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WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today cheered the House advance of the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act, legislation he authored to restore and protect the vital water resources of the Hudson, Mohawk, and Raritan Rivers and their tributaries.

“Our waterways are key economic, environmental and recreational engines for our communities,” Congressman Tonko said. “Despite this, our New York-New Jersey Watershed—the most populated watershed in America—has been neglected without key federal investments that would serve our Capital Region and beyond. My legislation responds to that long-failed opportunity by providing federal support to facilitate local restoration projects that promote healthy ecosystems, increase coastal resilience, improve water quality, address the needs of communities facing environmental injustice, and increase public access across our historic Watershed. I’m delighted to advance this legislation that will bolster this vital resource for our communities to enjoy now and for years to come.”

For years, Tonko has introduced versions of this bill, previously known as the Hudson-Mohawk River Basin Act. His legislation was advanced today as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

The bill is supported by the following organizations: Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Audubon New York, American Littoral Society, Ausable River Association, Billion Oyster Project, Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, Bronx River Alliance, Center for NYC Neighborhoods, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Clean Ocean Action, Coney Island Beautification Project, Environmental Defense Fund Action, Environment New Jersey, Environmental Advocates of NY, Friends of Hudson River Park, Friends of Liberty State Park, Future City, Inc., Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Groundwork Elizabeth, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester, Hudson River Fisherman’s Association, Hudson River Foundation, Hudson River Yacht & Boat Club Association, Ironbound Community Corporation, Jersey City Parks Coalition, La Casa de Don Pedro, Land Trust Alliance, MnM Consulting, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Foundation, Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Future, NewarkDIG (Doing Infrastructure Green), Northern Catskills Audubon Society, New York City Audubon, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, New York League of Conservation Voters, NYC H2O, NYC Soil & Water Conservation District, Newark Green Team, Newtown Creek Alliance, NJ Audubon, Ocean Bay Community Development, Onondaga Audubon, Orange County Audubon Society, Rebuild by Design, Regional Plan Association, Regional Ready Rockaway, Scoharie River Center, South Shore Audubon Society, South Ward Environmental Alliance, Surfrider Foundation, The Nature Conservancy – New Jersey, The Nature Conservancy – New York, The Passaic River Coalition, The Trust for Public Land, The Watershed Institute, VOLKsHouse LLC, Waterfront Alliance

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