Hill Day 2025: Advocating for the Future of the Delaware River Basin

March 18, 2025| Advocacy, Environment, People

By: Marty Kane

Last week, I had the privilege of representing the Lake Hopatcong Foundation at the twelfth annual Hill Day on in Washington, D.C., alongside about 40 other members of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW). Hill Day is an important opportunity for us to come together and advocate for legislation and funding that support the conservation and restoration of the Delaware River Watershed, which includes Lake Hopatcong.

This year, I led one of seven teams visiting congressional offices to make the case for continued investment in the watershed. Our group met with staff from the offices of Representatives Mikie Sherrill, Tom Kean Jr., Josh Gottheimer, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, as well as Senator Cory Booker. Each meeting focused on securing ongoing support for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program (DRBRP), a critical initiative that funds projects to improve water quality, restore wildlife habitat, and expand public access.

Hill Day began with opening remarks from Congresswoman Sherrill, co-chair of the bipartisan Delaware River Watershed Caucus. She spoke about the need for collaboration in protecting this vital natural resource, which defines our region and provides clean drinking water, recreation, and essential wildlife habitat.

During our meetings, we highlighted the impact of investments in the DRBRP, which have created 268 jobs, restored 77 miles of streams, expanded public access by 6,141 acres, enhanced 1,176 acres of wetlands, and improved 32,522 acres of forest across the watershed’s 13,539 square miles spanning four states. Continued investment in the DRBRP is essential to preserving this vast and diverse ecosystem, ensuring clean water, healthy habitats, and a thriving watershed for generations to come

The response from congressional offices was encouraging. We had meaningful discussions about the progress made, the challenges ahead, and the importance of maintaining federal support. It’s clear that our collective advocacy is making a difference, and we remain committed to protecting Lake Hopatcong and the entire watershed.

A big thank you to the CDRW for organizing this important day and for their continued leadership in advocating for the health of our watershed.

Representatives from The Watershed Institute, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, New Jersey Audubon, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Outdoors On Purpose, and National Parks Conservation Association met with Congressman Tom Kean during the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed's Hill Day on March 12, 2025. 

Upper left photo: Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, co-chair of the bipartisan Delaware River Watershed Caucus, and Marty Kane, chair of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation at the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed's Hill Day on March 12, 2025.