Current News, Events, and Opportunities in the Hudson River Watershed

Compiled by Katherine Urban-Mead, Intern
Hudson River Watershed Alliance

*New items are marked with an asterisk
NEWS & ACTIONS

Tri-State Transportation Campaign Announcement: Thank-you for Sustainable Transport Developments
New York City’s transportation system has come a long way in the last three and a half years. the city’s got plenty of big plans ahead: Big bus improvements for Midtown, Brooklyn, and Staten Island; a bike-sharing program that would be the biggest in the country; revamps of Fordham Plaza and Grand Army Plaza, and much more. But not everyone’s happy with these changes. Lately, pedestrian safety improvements, bike infrastructure, and bus lanes have all come under fire from media and politicians who preferred the old status quo. So let Mayor Bloomberg and city transportation officials know you love the new New York City, by sending them a thank-you note! http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5443/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=4865

Save the Sound seeking support for proposed Stormwater Authority in CT
A proposed federally-regulated pilot program for Connecticut cities is under attack by many citizens as a plan to ‘tax the rain.’ In fact, storm water runoff poses a large pollution program in the waters off the Long Island Sound. A storm water authority is seeking to implement plans to implement a fee on impermeable surfaces. Economic incentives would instead encourage property owners to increase usage of best management practices including vegetated bioswales, green roofs and rain gardens. This is an important opportunity that would simultaneously increase the sustainability of Connecticut cities, while protecting the Long Island Sound from polluting stormwater runoff which at this point is minimally managed and untaxable. See the below links for an endorsement of the program by City of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and the Save the Sound description of the importance of this authority.

http://www.ctenvironment.org/PDFs/CFE_STS_Insert_Winter_2010.pdf

http://ctenvironment.org/cfe-in-the-news-details.cfm?ID=331

EVENTS
1. Friday, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, 2011: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (weekly for four weeks)
Snowshoe Hikes with Cathy Bakker
Join Hudson Highlands Land Trust Interpretive Naturalist Cathy Bakker in enjoying the natural beauty of the season with a winter hike/snowshoe experience. Pre-registration is required, and can be done by calling the Philipstown Recreation Department 845/424-4618 to sign-up.  There is a fee of $20 for Residents and $35 for Non-residents.
Location: Meet at Philipstown Recreation Center, 107 Glenclyffe Drive, Garrison, NY.

2. Saturday, February 5, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
River Explorers:  Hands-on Nature Programs for Ages 5 – 12
This event Themed “Birds of Prey” at Beczak Environmental Education Center will let children look for eagles and other birds that visit the Hudson in the icy winter months. Event is free and open to the public. Funding is available thanks to a grant from ConEd. Registration required at vgarufi@beczak.org / (914) 377-1900 ext. 12. For more information please visit www.beczak.org.
Location: Beczak Environmental Education Center, 35 Alexander Street, Yonkers, NY 10701.

*3. Thursday, February 10, 2011:  8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Mid-Hudson Watershed Omelet Series:  Deglaciation of the Lower Hudson Valley
Presenter:  Dr. John Rayburn, Assistant Professor, SUNY New Paltz Department of Geological Sciences.
Before arriving at New Paltz, Dr. Rayburn was a Research Fellow at the United States Geological Survey studying the record and mechanisms of abrupt climate change during the last deglaciation.  He started at New Paltz in 2007 and has recently co-authored work related to deglaciation in the Hudson Valley, updating current understandings of  15,000 years of climate history.   Glacial age deposits cover all landscapes in the Hudson Valley.  Understanding what happened as glaciers melted off our landscape explains the origins of our sand and gravel aquifers, their interconnection to other deposits, and their capacity constraints as water resource assets.  Although a good bit of work had been done in this region by the 1930’s it has been mostly ignored since.  We are now just beginning to refocus on the Hudson Valley and Catskill Region glacial geology.NOTE:  Dr. Rayburn has a 9:30 class to teach on February 10.  He will begin his comments at 8:15 AM. Please RSVP to Russell Urban-Mead, rum@chazencompanies.com, to confirm your attendance.  There is a $4 minimum food/beverage purchase.
Location:  Plaza Diner (Stop & Shop Plaza), New Paltz

