Congressional Investments Provide a Boost for Clean Water, Local Economies
(SCRANTON, PA)—Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright announced federal investments of $100,000 to protect and restore local water quality in northeastern Pennsylvania. Awarded to the Lackawanna River Conservation Association and Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, these grants are part of a larger $18 million investment of funds directed by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to improve the health of waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With the $18 million matched by local support, this funding is ultimately generating an investment of more than $36 million for clean water.
Projects from this funding span the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed, with 56 grants supporting projects in Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The projects cover a wide-range of clean water issues facing local communities and the Bay, such as helping farmers to reduce agricultural pollution and to protect fish and wildlife habitat, installing green infrastructure, and improving oyster habitats.
In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement:
"We are extremely pleased with the strong level of investment from Congress for clean water. This critical funding supports on-the-ground projects that improve drinking water, mitigate flooding risks, and creates better habitat for iconic species in every part of the watershed.
"As the world continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for clean water is stronger than ever. This level of funding demonstrates a recognition of clean water's importance to both public health and our economy. Investments in clean water infrastructure and restoration programs create jobs and provide a boost to local economies, all while making our public parks and local waterways cleaner and safer.
"With strong bipartisan support for clean water, we are excited to see these projects protect and restore local waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Moving forward, we will continue working with members of Congress to designate even more critical funding that supports local communities in their efforts to provide swimmable and fishable rivers and streams for future generations."
For a full list of the 56 grants, please contact Drew Robinson at RobinsonAQ@nwf.org.
The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an organization that harnesses the collective power of more than 250 local, state, regional, and national groups to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake region.
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Media Contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org