[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CARPER (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Booker, Mr. 
        Menendez, and Mr. Schumer):
  S. 3767. A bill to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for 
the Nation Act to reauthorize Delaware River Basin conservation 
programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce, along 
with the Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Casey, the Junior Senator from 
Delaware, Mr. Coons, the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Booker, the 
Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, and the Senator from New York, 
Mr. Schumer, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act 
of 2022.
  The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act became law as part of the 
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016. This 
legislation, which I was proud to lead, responded to the need for 
Federal, State, and local governments and regional partners to come 
together to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration activities 
within the Delaware River Basin. The legislation also created a 
nonregulatory grant program for which appropriations have flowed 
through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation has done an excellent job of working with the Fish 
and Wildlife Service to administer the Delaware Watershed Conservation 
Fund under the authority of this act.
  In just a few short years, this program has grown tremendously. To 
date, the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund has awarded more than 
$25 million to projects that support recreation, water quality, water 
management, and habitat. Grantees have matched that investment by a 
ratio of nearly 2 to 1--an impressive total conservation impact of over 
$70 million.
  This program is a great example of how when the government--at all 
levels--works with diverse suites of nongovernment stakeholders, we can 
achieve meaningful results on the ground that improve the lives of 
people and wildlife alike.
  For example, the program has funded several diverse projects in 
Delaware, including installing pollinator gardens at places of worship, 
removing a dam in White Clay Creek, improving fish passage in the 
Brandywine River, and restoring wetlands at our national wildlife 
refuges. These restoration efforts protect the species we love, clean 
up our drinking water, and provide a boost to local tourism.
  The legislation I am introducing today would reauthorize the Delaware 
River Basin Conservation Act and make some minor improvements to allow 
even better results on the ground throughout the Delaware River 
Watershed. This reauthorization has clear benefits for our environment 
and economy--a win-win for Delaware and our region.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important 
legislation this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the 
bill I am introducing today appear in the Record following my 
statement.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3767

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Delaware River Basin 
     Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022''.

     SEC. 2. DELAWARE RIVER BASIN CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Cost Sharing.--Section 3504(c)(1) of the Water 
     Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 
     114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Federal share'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Federal share''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the Federal 
     share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program 
     that serves a small, rural, or disadvantaged community shall 
     be 90 percent of the total cost of the project, as determined 
     by the Secretary.
       ``(ii) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal 
     share under clause (i) to 100 percent of the total cost of 
     the project if the Secretary determines that the grant 
     recipient is unable to pay, or would experience significant 
     financial hardship if required to pay, the non-Federal 
     share.''.
       (b) Repeal of Prohibition on Use of Funds for Federal 
     Acquisition of Interests in Land.--Section 3506 of the Water 
     Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 
     114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is repealed.
       (c) Sunset.--Section 3507 of the Water Infrastructure 
     Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114-322; 130 
     Stat. 1775) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
     ``2030''.
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