(Washington, DC) – Late last week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) visited Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Whitefield to meet with environmental stakeholders and visit the Pondicherry Wildlife Sanctuary following the introduction of her legislation, the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA).
“Supporting waterways—like the Connecticut River—provides tremendous economic, environmental and recreational benefits and as climate change increases the severity and frequency of flooding, it’s important as ever to better protect our wetlands and watersheds,” said Shaheen. “I met with stakeholders to hear how my Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act can help promote and fund restoration and protection efforts in the Connecticut River Watershed, as well as provide vital resources for communities throughout the region.”
“The Connecticut River and its extensive watershed is a key component of the natural, cultural and economic identity of our region,” said Jim O’Brien, Deputy State Director for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire. “The Nature Conservancy thanks Senator Shaheen for her leadership in sponsoring the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act, legislation modeled in the New Hampshire tradition of leveraging the diverse interests of the public and private sectors for collective action. By working together to protect and restore the Connecticut River watershed, we are investing in the economic health and resiliency of our communities.”
The Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act would direct restoration and protection efforts of the 5-State Connecticut River Watershed region and establish a voluntary grant program to facilitate these activities. This collaborative effort will benefit fish and wildlife habitats, protect drinking water sources, enhance flood resilience and help promote access to the Watershed’s public spaces, particularly for excluded and marginalized communities.