UPPER DELAWARE RIVER, NY and PA — The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) is accepting applications until April 24 for its 2026 River & Shoreline Clean-up Grants Program.

Since 2014, the UDC has disbursed a total of $56,439.61 in support of its member municipalities to organize clean-ups in the river and along the banks of their localities to help maintain the pristine quality of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

This year, the total program allocation will be capped at $4,500, including a $500 contribution from the Delaware River Basin Commission, due to the UDC’s budgetary challenges.

The UDC’s 13 members—the New York State Towns of Hancock, Fremont, Delaware, Cochecton, Tusten, Highland, Lumberland and Deerpark; and the Pennsylvania Townships of Berlin, Damascus, Lackawaxen, Shohola and Westfall—are eligible to submit proposals.

Priority is given to projects that get adult and youth volunteers involved, show local investment and reflect a commitment to become self-sustaining. Respect for private property rights is paramount during clean-ups.

Interested towns and townships must submit a letter to the UDC describing their project, an estimated budget with a breakdown for materials and services, the funding amount requested and contact information for a project leader.

The UDC’s Operations Committee will review applications at its April 28 meeting and the full Council will vote on the awards on May 7.

Successful applicants will have until September 11 to complete their projects and submit a request for reimbursement.

The UDC non-profit organization opts to share with its membership a portion of its federal operational funding that the National Park Service (NPS) allocates in the form of mini-grants for river sweeps and technical assistance projects.

The River & Shoreline Clean-up Grants Program began in 2014 after the NPS discontinued its direct contributions to municipalities for trash removal.

For more information, contact UDC Executive Director Laurie Ramie at (845) 252-3022 or laurie@upperdelawarecouncil.org.