HARRISBURG, PA — A fresh infusion of federal conservation funding is set to expand public access and outdoor recreation across Pennsylvania’s stretch of the Delaware River watershed, state officials announced.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will receive $500,000 in 2026 through the Delaware River Watershed Conservation Fund to support boating access improvements and recreation projects throughout the region. The grant, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with backing from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be matched with state funds and distributed as sub-grants to local governments and nonprofit partners.
Commission officials said the investment will strengthen public boating facilities and broaden opportunities for anglers, paddlers, and other outdoor users along the river and its tributaries.
“The Delaware River watershed is one of Pennsylvania’s greatest natural assets,” PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer said. He credited federal partners for continued investments aimed at improving access, advancing conservation, and expanding recreation across the region.
The award is part of a larger $4.3 million allocation benefiting Pennsylvania projects under the program in 2026, including efforts tied to multi-state partnerships throughout the watershed. With $4.7 million in required matching funds from partner organizations, the total investment in Pennsylvania projects will reach $9 million. Across Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, the program is distributing $12.5 million in 2026.
State officials noted the funding builds on a track record of sustained investment. Between 2020 and 2025, the Fish and Boat Commission received $2.1 million through the same fund, leveraging those grants into more than $12 million in total conservation and recreation investments throughout the Delaware River watershed.
The latest funding round is expected to roll out next year, with local projects advancing improvements designed to increase access to the river while supporting long-term stewardship of one of the region’s most significant waterways.
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