{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-leads-new-england-lawmakers-in-supporting-national-blueways", "Kuster Leads New England Lawmakers In Supporting National Blueways Program, Urging Interior Secretary to Visit Connecticut River", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "NH", "Ann Kuster", "K000382", "kuster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "National Blueways System (NBS) helps coordinate federal, state, and local partners to encourage stewardship of rivers; earlier this year, Interior Secretary put a hold on the program\nAs Secretary Jewell makes a decision about the NBS\u2019s future, Kuster and lawmakers urge her to visit the Connecticut River \u2013 the country\u2019s only designated Blueway \u2013 to see the program\u2019s benefits first-hand\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) are leading a coalition of New England lawmakers in support of a federal program designed to encourage collaborative stewardship of our nation\u2019s rivers and watersheds. The National Blueways System (NBS) recognizes large river systems that are being protected and restored through stakeholder partnerships and aims to increase conservation of the watershed system through locally-driven voluntary collaboration. The Connecticut River is the first and currently only designated National Blueway in the country.\nThe lawmakers, representing New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, recently sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, who earlier this year placed a hold on any new Blueway designations as she reviews the program.\u00a0 In the letter, which was signed by all seventeen of the river\u2019s Representatives and Senators, the lawmakers highlighted the NBS\u2019s benefits and urged the Secretary to visit the Connecticut River as she makes a decision about the program\u2019s future. \u00a0\n\u201cWe believe that the success of the Connecticut River program \u2013 the first and currently only designated National Blueway \u2013 can provide valuable information and insights that will be critical to your decision-making process,\u201d Kuster, Murphy and the other lawmakers wrote. \u201cWe would encourage you to seek input from these important stakeholders prior to making any decisions on the future of the Blueways program. We believe that the Blueways designation for the Connecticut River can continue to function as an important asset for the people, the economy, and the environment of the watershed we represent.\u201d\nLaunched in 2012, the Blueways system aims to increase coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local stakeholders working to preserve rivers and watersheds around the country. Along the Connecticut River, the designation has helped to recruit new partners aiming to expand educational and recreational opportunities around the river, and it has helped draw new funding for preservation and improvement of the waterway, according to Patrick Comins, chairman of the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, an organization representing more than 50 national, regional, and local groups working on behalf of the Connecticut River watershed.\n\u201cThe Blueway has brought about additional interest in the watershed,\u201d Comins said. \u201cIt has brought additional partners and further investment. This designation has been a direct catalyst for those efforts.\u201d\nThe full text of the lawmakers\u2019 letter is below and attached:\nOctober 29, 2013\nDear Secretary Jewell:\nWe write today to thank you for your strong commitment to the preservation of America\u2019s natural treasures, and to express our support for the National Blueways Program.\u00a0\nWe understand that you are currently reviewing the future of the program, and that you have received an invitation from the Friends of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to meet and learn firsthand about their experiences working together to implement the Blueways Program in the Connecticut River basin.\u00a0 We believe that the success of the Connecticut River program \u2013 the first and currently only designated National Blueway \u2013 can provide valuable information and insights that will be critical to your decision-making process.\u00a0 We would encourage you to seek input from these important stakeholders prior to making any decisions on the future of the Blueways program.\nWe believe that the Blueways designation for the Connecticut River can continue to function as an important asset for the people, the economy, and the environment of the watershed we represent.\u00a0 Reconnecting people with their watershed through expanded access to recreation, water quality protection, and economic development are all enhanced by a watershed-focused approach to conservation.\nThank you again for your attention to this important matter.\u00a0 We stand ready to assist your effort however we are able.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kuster-leads-new-england-lawmakers-in-supporting-national-blueways"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7675439119338989, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}