The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced the 2026 Discretionary Budget to the Senate—a proposal that would slash $977 million from the National Park Service. Among the cuts: all federal funding for the Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers program, which includes both designated Wild & Scenic sections of the Farmington River.
This funding supports everything from conservation and water quality monitoring to education and public access. Without it, critical programs like E. coli monitoring, nutrient pollution tracking, streamflow analysis, and youth internships may disappear. It would also defund the efforts of the Farmington River Coordinating Committee and the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Committee.
These proposed cuts don’t stop there. The budget also aims to:
Cut $2.4 billion from EPA Clean & Drinking Water funds
Slash $198 million from BLM conservation programs
Remove $392 million from National Forest System management, prioritizing logging, mining, and grazing over habitat and water protection
This budget signals a clear shift away from protecting clean water, fish habitat, and public lands—and toward resource extraction. We cannot let this happen quietly.
What You Can Do:
Contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose these devastating cuts. Remind them that clean water and healthy rivers are not optional—they are essential.
Connecticut & Massachusetts Senators:
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT): (202) 224-2823 – Email
Sen. Chris Murphy (CT): (202) 224-4041 – Email
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA): (202) 224-4543 – Email
Sen. Ed Markey (MA): (202) 224-2742 – Email
If you live outside CT or MA, find your Senator here.
Suggested Message:
Dear respected Sir or Madam,
I respectfully request that you support the continuation of National Parks Service, US Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Bureau of Land Management funding in appropriations for the 2026 Federal Budget. As a resident under your jurisdiction, I strongly disagree with the current Administration's priorities of utilizing our natural resources for timber production and mining. Our forests and rivers provide critical public health services through temperature regulation, flood protection, and clean drinking water. A vote to disassemble the organizations responsible for protecting these resources is a vote against the well-being of the American people.
Let’s defend the Farmington and rivers like it nationwide. Your voice matters—please speak up today.