EPA’s forthcoming final rule will prioritize clean water to support aquatic life and benefit those living, working and recreating in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“As part of my Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative to provide clean water for all Americans, EPA is committed to issuing updated water quality standards for this portion of the Delaware River,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “When finalized, this action will protect two species of endangered sturgeon and prove to be a boon for commercial and local fishing by also protecting American shad, striped bass and yellow perch.”
“EPA’s rule, when finalized, will support improved conditions for aquatic life in the Delaware River Estuary, and I am proud of the Delaware River Basin Commission’s sound scientific work in the process,” said Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, P.E., DRBC’s Executive Director. “The DRBC will continue to provide resources and expertise to our member states, EPA, and stakeholders to implement the rule.”
Water quality standards (WQS) describe the desired condition of a water body and the means by which that condition will be protected or achieved.
Water bodies can be used for purposes such as fishing, recreation (e.g. swimming and boating) and scenic enjoyment.
This action better aligns water quality standards in this urbanized portion of the Delaware river with standards that already exist upstream and downstream to better support cohesive water quality planning.
This section of the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Wilmington is where several commercially and recreationally important fish species live and spawn.
Making sure that all these oxygen-sensitive fish have adequate water quality that supports reproduction and growth will protect and increase their populations, which will bolster commercial and recreational fishing, job creation, and revenue in the ecotourism sector.
EPA is continuing to review and consider all the comments as the agency drafts the final rule.
EPA will provide responses to all public comments when the final rule is issued.
EPA intends to comply with all applicable and relevant Executive Orders when issuing this rule.
Click Here for the EPA announcement.
Visit EPA’s Delaware River Water Quality Standards webpage for more information.
Reaction
The Delaware Riverkeeper Network released this reaction to EPA's announcement--
“A lack of oxygen driven by too much pollution has had seriously harmful consequences for our Delaware River communities. It is important that the US EPA has announced it remains on track to issue improved water quality standards that will protect the Delaware River’s population of Atlantic Sturgeon and other ecologically, recreationally, and economically important species by ensuring they have the oxygen they need to not just survive, but to thrive,” says Maya K. van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
“EPA’s continuing commitment to data-driven scientific research and findings is essential for protecting the beautiful Delaware River, and aquatic life species that support, sustain, and enrich every aspect of the lives of the people who live in the Delaware River Watershed.
“The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is pleased that while other regulatory agencies have failed to advance essential science-based regulatory protections needed by our River and region to address the oxygen deficiencies caused by too much pollution, the EPA remains committed to these essential protections.”
Adds van Rossum, “The Delaware River is home to a genetically unique population of Atlantic Sturgeon that sits on the brink of extinction. Updated water quality standards are needed, and they are needed now!
“The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is pleased that the EPA remains on track to take the steps necessary to save our sturgeon from extinction so they can be enjoyed by the children and communities of today and the future generations to come. ”
“We are glad that EPA is continuing the work it began in 2022 when it first responded to Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s petition to revise the water quality standards in this ecologically significant stretch of the Delaware River,” says Kacy Manahan, Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s Senior Attorney. “We look forward to their prompt publication and implementation, and ultimately we look forward to the day that the Delaware River’s Atlantic sturgeon population is once again abundant.”.
The announcement by the US EPA confirms that the dissolved oxygen standards will be issued in a delayed but still timely fashion. Delaware Riverkeeper van Rossum adds, “the Delaware Riverkeeper Network looks forward to the day when we can celebrate and rely upon new dissolved oxygen standards that can help save our sturgeon from extinction, while at the same time supporting and enriching the lives of all of us.”
[Posted: April 1, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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