New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced
Summary
Coordinated watershed restoration program. This bill would create a nonregulatory New York–New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program to plan, fund, and coordinate habitat, water-quality, and climate-resilience projects across the watershed while prioritizing communities facing environmental injustice.
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- Communities and recreation: The program emphasizes outreach, education, workforce development, and improved public access and recreation, with special prioritization for environmental justice communities.
- Local, Tribal, State governments and nonprofits: A competitive grant program would provide matching grants to eligible entities. The Federal share is up to 50 percent generally, 90 percent for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities, and can reach 100 percent if a recipient cannot pay non‑Federal costs.
- Ecosystems, science, and climate resilience: The program would fund planning, feasibility studies, green infrastructure and living shorelines, monitoring, and science capacity to restore fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality.
The bill authorizes $20 million per year for 2026 through 2031, with at least 75 percent of each year's funding going to grants and no more than 5 percent for administration.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for New York–New Jersey watershed projects
If enacted, Interior would offer competitive grants within 180 days for watershed projects by states, Tribes, cities, nonprofits, and colleges. The federal share would cover up to 50% of costs, 90% if the work serves a small, rural, or disadvantaged community, and up to 100% if the recipient cannot pay. Non‑federal partners could meet their share with cash or in‑kind help. Congress would authorize $20 million each year from FY2026–FY2031, with at least 75% for grants and up to 5% for admin; funds would add to, not replace, other work. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation could run the program, and grants would sunset October 1, 2031.
New watershed program for New York–New Jersey
Within 180 days, Interior would set up a nonregulatory program to restore and protect the New York–New Jersey watershed. It would work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and regional partners. It would support habitat, cleaner water, natural climate solutions, and green infrastructure, with a focus on communities facing environmental injustice. The Secretary could carry out projects under approved local and regional plans. The program would end on October 1, 2031.
Bought land would go to local groups
Upon enactment, the federal government would not keep land bought under this Act. Any land acquired would need to be promptly transferred to eligible state, Tribal, or local governments, nonprofits, colleges, or other groups. This would favor local control of restored sites. The rule would last until October 1, 2031.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Kean
NJ • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Sherrill
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Conaway
NJ • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov