NYCkayaker GRANTS TO SUPPORT HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY PROJECTS

[Marty Cohen]

Please excuse the length of this email, but some of you might find subjects
of interest herein.

 

Marty Cohen

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 12, 2006 

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT HUDSON RIVER
ESTUARY PROJECTS 

 

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that more than $1.4 million in
Hudson River Estuary grants for 34 community projects in the Hudson River
Valley region to enhance public use and enjoyment of the Hudson River, clean
up pollution, promote environmental stewardship and education, and help to
preserve the natural resources of the Hudson River Estuary and its
tributaries and watersheds. 

The Governor also announced the acquisition of MiddleGround Flats Island, a
212-acre parcel located near the middle of the Hudson River between the
Village of Athens, Greene County, and the City of Hudson, Columbia County,
that will provide additional opportunities for recreation, habitat
protection, and resource conservation. 

"New York State has made significant strides in protecting and restoring the
Hudson River, and we remain firmly committed to ensuring that this historic
waterway is healthy and accessible," Governor Pataki said. "We have made
significant progress in improving the river's overall water quality, which
has helped to protect critical aquatic habitats, while also enhancing
opportunities for people to enjoy recreational activities like fishing,
boating and swimming. 

"Today, we are awarding more than $1.4 million to local governments and
not-for-profit organizations to support restoration and educational projects
that will improve the quality of the Hudson River," the Governor said.
"These investments, along with the acquisition of MiddleGround Flats Island,
will help to ensure that the Hudson River continues to be one of the Empire
State's most treasured natural resources." 

Congresswoman Sue Kelly said, "Protecting the Hudson River that defines our
region must always be a foremost priority in our communities and at all
levels of government. These joint initiatives with local municipalities and
community groups help protect our natural resources, preserve open space,
and ensure a cleaner and more accessible Hudson River. I applaud Governor
Pataki for making another strong commitment to our environment and Hudson
River." 

Senator William J. Larkin said, "These grants will ultimately lead to more
people enjoying our wonderful, local, natural resources. There are very
important local projects underway that will help clean up pollution, promote
environmental stewardship and education, and help to preserve the facilities
of our local waterfronts, their tributaries, and watersheds." 

Senator Vincent L. Leibell said, "Under Governor Pataki's strong
environmental leadership, New York's Hudson River has been revitalized. This
crucial and beautiful waterway has served the State, as a major
transportation route and as a source of great enjoyment. I am pleased to see
this firm commitment to providing community's with the funds they need to
continue these important projects to enhance the Hudson River." 

Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill said, "These grants are a significant step in
our coming to terms with the abundance of natural beauty that surrounds us.
Just as the recent Scenic Byway designation and New York State's acquisition
of the Awosting Reserve signify this realization, these monies will be a
boon to efforts to preserve this natural beauty and enhance opportunities
for both visitors and residents to enjoy all that our region has to offer." 

This grant program funds community projects that implement priority goals
set forth in the Hudson River Estuary Action Plan, which was developed in
1996 and updated with the recently released 2005-2009 Estuary Action Agenda.
In the past 10 years, New York State has provided more than $370 million in
support of the program goals for the restoration, cleanup, and protection of
the Hudson River Estuary and its surrounding watershed lands. 

The awards announced today are the eighth in a series of grants provided to
municipalities and not-for-profit organizations located within the
geographic boundaries of the Hudson River Estuary, which includes the
counties of Westchester, Dutchess, New York, Albany, Greene, Orange, Bronx,
Ulster, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Columbia and Rensselaer. 

The grants contribute to the revitalization and protection of the Hudson
River and are awarded in five categories: 11 grants totaling $420,000 for
community-based river interpretation centers and education projects; 7
grants totaling $165,000 for community habitat conservation and stewardship;
4 grants totaling $250,000 for open space planning, inventory, and
acquisition; 5 grants totaling $203,000 for watershed planning and
implementation; and 7 grants totaling $385,750 for river access, including
boating, fishing, swimming, hunting, hiking and river watching. 

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M.
Sheehan said, "Since the estuary grant program began in 1999, New York State
has provided more than $8.3 million to our partners for various restoration
and enhancement projects for the Hudson River. This program has been proven
successful and Governor Pataki and DEC are dedicated to continuing the
environmental, recreational and economic progress these grants are making
for the benefit of all of New York State." 

DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program develops the scientific information
needed for management of natural resources, provides technical assistance
and training along with various public outreach activities and organizes
programs and partnerships to foster the recovery of the Hudson River to its
full potential. The program collaborates with State and federal agencies,
local governments, and other involved groups and organizations to improve
the estuary and its surrounding watershed lands. 

The Hudson River Estuary Program is funded by annual appropriations from the
State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), federal funds, and other sources.

 

The acquisition of MiddleGround Flats Island will help to fulfill several
Hudson River Estuary Program goals, including enhancing public use and
enjoyment of the river and its shoreline and habitats. The undeveloped
island contains more than four miles of river frontage and has a mix of
uplands, marsh, and sandy beaches, as well as spectacular views of the
Catskill Mountains. 

The State will acquire the island from Greene County for $254,400, using
Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The DEC will manage the property to
promote habitat and resource conservation, and recreational access to the
river. 

Recipients of Hudson River Estuary Grants are: 

Community Interpretive Centers and Education Projects 

*     Beczak Environmental Education Center, Westchester County - $30,000

"HudsOnline": The project will install water quality monitoring equipment in
Beczak's tidal marsh, and provide data to the public through a new
educational website. 

*     Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc., Dutchess County - $50,000

"Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning" Program: The project
will establish a model educational partnership with Poughkeepsie's Middle
School and local non-profit educational and cultural organizations. 

*     Wildlife Conservation Society, New York County - $35,000 The

Mannahatta Project: The project will digitally reconstruct Manhattan's
topography at the time of Henry Hudson's arrival and generate visualizations
of its historic habitats for comparison to present conditions. It will be
used as an educational tool for the upcoming Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial commemoration. 

*     Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany County - $20,000

The Hudson River: Symbol of America: Funds will support planning for a
portion of a major exhibition and publication entitled "Hudson River and the
Natural Environment," celebrating the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial. 

*     The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, Dutchess County -

$40,000

Multimedia Exhibit on Hudson Commercial Fishing History: The project will
create an online and traveling exhibit. 

*     Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene Co., Greene County - $25,000

Watershed Education Network: Funds will be used to coordinate educators,
sites, curriculum, and equipment to teach students about the ecological
roles of watersheds and their importance in protecting water quality. 

*     Mid-Hudson's Children's Museum, Dutchess County - $35,000

Riverfront Field Education Site: The Children's Museum will expand its
services as a river field station and will also install water quality
monitoring equipment. 

*     Institute for Ecosystem Studies, Dutchess County - $30,000

The Changing Hudson II: Web-based Tools Linking Students & Scientists:
Funding will broaden the scope, assessment, and dissemination of a pilot,
web-based curriculum exploring ecological change in the Hudson. 

*     Black Rock Forest Consortium, Orange/New York/ Bronx Counties -

$30,000

Hands-on Experience in the Arts & Sciences in the HR Estuary for NYC

Schoolchildren:

The project will use science and art activities in intensive work with New
York City schoolchildren to develop understanding of watersheds and
estuaries of the Hudson. 

*     South Street Seaport Museum, New York County - $25,000

Living Harbor Wet Lab: Museum will expand educational programming capacity
at the Lab, hiring new staff, developing new teaching initiatives, and
upgrading equipment. 

*     Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, Dutchess County - $100,000

Easement for Use of Pavilion: Funds will assist the Museum in buying out the
lease on a portion of its property to allow expansion of river programs at a
large open pavilion on the water. 

Community Habitat Conservation and Stewardship Projects 

*     Westchester Land Trust, Westchester County - $10,000

Partnerships to Protect Habitats: Funds will help to secure conservation
easements on biologically important lands in Westchester County. 

*     Towns of Gardiner and Shawangunk, Ulster County - $30,000

Mapping of Habitats: Project will establish an intermunicipal partnership to
map significant habitats in both towns. 

*     Mohonk Preserve, Ulster County - $30,000

Green Assets Habitat Conservation and Outreach Project: The project will
inform local officials about open space and comprehensive planning in seven
towns surrounding the Shawangunk Ridge. 

*     NYC Audubon, Kings/New York/Bronx/Queens/Richmond Counties - $20,000

Island Habitat Conservation Initiative: The project is to inventory critical
bird nesting habitat for conservation on New York Harbor Islands. 

