Robert Rodriguez, Jr. • www.robertrodriguezjr.com Jr. Robert Rodriguez,

SH1963-201350 Scenic Hudson: A National Leader and Champion for the Valley

In 1963 Scenic Hudson’s founders set out to protect revered Storm King Mountain in the from a proposed power plant. The successful campaign lasted 17 years, but early on achieved a landmark legal victory—the “Scenic Hudson decision.” Unleashing the power of an informed, engaged citizenry to protect cherished natural resources, it marked the birth of the modern grassroots environmental movement.

The decision’s resulting principle—that citizens have the legal right to support or oppose projects affecting the environment—went “viral” decades before invention of the World Wide Web. Thousands of national and local environmental groups sprang up in its wake. They helped implement new laws that for the first time required consideration and balancing of environmental impacts before projects were permitted. And they opened Americans’ eyes to the urgency of protecting threatened, world-class landscapes in their “backyards.”

For five decades, Scenic Hudson has played an unparalleled role in preserving the Hudson Valley’s treasured resources and shaping development along the banks of its famed river. We’ve created parks and “outdoor classrooms” that connect people with the Hudson’s beauty and spiritual power. Farmland permanently protected through conservation easements provides fresh, healthy food to our communities and City greenmarkets. And the public policy and laws we’ve crafted and advocated for ensure the enduring health and prosperity of the valley and state.

Scenic Hudson’s land protection and advocacy are based on science and cutting-edge strategies that ensure we Save the Land That Matters Most—properties possessing the greatest scenic, ecological and agricultural values. It also means we preserve habitats and species of national, even global importance. Looking to the future, we’re putting science and waterfront-planning tools in the hands of citizens and local officials so their communities can adapt to rising sea levels and other climate-change impacts.

Throughout our 50th-anniversary year in 2013, Scenic Hudson is celebrating the accomplishments made possible by thousands of dedicated citizens and partnerships with land conservation and environmental organizations, businesses and government. But more important, we’re tackling new projects and launching initiatives worthy of this milestone and the region’s vibrant future. Margaret Mead’s famous admonition—“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world”—certainly applies to Scenic Hudson’s history. We’re dedicated to ensuring that these words are just as true in the year and decade ahead. HAVERSTRAW • Acquired riverfront property doubling the size of the village’s popular Emeline Park, featuring a boat launch, gazebo and other amenities. • Signed settlement agreement ensuring proposed TDI 14 REASONS WHY transmission line from Canada to NYC won’t harm fragile habitats like Haverstraw Bay and riverfront-revitalization efforts. The agreement also SCENIC HUDSON established a $117-million habitat-restoration fund. • Play key role in Rockland Water Coalition’s efforts to And Right Out Rockland’s “Front Door” HAS BEEN GOOD FOR implement sustainable county water-management Visit these exciting parks—just across the river policies instead of building costly desalination plant. in Westchester—that Scenic Hudson played a ROCKLAND COUNTY leadership role in creating. All provide excellent opportunities to connect with the valley’s natural splendor and most afford outstanding UPPER NYACK views of the river and Rockland County. NEW CITY • Worked with residents to oppose rezoning • Acquired 53 scenic enabling construction of 12 condominiums Yonkers—Esplanade Park, Van der Donck acres on the flanks of at Petersen Boat Yard, in operation for more High Tor—Rockland than 150 years. Park at Larkin Plaza and Habirshaw Park County’s highest peak—preventing Irvington—Scenic Hudson Park at Irvington its proposed development. The NYACK Tarrytown—Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park property now is part • Awarded a grant supporting creation of High Tor State of a waterfront master plan to improve SOUTH NYACK Sleepy Hollow—Kathryn W. Davis Park. Memorial Park. • Provided ideas on how to plan for an RiverWalk Center at Kingsland Point Park • Mobilized citizen action successful in interconnected system of parks and trails rejection of a 20-story apartment tower on linking with other Rockland communities. the riverfront. • Spearheaded successful opposition to proposed ferry service requiring construction of a 500-car parking garage BRIDGE on the waterfront. • Reached agreement with NYS on significant measures to mitigate potential harm to the Hudson from construction of the new bridge— ORANGETOWN including an $11.5-million fund for habitat- • Led grassroots protection of restoration and riverfront-revitalization projects Clausland Mountain’s 50-acre in Rockland and Westchester communities most PIERMONT forested ridgeline, saving it from directly impacted by the project. • Successfully advocated for conservation threatened development and allowing of 1,017-acre Piermont Marsh and three its incorporation into the county’s other significant wetlands as part of the popular Clausland Mountain Park. Hudson River National Estuarine Research • Secured National Register designation Reserve. The marsh’s varied habitats make of two historic districts—Closter it a popular destination for observing Road-Oak Tree Road and Washington Spring Road-Woods Road in Palisades wildlife, including bald eagles. • Convened a Waterfront Flooding Task (formerly Sneden’s Landing). Force in the village to develop long-range visions for waterfront resilience. Jeffrey Anzevino these important issuesbegiventheirday in court. Get involved: sustainable optionsexistto secure RocklandCounty’s drinkingwater—we’re urgingstateregulatoryagenciestorequirethat raised additionalconcerns. Inlightofitsthreatstotheriver’s health—and newresearchindicatingsafer, moreaffordableand to producedrinkingwater. Devastation from SuperstormSandydamagedintake equipmentfortheproject’s pilotplantand of theestuary’s primespawningareasand nurseriesforfish. Desalinationisamongthecostliest, mostenergy-intensive ways would removeupto10milliongallonsdailyfromtheHudson Riverandspewbrinywastewater backintoHaverstraw Bay, one sustainable water-management policiesinsteadofpaying forUnited Water New York’s proposeddesalination plant. The facility Scenic Hudsonalsoplaysakey roleinthe resources. These initiativesareanoutgrowthofScenicHudson’s award-winning guide, cutting-edge shorelinemapsthatwillenableallRockland waterfront communitiesto visualizeandplantoprotectcritical a vibrant waterfront. At thesametime, ournewweb-basedinteractive tool— long-term adaptationstrategies toreducerisksfromincreasedflooding, stormsurgesandsevereweather, whileretaining stakeholders—including electedofficials, businessandenvironmentalleaders, andresidents—thatwilldevelopavisionfor In PiermontthevillageandScenicHudsonareconveninga Scenic A CHAMPIONOFHEALTHY, VIBRANT ROCKLAND WATERFRONTS Hudson continuestobeachampionofcreatinghealthy, economicallyvibrant RocklandCounty. Rockland Water Coalition Rockland Water Waterfront Flooding Task Force www.sustainablerockland.org , supporting thepublic’s effortstoimplement www.scenichudson.org/slr Revitalizing HudsonRiverfronts comprisedofkey . —provides .