Federal watershed act is vital for protecting our rivers

The New York-New Jersey Watershed impacts tens of millions of Americans who live in one of the most population-dense areas of the country. Protecting and improving the water quality, access, and habitat in this area should remain paramount, as the water is supplied to millions of Americans as drinking water through many rivers such as the Hudson, Mohawk, and Raritan. It is home to many iconic species such as bluefish, striped bass, the endangered Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, the American eel, and the American shad.

This is why the passage of the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act is so vital for the future rewilding and protection of the Hudson-Raritan watersheds. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, was recently passed by the House of Representatives and awaits action in the Senate version of the defense authorization bill. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, both Democrats from New York, are cosponsors of the Senate legislation, significantly boosting its chances. With work under way in October to craft the Senate’s version of the defense authorization bill, we are at a critical time to ensure this regional priority is sent to President Joe Biden’s desk.

Projects that can advance resilience to climate change, stormwater management, habitat restoration, scientific research, and expansion of opportunities for public access, which have long awaited funding, can be supported through this bill. The watershed act would also provide resources directly to environmental justice communities.

Now is the time for action.

Federal funding is desperately needed for the Hudson-Raritan watersheds and surrounding communities. With climate change driving more intense storms along with heavier rainfall, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels, we must protect and restore these watersheds before additional, severe damage occurs. Federal support is necessary to implement science-based plans that have been designed to safeguard drinking water and halt the decline of wetlands, shorelines and streams, which all help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.

Shoreline management is especially crucial within the watershed due to recent intense storms and hurricanes, which caused tens of billions of dollars in damage to property across New York. The bill will provide federal support to local plans and projects to advance community resilience against threats such as extreme storms and rising sea level.

A coordinated, watershed-wide program would allow for the New York-New Jersey Watershed to benefit from federal assistance and partnerships that have long been enjoyed by other expansive watersheds such as the Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, and Delaware River. Federal programs established in these watersheds have yielded great benefits to communities, the environment, and the economy at the state level.

The safeguards and benefits to the communities and watersheds are within reach. After Tonko’s success in the House, there is urgency to get this bill passed in the Senate as its post-election work period is shaping up to be loaded with competing priorities. This bill would provide a historic level of investment in the Hudson River’s recovery, which is long overdue. With the support of Schumer and Gillibrand we are close to embarking on a new era of investment in clean water for New York and New Jersey. Let’s make it so.