EPA Plans to Finalize Water Quality Standards to Protect Critical Fish Species and Clean Up the Water in the Delaware River
This action under the Clean Water Act will bolster fishing and economic opportunities
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will notify the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of its intent to finalize a rule revising outdated water quality standards for 38 miles of the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Wilmington. 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 (DRBC) 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.
Learn more about EPA’s proposed water quality standards for the Delaware River.