4. Thursday, February 10, 2011: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon (Snow Date Feb. 17)
Forest to Faucet
What does a watershed need to produce clean water? The Hudson River Watershed  Alliance and the Hudson River Estuary Program present a new Geographic Information System mapping tool that can help identify important watershed attributes.  Donald Steinmetz of the Highlands Environmental Research Institute will present this new GIS tool, based on data developed by the US Forest Service.  Fran Dunwell and Scott Cuppett from the Hudson River Estuary Program, and Jennifer Grossman from the Highlands Coalition and Open Space Institute will discuss the importance of clean water and watershed management in the Hudson Valley. To Register Contact Barbara Kendall, HRWA Coordinator:  barbara@hudsonwatershed.org  914 474 2759. See attached flyer.
Location: Sterling Forest Visitor Center, 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987

*5. Sunday, February 13, 2011: 1:00 PM
Orange County Land Trust to Hold Cross Country Skiing Outing at Moonbeams Preserve
Middletown, NY (OCLT):  The Orange County Land Trust will hold a guided cross country skiing outing on beginning at 1 pm at Moonbeams Nature Preserve in the Town of Wallkill. Moonbeams Preserve is a 150-acre nature preserve located off Prosperous Valley Road with hiking trails through meadows and woodlands of fairly level terrain. This event is appropriate for all ages.  Registration is suggested by calling (845) 343-0840, x12 or by RSVP through Facebook. A donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is suggested with all proceeds benefitting the protection of Orange County’s natural areas and working farmland.  Cancellation information will be recorded the day of the event at (845) 343-0840, x12.
Location: Moonbeams Preserve. Directions can be found on the Land Trust website at www.oclt.org/mmoonbeam.htm.

6. Saturday, February 22, 2011: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Fish Tales: Children Ages 3 – 5 Discover Nature Through Books and Beczak’s Backyard
With this event themed “Fine-Feathered Friends” at Beczak Environmental Education Center, children take a bird-watching tour led by Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat plus enjoy craft-time with recycled materials. Event is free and open to the public. Funding made available thanks to a grant by ConEd. Registration required at vgarufi@beczak.org / (914) 377-1900 ext. 12.  For more information please visitwww.beczak.org.
Location: Beczak Environmental Education Center, 35 Alexander Street, Yonkers, NY 10701.

7. February 17, 2011
Northeast Sustainable Communities Workshop
NSCW 2011: What Does the Future Hold?
Workshop Topics Include: • Transit-oriented Development • Alternative Energy • Innovations in Brownfields Redevelopment • Sustainable Communities, and more!
Join us in this dynamic workshop to discuss how sustainable communities are created.  The program for this workshop is intended to be a half day of intensive, high energy exchanges between stakeholders sharing varied perspectives on the issues surrounding sustainable redevelopment, alternative energy, and more.  Stakeholder perspectives that include real estate finance, government at all levels, corporations, community representatives, NGOs and consultants who provide a range of technical expertise will be invited to participate in interactive sessions that focus on best practices and the challenges to their implementation.  Join us for this unique conversation! The 2011 Northeast Sustainable Communities aWorkshop is being coordinated by the Brownfields Coalition of the Northeast.  Workshop Fees: Government/Non-Profit: $40 Private: $75 Student: $25 Keynote Lunch Speaker: Bill Finch, Mayor City of Bridgeport. See attached information.
Location: Bridgeport, CT (Housatonic Community College)

8. Friday – Sunday:
Feb. 19-20, Mar. 26-27, May 6-8, 2010
Permaculture Design Certification Course
Gain an internationally recognized certification. Gain knowledge of local ecology & confidence in ecological design. Gather practical skills to nourish your landscape, home and community. Tuition $900 – $1300 sliding scale and $185.00 site fee. For more information: Joan atmamajoane@yahoo.com or 845-687-7646.

