Rep. Watson Coleman Gathers Community Partners to Celebrate $715,000 in Funding for Delaware River Basin Commission

*Please Note: This presss release was issued by the office of Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) on October 7, 2024.

Contact: Ned Cooper, [email protected]

Rep. Watson Coleman Gathers Community Partners to Celebrate $715,000 in Funding for Delaware River Basin Commission

Ewing, N.J. (Monday, October 7, 2024) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) visited the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC) West Trenton offices, joined by New Jersey Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Protection Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer, DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini, DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann and invited guests and partners in Greater Trenton.

The Congresswoman announced $715,000 in funding, which she secured for the second year in a row, to support DRBC's water resources work in the region. This funding came as a part of the omnibus government funding legislation that Congress passed March 23rd. Together with prior funding, the DRBC has committed to set aside a total of $1 million to advance climate resilience.

"Clean water is not a luxury, it's a basic human right," said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). "This $715,000 federal investment will help ensure the over 14 million Americans who rely on the Delaware River Basin for drinking, agriculture, and industrial usage continue to have access to a clean source of water. It will support the 600,000 jobs and $20 billion in industrial activity that the river facilitates. And it will make our communities more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change. I am so grateful to the Delaware River Basin Commission for the crucial work they do to support our communities. And to the Biden-Harris Administration for making this investment possible."

"The DEP is proud to partner with the Delaware River Basin Commission to protect this critical waterway serving millions of residents and multiple communities across four states," said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer. "By working together and through the Commission, we are securing a more resilient New Jersey. DEP thanks Congresswoman Watson Coleman not only for her leadership, but her unwavering commitment to protecting the vital resources of the Delaware River Basin."

"Congresswoman Watson Coleman is a true champion for the Greater Trenton community and the water resources of the Delaware River Basin," said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini. "With support from our federal and state partners, DRBC is embarking on agency-wide work to enhance the resilience of the Basin's water resources into the future, and we are thrilled to accept this funding for the benefit of over 14 million people in four states."

"Today's announcement by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman highlights the critical importance of investing in our water resources and climate resilience," said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. "Securing $715,000 in funding for the Delaware River Basin Commission for the second consecutive year is a testament to her unwavering dedication and leadership. This investment not only strengthens our state's environmental initiatives but also serves as an example of how we can unite and collaborate across jurisdictions to enhance climate resilience, ensuring a legacy of clean and safe water for future generations."

"Getting this funding is a huge win for our community," said Mayor Bert H. Steinmann. "Thanks to Congresswoman Watson Coleman, we're making sure our water stays clean and safe, which is vital for everyone. It takes a lot of teamwork to tackle these big issues, and the Delaware River Basin Commission has been a great partner in this. We're all about rolling up our sleeves and working together-whether it's building new infrastructure or keeping our waterways healthy for the long haul. This money is going to help us do just that."

Following the funding announcement, the Commission and Congresswoman Waston Coleman's staff hosted Trenton community partners to hear about recent projects and funding opportunities.

"Partnership is core to our work, and only through partnership can we face the challenges posed by a changing climate to our shared waters. This committed funding fuels our goals for collaborative and meaningful progress," said DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh. "We were pleased to welcome so many partners working in the Greater Trenton community to highlight their work and connect with our staff to learn about funding opportunities."

"From supporting local events and initiatives to engaging in critical environmental projects, Princeton Hydro is proud to play a role in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant Trenton," said Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, President, Princeton Hydro. "Trenton has welcomed our business with open arms, and we are grateful to be part of this community. We hope to inspire other businesses to join us here in Trenton."

"It is such a pleasure to work alongside so many incredible partners to ensure a sustainable future for the Greater Trenton community, where residents are experiencing disproportionate impacts of climate change," said Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation. "New Jersey Conservation Foundation is proud to play a role in the protection of critical natural resources in our capital city and across the state."

"The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County is proud to participate in honoring Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and recognizing the impactful contributions of DRBC," said Latarsha Burke, CEO/Executive Director of The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County. "Since 2020, in partnership with NJ Legislative District 15, Mercer County Administration, and the City of Trenton, we have successfully produced the annual Juneteenth Celebration. Thanks to the investment and support of DRBC and many others, the Juneteenth Celebration has become a cherished event that unites people of all races and ethnicities. It is now our most anticipated event of the year!"

About the Delaware River Basin

The Delaware River Basin spans 13,539 square miles, includes parts of four states, all or portions of 42 counties, 868 municipalities, multiple government entities and jurisdictions, and twenty-two congressional districts. The Basin serves 14.2 million users including 2 million in New Jersey.

About the Delaware River Basin Commission

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency created in 1961 by concurrent compact legislation, marking the first time that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development and regulatory agency. The five Commission members are the governors of the Basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

Commission Signatory funding supports DRBC engineering, science, research, monitoring and regulatory programs providing: clean and healthy water for people and wildlife; water resiliency to address climate change and extreme conditions such as floods and droughts; water availability and economic growth by having enough water to meet all of our current and future needs; and water equity to ensure that everyone in our communities share equally in the benefits and stewardship of our shared water resources.

To learn more about the Commission, please visit www.drbc.gov or follow DRBC on X at @DRBC1961.

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