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Report: Proposed Federal Funding Cuts Are A Step Backward In Cleaning Up The Delaware Watershed
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A report issued Tuesday by PennEnvironment said proposed Trump Administration cuts of 34 percent or more to water quality improvement and protection programs would be a step backward in helping to cleanup up the Delaware River Watershed. The report points out significant progress has been made in reducing Delaware River pollution, including a 71 percent reduction in PCB contamination from the 10 largest sources in the watershed between 2005 and 2013. Other examples include restoring sources of drinking water like the Christina River, the cleanup of hazardous waste sites like DuPont’s Titanium Technologies facility and grants to states for watershed restoration to make streams feeding the Delaware fishable, swimmable and drinkable. The report says proposed cuts include-- -- 34 percent cut to EPA’s water-related programs, hobbling efforts to prevent runoff pollution, monitor water quality, establish pollution limits, protect watersheds and wetlands, and pursue sources of pollution; -- Federal grants from the EPA to state governments for clean water would be slashed by 30 percent or more; and -- Research and development funding would be cut by 47 percent, limiting support for scientists, residents and local communities trying to understand the ever-changing threats facing their waterways. StateImpact reported the four Delaware Basin states – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware – would lose some $14 million in grants for the control of pollution from “nonpoint” sources such as agricultural runoff, and about $3.3 million in funding for the protection of drinking water sources, the report estimated. Members of Congress from Pennsylvania have expressed bipartisan concern about the proposed cuts, including Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), Patrick Meehan (R-Parts of 5 counties) and others. Click Here for a copy of the report. NewsClips: Cuts To EPA Funding Could Hobble Delaware River’s Cleanup, Report Trump’s EPA Cuts Threaten Water Quality In Delaware Watershed, Report Says A Call To Save EPA From Trump Administration’s Budget Axe Op-Ed: Let’s See Funding For Delaware Watershed Protection, Restoration Delaware RiverKeeper Sept. 1 RiverWatch Video Report Harvey Cleanup Tests Trump Plan To Shrink EPA By 8 Percent Funding Finalized For Delaware River Deepening Project Related Stories: Op-Ed: The Local Economic Impact Of Failing To Fund Clean Water Programs House GOP Plan To Empty Environmental Funds Means Not Paying 900 Grants Already Awarded DEP: Trump Budget Proposal Threatens Safe Drinking Water, Clean Air And Job Creation Proposed Trump Cuts To State Grants Will Cripple DEP, Cause Drastic Fee Increases Op-Ed: Let’s See Federal Funding For Delaware Watershed Protection, Restoration Op-Ed: New York City Decision On Delaware Water Releases Could Be Catastrophic For Aquatic Life 5th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum Oct. 17-18 In Monroe County [Posted: August 30, 2017] |
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9/4/2017 |
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