WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Reps. Greg Stanton and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania re-introduced the bipartisan Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act, legislation to formally authorize an Environmental Protection Agency-led partnership that supports improvements to our nation’s waterways and drives urban renewal.
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership works to reconnect communities to open spaces, as well as spur private investment and job creation. The Rio Reimagined project in metro Phoenix was officially added to the partnership in September 2020.
“The revitalization of the Rio Salado is one of the most consequential projects in our state today, and I’m incredibly proud––first as a mayor and now as a member of Congress––to have worked on it for more than a decade now,” said Stanton. “The support of the federal government is critical to restore this ecosystem, protect our water supply and provide continued opportunities for economic growth.”
The Delaware River Watershed—touching Philadelphia and Chester, Pennsylvania as well as parts of New Jersey and Delaware—joined the Urban Waters Partnership as a designated location in 2012.
"Investing in and working to reinvigorate the waterways in Bucks and Montgomery counties is essential to the protection of our most cherished natural resources,” said Fitzpatrick. "I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act, which will ensure the federal government continues to take meaningful steps to support improvements to the waterways in our community, like the Delaware River, and for others just like it across the nation.”
During his time as Phoenix mayor, Stanton worked with Sen. John McCain, Rep. Ed Pastor, other Valley mayors and tribal leaders to rehabilitate the Salt River. Under Stanton’s leadership, Phoenix made many investments along the river, including funding a $120 million project to turn the swath of riverbed between 24th Street and 19th Avenue into a riparian area and restoring the Tres Rios Wetlands, a 700-acre wetland and tertiary water reclamation facility.
Stanton—the only Arizona member on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure—has continued his advocacy in Congress. In December of 2024, Stanton secured $215 million for the Tres Rios Wetlands ecosystem, allowing the remaining phases of the project to be build after more than a decade of delays.
He’d previously secured $1.8 million in federal funds to expedite completion of a report needed to continue construction of the Tres Rios ecosystem restoration project and $800,000 for Rio Salado Oeste, each of which are components of Rio Reimagined.