*     Greene County Land Trust - $30,000

Community Grassland Conservation: The program will work with several public
and private partners to educate landowners and the community about the
benefits of grassland conservation and develop an incentive-based, voluntary
program for landowners to manage their land for grassland conservation. 

*     Town of Cortlandt, Westchester County - $15,000

Oscawana Island/McAndrews Property Bio-diversity Study: This project will
map habitat on a 75-acre property for the town of Cortlandt. 

*     Glynwood Center, Orange/Dutchess/Columbia Counties - $30,000

Protected Agricultural Land Resource Survey: The project will create GIS
maps of land protected under agricultural easements/ownership and develop
conservation management plans. 

Open Space Acquisition/Planning Projects 

*     Wallkill Valley Land Trust, Ulster County - $100,000

Two Farms Campaign: The project will support acquisition of two conservation
easements for the Jewett and Huguenot Street Farms, totaling 181 acres along
the Wallkill River. 

*     Town/Village of Athens, Greene County - $25,000

Community Land Inventory and Open Space Plan: This project will inventory
open space lands and develop and implement an open space plan for the town
and village combined. 

*     Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County - $25,000

Open Space/Biodiversity Inventory: This funds a study of undeveloped and
open parcels of fewer than 50 acres. This project is a continuation of an
open space/ biodiversity assessment project for the Town and will identify
and map ecologically significant habitats throughout the study area and
prepare large-format maps and report for use by town agencies. 

*     Town of LaGrange, Dutchess County - $100,000

Purchase of development rights for Pierson farm: The entire property,
identified as ecologically significant to the Fishkill and Sprout Creek
Corridors, will protect habitat and water quality. 

Watershed Planning and Implementation Projects 

*     Cornell Cooperative Extension /Cornell University, Orange County -

$50,000

Stormwater Management Services Project: The grant will be used to implement
a partnership with the landscaping community to reduce runoff and adopt best
management practices. 

*     Scenic Hudson, Dutchess County - $47,000

Fostering Inter-municipal Cooperation and Community Involvement in the
Fallkill Watershed: This project will implement conservation strategies
identified in the Fallkill Watershed Management Plan. 

*     American Rivers, Orange County - $23,000

Moodna Creek Dam Removal Study: The project will create a feasibility study
for the removal of the lowermost dam on the Moodna Creek. 

*     Groundwork Yonkers, Westchester County - $40,000

Intermunicipal Implementation: State of the Watershed: The project will
collect land use information within the Saw Mill River Watershed to inform
better decision-making, through cooperative efforts with the Saw Mill River
Coalition, a watershed alliance of businesses, municipalities, and
nonprofits in Westchester County. 

*     Town of Hurley,Ulster County - $43,000

Lower Esopus Watershed and Stewardship Project: The grant will fund an
investigation of the Lower Esopus watershed to identify and minimize the
causes of flooding along the stream corridor. 

River Access Projects 

*     Children's Museum of Science and Technology, Rensselaer County -

$18,000

Nature Trail Access and Improvements: The planning project will improve
access and management of the existing, underutilized trail network in the
500-acre RPI Technology Park. 

*     Village of Tarrytown,Westchester County - $25,000

Design of Scenic Hudson Riverwalk Park: The project will create a conceptual
design for the park. 

*     Village of Athens - Greene County - $82,500

Fourth St. Canoe/Kayak Launch Improvements - The project funds the
rehabilitation of the launch site, including bulk heading, parking, floating
docks, lighting, signage and walkway. 

*     City of Kingston, Ulster County - $95,250

Improvements at Kingston Point Beach: The grant will be used to upgrade a
restroom holding tank and construct a gazebo to provide for additional use
of the facility. 

*     Friends of Clermont, Inc., Columbia County - $25,000

Access and Restoration Feasibility Study, Clermont Dock: The project will
fund design work for the restoration of the historic dock at Clermont, with
access over the railroad via a bridge and elevator. 

*     Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc., Greene County - $90,000

Access Improvements at Four Mile Point Preserve: The grant will be use to
stabilize and improve 250 feet of shoreline and create access and storage
for non-motorized boats, picnic tables, and other site amenities. 

*     Village of Tivoli, Dutchess County - $50,000

Floating Docks, Tivoli Waterfront: This project will install floating docks
for canoe and kayak launching. 

 

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