The DlDelaware River BiBasin Goes to DC Congressional and Legislative Opportunities in the 112th Congress February 2, 2011 Rachel Dawson Ashlie Strackbein Northeast –Midwest Institute National Fish & Wildlife Foundation National Fish and Wildlife Foundation • Created by Congress in 1984 • Mission to leverage public monies with private resources • Works with 14 federal agencies and more than 50 pritivate fdfunders • Competitive grant programs with low administrative costs • Established funder in the Delaware River Basin and other nationally significant watersheds Northeast‐Midwest Institute • A Washington‐bdbased, non‐partisan research organization • Dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity • Conducts research, advances innovative policy, evaluates key federal programs, highlights sound economic and environmental techlhnologies and practices • Unique among policy centers –ties to bipartisan Northeast‐Midwest House and Senate Coalitions and a series of issue‐ and placed‐based task forces Delaware River Basin Task Force • CtdCreated in 1999 • Includes U.S. Representatives of all four Basin states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware • Four co‐chairs, bipartisan • Holds briefings, explores legislative and appropriations opportunities, tracks federal programs • DELAWARE – John C. Carney D • NEW JERSEY – 1 ‐ Robert E. Andrews D – 2 ‐ Frank A. LoBiondo R – 3 ‐ Jon Runyan R – 4 ‐ Christopher H. Smith R – 5 ‐ Scott Garrett R – 7 ‐ Leonard Lance R – 11 ‐ Rodney P. Frelinghuysen R – 12 ‐ Rush D. Holt D • NEW YORK – 19 ‐ Nan A. S. Hayworth R – 20 ‐ Christopher P. Gibson R – 21 ‐ Paul Tonko D – 22 ‐ Maurice D. Hinchey D – 24 ‐ Richard L. Hanna R • PENNSYLVANIA – 1 ‐ Robert A. Brady D – 2 ‐ Chaka Fattah D – 6 ‐ Jim Gerlach R – 7 ‐ Patrick Meehan R – 8 ‐ Michael G. Fitzpatrick R – 10 ‐ Tom Marino R – 11 ‐ Lou Barletta R – 13 ‐ Allyson Y. Schwartz D – 15 ‐ Charles W. Dent R – 16 ‐ Joseph R. Pitts R – 17 ‐ Tim Holden D Increasing Resources for the Delaware River Basin • Growing interest at the local level and in Congress to increase federal resources for the River Basin and Estuary • NEMW and NFWF held in‐watershed stakeholder meetings, Summer 2008 • Task Force briefing by PDE, DRBC and NFWF, Spring 2009 • Task Force co‐chairs discussion with EPA, FWS on Capitol Hill, July 2009 • For decades, other “Great Waters” (Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes) have received fdfedera l fdifunding targeted for watershdhed restoration thhhrough EPA programs Delaware River Basin Conservation Act • Legislation introduced in March 2010, H.R. 4698 • Led by Rep. Castle (DE) and co‐sponsored by: Dent (PA), Holt (NJ), Hinchey (NY), Carney (PA), Sestak (PA) and LoBiondo (NJ) • Purpose is to accelerate restoration in the 4‐state region – A voluntary, non‐regulatory approach – Strategic grant‐making and technical assistance – Coordinated implementation of restoration efforts at the federal, regional, state, local level Delaware River Basin Conservation Act • Establishes the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Institution of a new Basin‐wide partnership for coordinated restoration in consultation with existing management structures • Identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities • Adoption of a single plan for Basin‐wide implementation • Support of locally‐driven, on‐the‐ground projects by non‐ profits, universities, state/local governments, community organizations What’s Next on Capitol Hill • CtidContinued ldleaders hip by DRBTF is critical in a challenging political environment – Discussing re‐introduction in House and intro in Senate – Addressing fiscal and other politica l constittraints • Action by stakeholders is critical – Engage Elected Officials – Share your work –regular communication of priorities and success stories – Participate in grassroots activities to educate Congress To get involved and find more information: www.nemw.org/delaware.