[Press Release: Claremont, NH, 3/20/25] The Connecticut River Conservancy’s (CRC) 11.5M federal award from the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), implemented through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has been stalled due to the federal funding freeze with no clear path for starting work that was slated to begin this spring.
The objectives are to restore degraded stream and forest ecosystems in parts of New Hampshire in order to improve water quality, ecosystem health, and climate resiliency. This award, which was funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), has been frozen due to ongoing federal administration deliberations over IRA-related funding allocations. It is titled Improving Water Quality and Climate Resiliency in NH through Ecosystem Restoration and was first announced in November 2024 as the largest award in the nonprofit’s history.
CRC has been at the forefront of conservation and restoration in the Connecticut River watershed for over 70 years. We believe that our work is critical to New Hampshire’s economy and health, by providing jobs in local communities and implementing projects that improve water quality and species biodiversity, restore aquatic ecosystems and critical fish habitat, enhance climate and flood resiliency, and contribute to economic sustainability, particularly in rural areas.
“By restoring floodplains, reconnecting rivers to their natural channels, and improving habitat for migratory fish and other wildlife, we not only enhance our shared natural resources but also buffer communities from the increased frequency and severity of storms and flooding” says Rebecca Todd, Executive Director at the Connecticut River Conservancy.
Like many environmental non-profits, our conservation work is heavily reliant on grants, of which federal funding is an important part. Federal funds allow us to conduct outreach, engage with local landowners, hire local consultants and contractors, and implement restoration projects across the Connecticut River watershed. They also allow us to hire more staff members in NH, who contribute to our towns and local economies. Having been awarded the RCPP in November 2024 and signed a programmatic partnership agreement in December 2024, we were shocked when our award was put on “temporary pause.” This pause has now lasted over 6 weeks, leading to uncertainties for CRC, our partners, landowners, and other stakeholders.
On January 21st, NRCS administrators were delivered a notice to cease all work funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) due to Executive Order 14154 issued by the Trump administration and Memorandums to the Head of Departments and Agencies (M-25-11; M-25-13). The delay in funding presents a significant challenge for CRC and directly impacts farmers, communities, and the environment across the state. Without the timely release of the RCPP funds, we are unable to initiate many of the planned restoration projects that would have begun in Spring 2025. Halting these projects risks missing key seasonal windows for certain restoration activities, leading to prolonged degradation of habitats and further delaying the economic and environmental benefits to the state.
CRC has sent a letter to Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan, Representative Maggie Goodlander, Representative Chris Pappas, Governor Kelly Ayotte, select members of the US House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and other state officials to make them aware of how federal decisions are affecting local communities and respectfully asking for their support to ensure this funding is promptly released so that we can continue our essential work for New Hampshire’s ecosystems and communities, and private landowners. The freeze on this $11.5 million is a major setback, and we are asking for legislative leadership to help release these important grant monies in support of our economy, clean water, flood safety, and habitat diversity projects.
If there are actions that New Hampshire’s delegation can take, whether through advocacy within the administration or legislative means, we urge them to do so. Additionally, we ask for support in ensuring that appropriations for migratory fish conservation are included in upcoming federal legislation, as these resources are critical to many of our projects aimed at restoring fish populations and aquatic health in New Hampshire.
For questions about this announcement:
Marilla Harris-Vincent
River Steward for New Hampshire
Connecticut River Conservancy
(603) 503-0419 mharrisvincent@ctriver.org
Lauren Zielinski
Stream Restoration Specialist, RCPP Project Manager
Connecticut River Conservancy
(603) 325-7022 lzielinski@ctriver.org
Rebecca Todd
Executive Director
Connecticut River Conservancy
(413) 834-9457 rtodd@ctriver.org
For general inquiries:
Diana Chaplin
Communications Director
Connecticut River Conservancy
(413) 834-0079 dchaplin@ctriver.org
About the Connecticut River Conservancy:
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and tributary streams since 1952. Their programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Together through community engagement and education, they’re dedicated to ensuring equitable access and healthy rivers for all. Learn more at ctriver.org.