WEST MOUNTAIN, GLENS FALLS, NY. JAMES BLEECKER ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS 2001 Messages from the President and Board Chair 1 A Victory for the Hyde Park Heritage Corridor and Regional Economy 2 Making Waves on the River in a Nationally Significant Cause 4 Turning Industrial Wastelands into Riverfront Gems 6 Continuing Leadership in Power Plant and Reindustrialization Issues 8 Closing the Barn Door on Sprawl by Saving Agricultural Landscapes 10 Land Preservation Milestones 12 Riverfront Communities Milestones 14 Environmental Quality Milestones 16 Communications & Public Outreach Milestones 18 Scenic Hudson Volunteers 20 Development Milestones 22 Scenic Hudson Supporters 24 Financial Overview 29 Staff 32 Board of Directors 33 ANNUAL REPORT2001 Messages from the PRESIDENT and BOARD CHAIR Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds, the ebb and flow of tides, the folded bud ready for spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after the night and spring after the winter. Rachel Carson – biologist, writer and ecologist achel he new Carson’s millen- Rwords T nium has are as meaning- been met by a ful today as they powerful evolu- were at the tion at Scenic TOM LIGAMARI TOM LIGAMARI dawn of the Hudson. Our modern environmental movement, which she inspired. capacity to affect the future of the valley has doubled Scenic Hudson, Inc.’s efforts during the past year car- in two years, steadily accelerating our work in open ried forward a commitment to our mission and the spir- space preservation, riverfront community revitalization it of her work. We made important strides in advancing and environmental quality. the cleanup of toxic PCBs in the Hudson River. We Creative and complex initiatives are being carried worked with citizens and other groups to protect the out by our highly motivated staff, visionary manage- natural systems and heritage of our valley from massive, ment team and deeply committed board. By crossing new industrial and power facilities. And we continued traditional boundaries between Scenic Hudson, other preserving breathtaking landscapes and strengthening organizations and local communities, this team is community centers amidst the threats of sprawl. changing the way business is done. We remain dedicated to giving citizens a voice in With every success and looming challenge, we enjoy ensuring that the repeated refrains of nature will con- tremendous assistance from government, donors and tinue to provide their healing powers in the place we volunteers. Our appreciation is boundless. love, the Hudson Valley. Ned Sullivan, president Marjorie L. Hart, chair of the board 1 VICTORY A Victory for the Hyde Park HERITAGE CORRIDOR AND REGIONAL ECONOMY For his courageous leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, Franklin Delano Roosevelt remains one of our most respected presidents. His legacy makes the F.D.R Home, Library and Museum in the Village of Hyde Park a treasured National Historic Site. his year Scenic Hudson, Inc. worked collabora- The $3.1 million purchase was possible through the tively and proactively to save this internationally generosity of The Lila Acheson and DeWitt Wallace HYDE PARK T renowned destination from the threat of “big Fund for the Hudson Highlands, established by the box” development. We leveraged the powers of our founders of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. private and public partners to plan an economically Others who showed faith we would deliver results on viable future for Hyde Park that will build on, rather this project included the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt than sacrifice, its unique character. Institute; McCann Foundation, Inc.; Gannett Foundation; Newman’s Own Foundation, Inc.; and an Defeating a big box store anonymous supporter who provided the lead challenge Twice in the ’90s Wal-Mart eyed property across grant for this initiative. from the F.D.R. site. In the spirit of our founders’ battle over Storm King Mountain, we were determined not A community presence to let a major commercial project sully a defining piece Scenic Hudson has emerged as a major community of our heritage. Last fall our land trust bought two stakeholder and joined the National Park Service, parcels totaling 46 acres to permanently shield land in Roosevelt Institute and town leaders in launching a the immediate vicinity of the F.D.R. property. visioning process for the hub of the historic F.D.R. corridor. We also engaged other preservationists, tourism and economic development officials as well as developers to help create a conceptual blueprint for Hyde Park to capitalize on its heritage assets. Power of the press To further our cause and keep residents and decision-makers informed of our work, we reached out to key media. Reports appeared in The New York Times and numerous regional dailies. A group of National Public Radio affiliate