WDEL | by Mark Fowser
Progress made in cleaning up the Delaware River, Delaware Bay and Christina River could be in jeopardy under the Trump administration’s proposal to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s Budget, according to a report from an advocacy organization.
Environment America released its findings at a news conference along Wilmington’s Christina River. A deadline for Congress to approve a federal budget is approaching.
“Over the last few years, Delaware has made a concerted effort to reduce pollution from industrial activities and clean up our waterways. This effort to hold polluters accountable and restore waterways to health is now being threatened by the Trump administration budget cuts,” State Representative John Kowalko, D- Newark, said.
According to Environment America’s Clean Water Campaign Director Megan DeSmedt, their report indicates that Delaware would lose $392,000 in water pollution control grants, more than $164,000 in drinking water protection and enforcement grants, and $1.1-million in funds to address urban and agricultural runoff pollution.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” DeSmedt added.
“We’re downstream from a lot of people. The important part to Delaware is making sure we are all working together in protecting our water and making investments in our water,” Delaware Natural Resources Secretary Shawn Garvin said.
The group is calling for full funding of the EPA by Congress, which returns to Washington after Labor Day.