Fulfilling the Transformative Potential of The Hudson River

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Fulfilling the Transformative Potential of The Hudson River

NYSDECPete Grannis, Commissioner

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Hudson River

Watershed is 1/3 of

NYS and major

population center

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

315 miles from wilderness to the ocean

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

1987 Estuary Law

• Adopts “ecosystem approach” to river problems

• Calls for a plan

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

2005 Action Agenda sets measurable targets for 2009

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Goals and targets adopted by DEC with stakeholders

and other agencies

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Applies the 6 principles of ecosystem-based management

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Human-centered:How will people benefit?

Example: A goal that people will be able to

fish the Hudson and safely eat their catch

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Whole Hudson Valley Troy to Verrazano Narrows

Place-based

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Guided by science, measurable performance, adaptive

1990 Research Agenda links science and management

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Goals: Maintain and restore signature species

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Clean up legacy pollutants that affect human health,

navigation and ecosystems

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Improve water quality

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Provide river access

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Revitalize river cities

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Conserve world-class scenery

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Protect our natural heritage and unique regional character

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Ecosystem health is connected to what happens in the

watershed

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Goals require that we achieve mission in new ways e.g. land use

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

All agencies play a role, guided by the Action Agenda

OPRHP

AG & MKTS

DOS

DOT

ESDC

NYSERDA

OGS

SUNY

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Goals create a template for partners to join in:

• Local Government

• Non-profits

• Researchers

• Other agencies

• Schools

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

Metro NorthMetro North

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Some Estuary partnerships:

• OPRHP: open space and boating access

• OGS: habitat and scenery

• DOS: docks and waterfronts

• Metro-North: fishing access

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Grants build a bigger team for the river - tied to goals

$11+ million, 9 yrs 342 grantees

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Cooperation is essential eg Sea level is predicted to rise

4-33 inches in 100 years

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Meeting the goals can be our legacy for 2009

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NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

“Four hundred years ago, [Henry Hudson]

sailed up the river on a wooden ship …

guided only by a sense of possibility…

Today, coursing through the heart of our

State, the river reveals who we are. We are

dreamers, visionaries, environmentalists,

and builders of the first order. “

Eliot Spitzer 2008

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

We invite with you to join with us in building on the Hudson Valley’s legacy as a national

model and a source of transformative ideas