sta- tions and a national online publi- cation also communicated news CHRIS DAVIS CINA about our Hyde Park initiative. Springwood, the Roosevelt family home, provides visitors a chance to connect with the environment that shaped F.D.R. 2 TOM LIGAMARI Community volunteers help Scenic Hudson preserve a piece of Hyde Park history. Our work in Hyde Park reflects our commitment to collaboration and our crusade to preserve open space and historic resources that contribute to the extraordi- Today and tomorrow nary nature of life in the Hudson Valley. Positive outcomes are evident. A drive-in theater located on part of the property we purchased has We are shaping the valley’s future. remained open, and we are exploring other site uses such as a World War II/Depression-era museum. We are part of an effort to re-establish Hyde Park’s town center and to enhance this distinctive gateway to the valley’s Great Estates Region. This year we plan to acquire three more acres as a further barrier to com- mercial development speculation and to forge a link with a trail that connects the F.D.R. site with Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage retreat. JEFF ANZEVINO 3 FIGHT Making Waves on the River in a NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT CAUSE Public sentiment and sound science prevailed in a major PCB cleanup victory for the Hudson River. THE PCB he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Demonstrating strong confidence in Scenic decision to dredge toxic Hudson River PCBs is Hudson’s work were numerous vitally important T big news. Our partnering with other environ- donors, including The Educational Foundation of mental, government and labor groups was key to mak- America, W. Alton Jones Foundation, Orchard ing it happen. Foundation, The Henry Phillip Kraft Memorial Fund of The New York Community Trust, The Henry Phillip Kraft Crunch time Memorial Fund of The Westchester Community After a 20-year PCB cleanup battle, this year was a Foundation and Hudson River Foundation for Science last-minute goal-line drive. We achieved our objective and Environmental Research, Inc. through strategic community outreach, media relations and governmental pressure in Albany and Washington. A grassroots effort Scenic Hudson led the formation of the coalition The coalition was a powerful presence from north Friends of a Clean Hudson, which united 11 national, of Albany to New York City and hammered home the state and regional organizations in efforts that greatly real science. exceeded expectations. Scenic Hudson partnered with the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater on a pro-cleanup candlelight vigil in 50 riverfront com- munities. The PCB battle also was a theme of our Great River Sweep, sparking citizen support in nearly 90 municipalities. Using our technical expertise Scenic Hudson commissioned stud- ies to inform residents. A Marist poll showed that a strong majority wanted the cleanup. A nationwide dredging report highlighted successful projects in 89 communities. Economic analysis done jointly with Clearwater forecast that the cleanup would generate 3,500 jobs and $88 million in wages. Rallying local governments and citizens TOM LIGAMARI We mobilized 69 local governments GE’s Hudson Falls facility was one of two plants that – including New York City – and 170 dumped PCBs into the Hudson River. civic, environmental and health organizations to pass resolutions for removing PCBs from the river. Friends of 4 MICHELLE TERWILLIGER-HATHAWAY Candles for a Clean Hudson united people of all ages and gave them an opportunity to express their thoughts a Clean Hudson was represented at all 11 public on removing PCBs from the river. hearings, turning out thousands of supporters. A multimedia battle GE mounted an unprecedented advertising blitz. coalition in asking Gov. George E. Pataki to advocate Its messages were disseminated via newspapers, for a full cleanup of the river. Our work with U.S. Rep. radio, television, billboards, lawn signs, direct mail, Maurice Hinchey and the offices of Attorney General a Web site and even two prime-time television Eliot Spitzer and Comptroller H. Carl McCall also was “documentaries.” critical. We maintained communication with the EPA We countered with highly and met with Administrator focused advertising and “earned Whitman on the eve of her land- media,” which resulted in strong mark decision. We made the case regional coverage as well as for a full and comprehensive stories and editorials in national cleanup and signaled strong outlets such as The New York opposition to a deal with GE that Times, The Washington Post and would have compromised the The Nation magazine. river for another generation. We also launched www.clean hudson.org, a one-stop information The road ahead source on Hudson River PCBs. We will continue our advo- cacy through future phases of Governmental outreach MARLENA MARALLO this cleanup.