy and the jobs it creates, and sets clear goals for federal, regional, state and local entities to work together on water quality projects and more,” Congressman-elect Faso said.

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