Politics of Clean Water

The Politics of Clean Water

Bethlehem, PA October 22, 2014

Delaware River Watershed Forum 2014

Mark Zakutansky, Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager, Appalachian Mountain Club

Jill Witkowski, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition

Kelly Mooij, Vice President of Government Relations, New Jersey Audubon Society

CDRW - Mission StatementTO UNITE ORGANIZATIONS AND ENHANCE THEIR CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR PROTECTING AND RESTORING THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN BY COORDINATING COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGES, AND ACTIONS AND FOSTERING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SUCCESS AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS

Overview When Clean Water hits the news What the public thinks What actually happens down in

Washington D.C. EPA’s Waters of the United States Water Resources & Agencies:

Army Corps Dept. of Agriculture

Protecting the waters of the Delaware River Basin

Working together


When Clean Water hits the news


Algae blooms caused from runoff into Lake Erie shuts down drinking water supplies to 400,000 nearby residents for two days.

From 2014 in the United States alone:• August 2, 2014 - Toledo, Ohio – Algae blooms lead to the contamination of drinking water supplies to 400,000 residents.• January 9, 2014 – Charleston, WV – Water supplies to 300,000 residents polluted by Freedom Industries. •February 2, 2014 – Eden, NC – 140,000 tons of coal ash leaks into the Dan River, threatening drinking water supplies and impacting 70 river miles.


In West Virginia, as of October 10, 2014 (WVCAG poll):• 75% of voters “concerned” about water pollution.• 80% of voters want the government to invest in clean water• 60% support higher taxes for clean water

In New Jersey:• Polling consistently shows that protecting “clean and plentiful drinking water” resonates the most with the general public.

What the Public Thinks


The “disconnect” is clear … What the Public Thinks

Economic Values of Upper Del. and Estuary

“I’m just a bill … sitting here on Capital Hill.”

Washington D.C. Today


Challenges:• Budget Process and Continuing Resolutions• Policy Riders in budget bills• Earmark ban• Sunsetting provisions• Offsets and programmatic funding• Bill packages

Public backlash against the Monsanto Protection Act has been strong. The bill was included in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill in 2013, considered a policy rider. Other policy rider have been repeatedly introduced in Congress to impact funding to agencies such as the EPA, for example.

Washington D.C. Today


BUT … Congress still has constituents (you)!!

Examples of legislation being advanced through Congress today:• Highlands Conservation Act reauthorization• The Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization• Funding LWCF and the Highlands programs• Transportation funding• New Farm Bill• Delaware River Basin Conservation Act•Conservation Easement Incentive Act•And more……

Engaging in Complex Legislative and Regulatory Issues

Jill Witkowski

Director, Choose Clean Water Coalition

[email protected]

Clean Water Rule

FUNDING

Making Friends

Making Friends

HR 4202 Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act

THANK YOU!

Presented by Kelly Mooij, Esq.

New Jersey’s Keep It Green Coalition& the Delaware River Basin

Conservation Act

Keep it Green Coalition

KIG: Open Space Preservation

Acquisition

Successful 50 year historyCritical needs remain

Parks improvements & development

Natural land & habitat stewardshipRestoration

Stewardship

A coalition of over 180 conservation, park, recreation, wildlife, agricultural and forestry groups

Goal: long-term, stable funding for: Land and water protection, parks (Green Acres) Farmland preservation (SADC) Historic preservation (NJ Historic Trust) Stewardship of parks, preserved lands, historic sites Operations of state land management agencies

KIG: Open Space Funding

• Ballot Question on November 4th. Dedicates 4%-6% of Corporate Business Tax funds for open space preservation and stewardship permanently

How do we make it happen?

Partnerships with Members!

Active Education CampaignGrassroots and Member Outreach Campaign Vote YES campaign (Paid and Earned)GOTV

Delaware River BasinValue of the River

The Delaware River Basin is home to 8 million residents

Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed

8

1616 million people rely on the river for clean drinking water

Value of the River

Provides:•Critical habitat and ecosystem services•Recreation and transportation•Resources and ecotourism to support local economies


Delaware River Basin Conservation Act


Primary purpose is to develop and implement a coordinated, Basin-wide approach:

•Creates a Delaware River Basin Restoration Program in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service•Voluntary and non-regulatory

•Requires consultation with other agencies & states in order to identify and prioritize restoration and protection activities

•Creates competitive grant program

Potential DRBCA Funded Projects


1.Habitat restoration & protection

2.Water quality improvements3.Flood mitigation4.Public access & recreation 5.Environmentally sensitive

land use planning6.Public outreach & education7.Planning, monitoring &

research

Why Here?For decades, other major watersheds have

received significant dedicated federal support


Great Lakes

Chesapeake Bay

Puget Sound

San Francisco Bay

Gulf of Mexico

Long Island Sound

Lake Champlain

Delaware River & Estuary

FY12 Federal Investment (in millions)

300200100

Why Now?• Opportunity to enhance efficiency and

effectiveness of public and private efforts

• Synergy with other basin-wide initiatives & investment o William Penn Foundation’s Delaware River Basin

Initiativeo Basin-wide proposal to NRCS’ RCPP program o Sandy Restoration Grantso USGS Water Censuso Federal Urban Waters Partnership

• Growing interest at the local level and in Congress to increase resources


DRBCA Status

Senate• Re-introduced May 2014

by Senator Carper

• 6 Co-sponsors from Basin

• Authorizes $5 million annually

House • Re-introduced February

2013 by Rep. Carney

• 20 Co-sponsors: 11 Republicans, 9 Democrats

• No current funding authorization


• First Introduced in the 111th Congress• Growing, bi-partisan support

Next Steps

• Digest election results and changes in Committee leadership

• Develop grassroots/grasstop strategies for new Congress

• Highlight DRBCA at In-district and Coalition events

• Maintain momentum by continuing to engage legislative staff on issue

• Look for partnership & bill packaging opportunities

• Social & traditional media outreach


What You Can Do?


Thank you!


Photo Credits

• Horseshoe crab & Red Knot: Bill Dalton• Kayakers: David B. Soete Courtesy of Delaware Highlands Conservancy• Rep. Gerlich on Tour: Courtesy of Trout Unlimited• Environmental education program : Courtesy Delaware Nature Society.• Mallard: John Park• Mussel Seeding Project: Courtesy of Partnership for the Delaware

Estuary & the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership• Water Monitoring: Courtesy of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed

Association• Schuylkill River Recreation: Courtesy of Pennsylvania Environmental

Council


Politics of Clean Water

Environment

Transcript of Politics of Clean Water