Skip to content

Shaheen Introduces Bill to Direct Restoration and Protection Efforts of the 5-State Connecticut River Watershed Region

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is reintroducing the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA), which would formalize a partnership between federal, state, local and private entities to promote conservation, restoration, education and recreation efforts in the Watershed 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. U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (MA-02) leads a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

“The Connecticut River and its watershed are a vibrant part of New England’s landscape, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, supplying safe drinking water for our communities and spurring tourism that contributes to the whole region’s economy,” said Senator Shaheen. “Only by working together at the federal, state and local level can we effectively protect and preserve this critical environmental and economic resource—and that’s just the kind of partnership this legislation would create.”

The Connecticut River, New England’s longest river, drains a 7.2-million-acre watershed across five New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Watershed is home to 396 communities and provides multiple environmental and economic benefits to diverse stakeholders and industries, including fisheries, farming, hunting, recreation, boating and tourism. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge encompasses the entire Watershed and is the only refuge of its kind in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Specifically, the CRWPA would:

  • Require the Secretary of Interior to establish a non-regulatory Watershed Partnership Program intended to identify, prioritize and implement restoration and protection activities within the Watershed in consultation with federal, state, local and non-profit stakeholders;
  • Create a grant and technical assistance program for state and local governments; tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations; institutions of higher education; and other eligible entities for activities in the Watershed;
  • Implement a 75% Federal cost share for the grant program, except where the Secretary determines a larger cost share is appropriate; and
  • Ensure other activities conducted by the Secretary in the Watershed would supplement, not supplant activities carried out by the partnership program.

The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of more than 50 public and private organizations throughout New England, including the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership. Along with Shaheen, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Peter Welch (D-VT).

"Thanks to Senator Shaheen and Congressman McGovern for supporting the Connecticut River watershed, the largest in New England, and the many communities that call this special place home," said Markelle Smith, Director of the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership, formerly the Friends of Conte. "The Act memorializes the commitment of multiple public and private stakeholders to work together to enhance drinking water resources and the outdoor recreation economy in our region."

“Paddlers, hikers, hunters, fishers, and anyone who enjoys recreation anywhere along the beautiful Connecticut River will benefit from the legislation just introduced to build partnerships and investment for the future of this critical watershed, home to 2.4 million people,” said Nicole Zussman, President and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “We are thankful for the leadership of conservation champions Rep. Jim McGovern and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who have been longtime partners in AMC’s mission to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors.”

Full bill text is available here.

Shaheen has led efforts to safeguard our natural environment and invest in climate resiliency while boosting New Hampshire’s recreation economy. Shaheen led the bipartisan Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act into law to require the federal government to measure the impact of the outdoor recreation on the economy. In November 2024, Shaheen applauded the release of an annual report showing a $1.2 trillion economic contribution by the outdoor recreation sector in 2023, including $3.9 billion in New Hampshire. Shaheen also helped reintroduce the Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Act to fuel investment in outdoor recreation in national forests that benefits mountain communities.

Shaheen has also led efforts to help secure full funding and permanent authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which has helped protect more than 2.5 million acres of land and supported tens of thousands of state and local outdoor recreation projects throughout the nation. In 2020, Shaheen helped lead the Great American Outdoors Act into law to permanently fund the LWCF and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands. 

###

Previous