*9. Thursday, February 24, 6:00 PM -7:30 PM
Volunteers Needed for NAAMP Training- North American Amphibian Monitoring Program
For more information contact NY Regional Coordinator Suzanne Beyeler, PhD of the Hudson River Estuary Program atFrogandToad@gw.dec.state.ny.us or visit www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50247.html
Location: Middletown Thrall Library, 11-19 Depot Street, Middletown, NY 10940

10. Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2011: 11:30 PM – 5:00 PM
The 17th Bronx Parks Speak Up
The theme of the event this year will focus on Bronx Waterways. We are looking for Environmental, Parks, and/or Greenspaces groups to host display tables. The tabling and networking time begin the day 11:30am and last until 12:30pm. We ask that all tabling groups donate a raffle prize. All the proceeds from the raffle go towards funding the Speak Up and keeping the event free to the public. Any donation your group can contribute is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in hosting a table, please respond to this email  (speakuptabling@hotmail.com). Let us know if you will need access to an electrical outlet. Tablers should arrive to set up at 11am. Please note that tabling space should not be used to promote a political agenda. 

For more information about the event itself, please email bxspeakup@hotmail.com.
Location: Lehman College’s Faculty Dining Room in the Music Building at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W.

11. Sunday, February 27th, 2 p.m.
Winter Ecology Walk
Join Cary Institute educators for an interpretive stroll along our snow-covered trails. While bears and chipmunks are sleeping away the winter, there are still signs of life on our grounds. Put on your hat and boots and discover animal tracks, ice bell formations, cold weather insects, and the wonders of winter survival. Meet at the main campus parking area, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, NY. RSVPs are required; let us know if you are signing up for the adult walk or the family-friendly walk. Contact (845) 677-7600 x 121 or e-mail freemanp@caryinstitute.org.

*12. Friday, March 11, 2011: 7:00 PM
Moby-Duck
Writer Donovan Hohn’s talk will explore the fate of thousands of rubber ducks that were accidentally spilled into the Pacific Ocean. His global adventures highlight the plight of our oceans and the pressures that society places on the natural world.
Location: Cary Institute’s auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in Millbrook, New York.

*13. Sunday, March 27, 2011: 1:00 PM
Vernal Pool Exploration and Book Signing
Come explore vernal pools and learn about the species that rely on them for survival such as frogs, fairy shrimp, salamanders and newts! A hands-on, outdoor activity for children and families and people of all ages, led by outdoor educator, naturalist and author Laurel Dodge. Wear mud boots! Copies of Laurel’s newly published book Nature Study for the Whole Family will be available for purchase and signing. Nature Study for the Whole Family promotes a return to nature study as a first-choice activity for family fun and learning and emphasizes how nature study can bring families closer, create special family memories, and encourage personal growth. Registration is suggested as space is limited. A donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is greatly appreciated with proceeds going towards the future stewardship of Land Trust nature preserves. Call 343-0840, x12 to register or RSVP via our Facebook page.
Location: Laurel Hill Preserve, Town of Minisink

14.  Saturday, May 1, 2010: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Ashokan Watershed Conference: Floodplain and Stormwater Practices for Towns and Landowners
Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program will be hosting the Conference. Registration is now open at www.ashokanstreams.orgor by calling 845-688-3047.
Location: Belleayre Mountain, Overlook Lodge

**If you would like an announcement, event, or opportunity to be included in the HRWA Digest, please send a 1-2 paragraph summary with date, location, fee (if applicable) and a contact name (email and/or phone) for additional information, to: digest@hudsonwatershed.org.  The HRWA Digest is only emailed twice a month – generally at the beginning of the month and mid-month.  Please plan accordingly and provide plenty of lead time.  Thank you for helping to make this service more efficient!  The next Digest will be emailed the last week of January.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Katherine Urban-Mead, Intern
Hudson River Watershed Alliance
digest@hudsonwatershed.org
www.hudsonwatershed.org

The Hudson River Watershed Alliance is a project of the Open Space Institute, Inc., a nonprofit public charity exempt from federal income tax under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

From the press office of Congressman Maurice Hinchey

Washington, DC – Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today urged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to ensure that high standards are used in Phase 2 of the EPA’s ongoing efforts to remove toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the Hudson River Superfund Site.  Hinchey helped lead the effort to ensure that clean up of the Hudson River Superfund site would be paid for by General Electric (GE).  From 1947 to 1977, GE dumped as much as 1.3 million pounds of PCBs into the river.

