EPA’s Delaware River plan eases deregulation fears
New Water Standards Show EPA Still Cares
On April 1, 2025, the EPA announced plans to finalize stricter water quality standards for a 38-mile stretch of the Delaware River, calming concerns of total deregulation. Targeting a region from Philadelphia to Wilmington, the rule protects endangered fish like sturgeon and boosts water cleanliness, countering worries that the agency might abandon environmental oversight altogether.
Replacing outdated 1967 standards, the update focuses on dissolved oxygen to aid fish survival and growth, supporting fishing, ecotourism, and local economies in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin tied this to his “Great American Comeback Initiative,” signaling continued commitment to clean water.
This move, following a 2022 review and public input, shows the EPA isn’t gutting regulations but refining them for ecological and community benefit--reassurance for those fearing a free-for-all rollback.
