Hudson River Estuary Program Report on 15 Years of Progress Helping people enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River Estuary and its Valley Clean Water * Habitat * River Access * Climate Change * Scenery NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in partnership with: Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor NYS Department of State Joseph Martens, Commissioner NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation NYS Department of Health March 2011 NYS Office of General Services Hudson River Valley Greenway US Environmental Protection Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration US Department of Interior Dear Friend of the Hudson: Since 1987, the Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP) has been changing the way New York State manages the river and the valley environment. Significant public participation guided the development of our first Action Agenda, adopted in 1996, which enabled a new, comprehensive approach. Now 15 years later, we are: • Coordinating among local, state and federal agencies to achieve shared goals; • Using science and technology to solve river problems; • Building the capacity for local stewardship of natural resources; • Helping people discover the river; and • Building a network for regional cooperation. This report is a snapshot of what the Estuary Program and its partners have been doing for the last 15 years. It shows how we are supporting the quality of life of people and improving the future health and vitality of the natural resources of the Hudson River and its valley. The report begins with the four “Estuary Action Agendas” that have been issued and implemented since 1996. Built on sound science and extensive public input, these Action Agendas have set clear goals and targets for progress that can be objectively measured. They set a framework for local governments, state agencies and non‐profits to work together to achieve a cleaner, greener Hudson River Valley. The Estuary Program and the Action Agendas emerged in response to horrible river conditions in the 1960s and ‘70s, when pollution had turned the river into an open sewer and industrial dump. In 1978, oxygen levels were so low that biologists in Albany found a dead zone in the river. They described a single living fish, floating on the surface and gasping for air. Since then, the river has made a dramatic recovery. Improvements to water quality are responsible for making the river more swimmable, bringing back bald eagles and for revitalizing urban waterfronts. Today, we take pride in the Hudson’s clean water and scenic beauty, and we enjoy renewed fascination with its historic past. Our investments in river access, pollution cleanup, open space conservation and fisheries management have brought new stimulus to "Future generations will look back on this program as the regional economy and made the Hudson Valley an outstanding an innovative and resourceful destination for tourism. model of ecosystem-based Our job is not done, however. Our most recent Action Agenda describes management. I’m happy to be part of the Estuary the work we need to do to continue this progress. Program's work and look Sincerely, forward to its continuing success." Joe Martens, Commissioner NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Dennis Suszkowski, Science Director, Hudson River Links: Foundation and Chairman of Hudson River Estuary Program Action Agenda and accomplishments Hudson River Estuary Advisory www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html Committee 2 Table of Contents Helping People Discover and Enjoy the Hudson ........................................................................................... 4 Fishing, Boating, Swimming on the River .................................................................................................. 4 Education .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Solving River Problems with Science and Technology .................................................................................. 6 Fisheries .................................................................................................................................................... 6 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Aquatic Habitat ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Valley Habitat ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Building Capacity for Local Stewardship of Natural Resources .................................................................. 10 Water Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Climate Change ....................................................................................................................................... 12 World‐famous Scenery ........................................................................................................................... 13 Waterfront Revitalization ....................................................................................................................... 13 Connecting the Dots to Build a Network for Regional Cooperation ........................................................... 14 Leveraging Time and Talent .................................................................................................................... 14 Interagency Cooperation ........................................................................................................................ 14 By the Numbers – Hudson River Estuary Program and Partner‐Supported Projects 1996‐2010 ............... 15 What is the Hudson River Estuary Program? The Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP), working with its partners, protects and improves the natural and scenic Hudson River watershed for all its residents. The program was created in 1987 and extends from the Troy dam to upper New York Harbor. Its core mission is to: • Ensure clean water; • Protect and restore fish, wildlife and their habitats; • Provide water recreation and river access; • Adapt to climate change; and • Conserve the watershed’s world‐famous scenery. Contact info: Frances F. Dunwell, Hudson Estuary Coordinator Hudson River Estuary Program NYSDEC 21 South Putt Corners Road New Paltz, NY 12561 845‐256‐3016 [email protected] www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html 3 Photos: Hudson River Estuary Program Staff Day in the Life of the River, NYC, October 2009 Helping People Discover and Enjoy the Hudson In 1996, few Hudson Valley residents knew the meaning of the word “estuary.” Many communities lacked public access to the river. State boat launching ramps were in disrepair, and public hand launches for canoes and kayaks were limited. The Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP) and its partners embarked on an ambitious program of grants and training to encourage education about the Hudson and enable people to get to the river and experience it first‐hand. This is the best way we know to inspire people to become river stewards who care passionately about the water quality and the health of the Hudson. Fishing, Boating, Swimming on the River Fifteen years ago, the Estuary Program set its sights on improving public access to the Hudson. The program invested nearly $6.5 million to renovate six existing municipal trailered boat launches and build three new ones. In addition to these major boat launch improvements, the program has: • Supported 76 access projects and 119 education facilities and programs through grants; • Achieved the goal of new or improved access–parks, docks, fishing piers, trails and boat launches–in every shoreline community; • Released a CD with maps showing boat launches and other access points for fishing; and • Contributed to innovative regional projects such as the Walkway over the Hudson, River Pool at Beacon and the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail and Greenway Trail systems. Links Hudson River Estuary Program public fishing and boating access maps CD www.dec.ny.gov/lands/41728.html NYS Dept. of State, Waterfront Revitalization Program www.nyswaterfronts.com Hudson River Valley Greenway www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us/home.aspx 4 Education To help create the next generation of river stewards, in 1997, the Estuary Program began providing river education that now reaches more than 10,000 school children annually with teacher training and estuary‐focused curriculum on our website. Estuary grants have funded new educational facilities at 22 locations, including many in underserved urban neighborhoods where students can get direct access to the waterfront in their communities. People young and old who spend time on the river share stories of what they see in the Hudson River Almanac, a weekly electronic newsletter that goes out to 2,500 participants. For the past eight years, the Estuary Program has coordinated a Day in the Life of the Hudson River–one day in the fall when school groups and partner organizations sample the river from New York City to Troy. Data are posted online so that students can compare results from their locality to information other students have collected at other sites along the estuary. In 2010, more than 3,300 participants visited the river at more than 60 sites. Teacher training