“PCBs cause cancer in humans, badly damage the environment and need to be removed from the Hudson River,” said Hinchey. “That’s why I’ve asked Administrator Jackson to set high performance standards for Phase 2 of the EPA’s cleanup process.  That means using environmental dredging to remove the contaminated sediments from the river whenever possible, and relying on capping, which encases contaminated portions of the riverbed in plastic, only when absolutely necessary.  Doing this cleanup in the most effective manner possible is vital to restoring the ecology of the river, protecting public health, and allowing residents of the Hudson Valley to once again fully enjoy fishing and other recreational uses in this incredible American Heritage River.”

In his letter to Jackson, Hinchey stressed the need for standards that are equal to or better than those used in the first phase of the cleanup effort.  For decades, as a member of the State Assembly and U.S. Congress, Hinchey has helped lead the effort to require GE to remove the up to 1.3 million pounds of toxic PCBs it dumped into the Hudson during a 30-year period. In Phase 1, General Electric conducted dredging, with EPA oversight, and the company targeted 265,000 cubic yards (cy) of PCB-contaminated sediment.  Dredging was conducted 133 days between May 15 and October 26, 2009. Backfilling and capping in some areas continued through November 2009, until the Champlain Canal closed for the season.

EPA classifies PCBs as probable human carcinogens, and these chemicals are also linked to other serious non-cancer adverse health effects including reduced ability to fight infections, low birth weights, and learning problems. PCBs, once released into the environment, accumulate in animals and work their way up the food chain to humans, a term called bio-accumulation. In 1976, because of the concern over the bio-accumulation of PCBs in fish and other aquatic organisms and their consumption by people, the State of New York banned fishing in the Upper Hudson River and commercial fishing of striped bass, as well as several other species in the Lower Hudson. In 1984, a 200-mile stretch of the Hudson River from Hudson Falls to the Battery in New York City was classified as a Superfund site.

Hinchey’s letter to Jackson follows.

December 9, 2010

Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator

US Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20460

By Fax: (202) 501-1519

Dear Administrator Jackson:

I am writing regarding the EPA’s ongoing efforts to remedy PCB contamination in the Hudson River Superfund Site.  As someone who has advocated for this critical environmental remediation for more than three decades, I appreciate your agency’s ongoing commitment to clean up and restore one of America’s most significant and historic rivers.  I remain deeply committed to the success of this vital effort, and I offer any assistance I can provide to ensure that it is done in the most comprehensive and effective manner possible.

Following the first phase of the cleanup that was completed in October, 2010, I understand that the EPA is currently considering and finalizing its performance standards for the second phase of this tremendously important project. As your agency establishes the performance standards and guidelines for the second phase of this critical project, I urge you to ensure that the cleanup requirements set forth by EPA meet or exceed the original performance standards set for the first phase of the project.

As I conveyed to the EPA on many occasions prior to the 2002 Record of Decision, I believe that after waiting many decades for the cleanup of the Hudson River, the federal government must insist on the removal of PCB contamination rather than capping it in place.  While I understand that capping is necessary in certain specific areas where dredging is not feasible, the EPA should not allow capping where additional dredging passes could effectively remove contaminated sediments. Capping where dredging is possible leaves in place contaminated sediments that require long-term monitoring and which are also prone to leakage and failure in the future.

I thank you for your vigilance and leadership in ensuring that the Hudson River Superfund Site is cleaned up effectively in order to restore the health of the Hudson River and protect those who live throughout our region.

Sincerely,

Maurice D. Hinchey

On December 13, representatives from the environmental, business, municipal and job development communities will be gathering at the SUNY New Paltz Student Union Building, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., to explore issues and challenges on water resource management and to identify opportunities to both support the economy and conserve the environment, recognizing the many ways that water contributes to human wellbeing. Confirmed speakers include Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Mayor  of Yonkers, Phillip Amicone, Executive Director of the NYS Economic Development Council, Brian McMahon, Elizabeth Schilling with Smart Growth America, and NYSDEC Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources and Watersheds, James Tierney. For more information or to register, please contact: hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call (845) 256‐3016.

Two nice developments have recently emerged regarding efforts to preserve the SS Columbia, America’s oldest surviving passenger steamer. Author Bill Ewan writes about saving this National Historic Landmark Vessel in his new volume, Steamboats on the Hudson River, as part of the “Images of America” series published by Arcadia Publishing (available in regional bookstores).

