Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025
This bill, the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, amends the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act) to reauthorize Delaware River Basin conservation programs and make the program more inclusive and age-extended. The major changes are: (1) adding Maryland as a basin state, expanding the basin to five states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania); (2) adjusting definitions to reflect the five-state basin; (3) allowing prioritization of grant-funded projects that serve small, rural, or disadvantaged communities; and (4) extending the program’s sunset date from 2023 to 2032. Overall, the bill aims to continue federal support for watershed restoration and water-quality projects in the Delaware River Basin with greater emphasis on underserved communities. By reauthorizing and slightly expanding the program, the bill could broaden eligibility and coordination across more states within the Delaware River Basin and ensure continued funding for conservation and restoration efforts through 2032, with a stated preference for projects benefiting smaller or disadvantaged communities.
Key Points
- 1Adds Maryland as a basin state, expanding the Delaware River Basin to five states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) for purposes of the conservation programs.
- 2Updates definitions to reflect the 5-state configuration, ensuring Maryland is treated as part of the basin in key provisions.
- 3Adds a new priority provision allowing the funding Secretary to give preference to projects serving small, rural, or disadvantaged communities.
- 4Extends the program’s sunset date from 2023 to 2032, ensuring long-term authorization of the Delaware River Basin conservation programs.
- 5Reaffirms that the bill amends the WIIN Act to reauthorize ongoing conservation programs and for related purposes, maintaining federal support for basin restoration efforts.