DEC Releases Draft Hudson River Estuary Action Plan

ALBANY, NY (01/25/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the release of the draft "Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2010-2014" for public comment.

"The State's Hudson River Estuary Program is helping to revitalize the Hudson River and its Valley," Commissioner Grannis said. "The Action Agenda is our blueprint for the next five years to clean our water, protect fish and wildlife habitats, address the impacts of climate change, and promote Hudson River recreation. We urge all interested parties to study the Action Agenda and provide us with input."

DEC's draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2010-2014 has been substantially updated in response to public comments initiated with the Hudson River Summit held at West Point in June 2009. The widely-attended summit included input from community groups, local officials, businesses and other participants who focused on their vision for the future and how partnerships can be expanded to achieve common goals for the river.

The Draft Action Agenda is available for download at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5104.html. (Details below on how to comment.)

This historic Hudson River provides important resources to millions of people in the New York City metropolitan area and the Hudson Valley region, including drinking water, recreation and commercial opportunities. The estuary also provides unique habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species that are threatened or endangered, or of significant recreational and commercial value.

After years of declining quality, the Hudson has made a remarkable recovery over the last four decades, DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis pointed out. Working with its partners, DEC Hudson River Estuary Program has taken action to protect and restore the estuary's natural resources and water quality. Wastewater treatment has been improved, globally rare wetland habitats have been protected, and new parks have given river access to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. "Yet more work is needed," the Commissioner said, "from keeping toxics out of the estuary to upgrading water infrastructure to increasing citizen stewardship. Development of the Action Agenda will help New York continue the comeback."

New areas of focus in the 2010-2014 Draft Agenda include:

• A new climate change goal that promotes the adoption of New York State's ClimateSmart Communities Pledge in Hudson Valley communities and identifies actions needed to help waterfront communities prepare for flooding from sea-level rise and strong storms.
• A pilot watershed management project that will encourage protection of streams and drinking water sources.
• A pilot project to improve coordination of management of existing state-owned property on or in sight of the Hudson to conserve scenery and habitats and support recreation.
• River access facilities for underserved communities and support for the New York State Clean Marina Program and Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Program.
• Incorporation of urban-greening, green infrastructure and smart-growth principles in local waterfront revitalization programs along with planning for future water and sewer infrastructure improvements and upgrades for aging systems in Hudson River Valley communities.
• Improved management of river sediment to address navigation and safety needs, as well as the ecological health of the river.
• Partnership in the Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System (HRECOS), a network of continuous monitoring stations geographically distributed from Schodack Island to the New York/New Jersey harbor to monitor river conditions.

A final version of the Action Agenda is targeted for release in April 2010.

Written comments on the draft may be submitted until Feb. 10. Comments can be sent via e-mail to hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please include the words "Draft Action Agenda" in the subject line) or by mail to: Action Agenda, Hudson River Estuary Program, NYSDEC Region 3 Office, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561.

More information about the Hudson River Estuary Program is available on the web at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html.