Also, Boating on the Hudson features an article in their recent issue with interesting information about the SS Columbia.

http://www.boatingonthehudson.com/current-issue/current-issue

]]> http://media.ourhudson.org/task-force-themes/steamboats-of-the-hudson-river/feed/ 0 http://media.ourhudson.org/task-force-themes/agriculture-priority-themes-2/greening-new-york-city/ http://media.ourhudson.org/task-force-themes/agriculture-priority-themes-2/greening-new-york-city/#comments Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:58:02 +0000 Staff http://media.ourhudson.org/?p=3449

New Paltz, NY – Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) announced yesterday that he has secured a key House panel’s approval of a major investment that will allow the State University of New York at New Paltz to develop a test lab for solar energy research and development on behalf of the Department of Defense. Hinchey, a senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, secured approval from the subcommittee for the $5 million investment.

“This investment would allow SUNY New Paltz to work with The Solar Energy Consortium in developing cutting edge solar technology for the Department of Defense,” said Hinchey. “It will also engage students and faculty in a growing American industry, helping prepare them for the jobs of the 21st century. It’s going to allow us to continue attracting new solar energy companies to the Hudson Valley.”

While the Hudson Valley’s solar energy industry is growing, many of the companies are just beyond their startup phase. With the Department of Defense (DoD) seeking to adhere to a 50 percent “Made in America” requirement for all solar energy related purchases, many of the region’s solar companies are positioned to play a major role in that effort.

The investment for which Hinchey has secured initial approval would allow for the creation of a “test and characterization laboratory” led and staffed by SUNY New Paltz Engineering and Science professors and students. In this environment, equipment, knowledge, and tools would be shared and guidance would be available to assist companies in meeting the thick array of regulations and technical requirements set forth by DoD.

The funding would also be used by the business school to develop a program to help the region’s solar companies navigate the procurement process. Its professors and students will help these emerging and growing companies to understand the newest competitiveness models, develop a culture of innovation, and understand how to best service the DoD in its solar needs.

Hinchey was joined by SUNY New Paltz Interim President Donald Christian and Vincent Cozzolino, CEO and Founder of The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) who detailed how the program will work.

“Collaborating with the Department of Defense and The Solar Energy Consortium will lead to wonderful learning opportunities for our students and research possibilities for our faculty,” said Christian. “And such partnerships are consistent with our campus mission to address regional economic needs and with Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s strategic plan for the SUNY System to support solar energy development and to help new and existing New York businesses to innovate, prosper, and grow.”

“I am proud and pleased that TSEC and SUNY NP will work together, through this grant, to service the many new solar companies in the region, said Cozzolino. “This project will help the companies grow through technical, business innovation, and analytical research support provided by the college community.”

Earlier this year, Hinchey successfully amended the House’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 to require all solar energy panels purchased by DoD through subcontracts be made by U.S. manufacturers. Hinchey’s amendment built upon Buy American Act provisions, which require that products purchased directly by the federal government contain at least 50 percent of American content. The legislation must now be considered by the Senate.

“Every time I visited Afghanistan, I heard about the dangerous missions that are the source of a significant number of U.S. military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Hinchey. “By shifting away from a dependence on oil and instead using more solar energy for military equipment in the desert, we can help save the lives of our troops who will no longer need to go on as many refueling missions. And through this investment and others, we can achieve that goal with technology that is researched and manufactured right here in the Hudson Valley.”

Hinchey led the effort to establish The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) to build partnerships between local universities and solar energy start-ups. The cooperative and coordinated approach has helped create more than 600 solar jobs, with nearly 1,000 additional jobs expected in the next two years.

To learn more about TSEC and solar energy in the Hudson Valley, listen to the Voices of the Valley audio interview with Vincent Cozzolino by clicking HERE.

In one of several meetings being held up and  down the Hudson by members of the state legislature in the coming weeks to foster a regional dialogue about the future of the river and its valley, Senator Steve Saland, Assemblyman Marc Molinaro and Assemblyman Joel Miller will host a Community Forum September 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Marist College Historic Cornell Boathouse in Poughkeepsie. Featuring NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Coordinator, Fran Dunwell, the forum will explore ways to make progress on the goals of the state’s recently-released “Estuary Action Agenda” in these challenging  economic times. The public will be invited to provide opinions on priority setting, on opportunities to achieve greater efficiencies through partnerships, and on what is working well that should be sustained. Click HERE for full announcement with directions.