Hundreds rally for clean water in Delaware

Nearly 200 people rallied in Dover June 6 to urge state leaders to support additional funding for clean water initiatives during the third annual Clean Water Rally.

The rally was part of the Clean Water: Delaware’s Clear Choice campaign, a statewide outreach and education effort focused on securing additional funding for clean water, and came on the heels of the release of the Clean Water and Flood Abatement Task Force report that outlines where investment is needed and proposes a new funding source for clean water.

“Thanks to the work of the task force, we know where the water quality and flooding problems are in Delaware and we know how to truly address these issues head on,” said Brenna Goggin, director of Advocacy for Delaware Nature Society. “Now it’s up to us to implement the recommendations in the task force report and dedicate additional funding to clean water and flood abatement programs. Right now our water quality issues are manageable, but if we continue to ‘kick the can down the road’ we’re only leaving a larger issue for future generations.”

After gathering outside Legislative Hall, citizen advocates spoke with Gov. John Carney and state legislators to explain why clean water funding is personally important to them.

Rally attendees included Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride, D- Hawk’s Nest, state Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin, academic experts on clean water, conservationists, community leaders, industry representatives and residents.

"Nothing affects our everyday lives, our economy and our environment more than water quality,” said Townsend, co-chair of the task force. “When we don’t make clean water a priority, we’re saying our health and our economy aren’t priorities either.”

The rally, which has grown in size each year, also included remarks from McBride and Garvin as well as more than 20 exhibitors providing information on local watersheds and water quality, Natalie’s Fine Food Food Truck and face painting.

The rally was sponsored by Speakman, Corrado Construction Company, Pennoni Associates Inc., The Williams Law Firm, DRPR Strategies, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Tidewater Utilities and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

For more about the Clean Water: Delaware’s Clear Choice campaign, go to cleanwaterdelaware.org.