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2009 Hudson River Summit

Revitalizing and sustaining the river valley environment for the benefit of all its residents

On June 8, the 2009 Hudson River Summit brought together hundreds of regional, state and national leaders to focus on strategies for revitalizing and sustaining the Hudson River valley's environment for the benefit of all its residents. Organized by the Hudson River Estuary Program, this dialogue about the future of the river was co-sponsored by Historic Hudson River Towns, Clearwater, Hudson River Foundation, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, The Hudson River Environmental Society, The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, The Nature Conservancy and others.

Conference Materials:

Coference Agenda:

  • 10:00 Registration and networking
  • 10:30 Building a Common Vision for the Hudson River Estuary: Commissioner Grannis and Summit participants will discuss The State of the Hudson 2009 and the Discussion Draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2010-2014, initiating a dialogue on the future of the river in this Quadricentennial year.
    • Welcome: Pete Grannis, Commissioner, NYSDEC; Dennis Suszkowski, Chairman, Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Committee; Barney Molloy, conference co-host, Historic Hudson River Towns
    • Making a Difference: The Estuary Action Agenda--Where have we been? Where are we going? What are the key challenges for the future? Fran Dunwell, Hudson River Estuary Coordinator, NYSDEC
    • How Can the Federal Government Become a Partner? Congressmen Hinchey, Congressman Hall
    • Dialogue: Participants and press
  • 12:00-1:00 Lunch
  • 1:15 Panel 1 Discussion: Revitalizing the River at a Time of Institutional, Political, Financial and Environmental Change
    • Moderator: Barney Molloy, Historic Hudson River Towns
    • Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson
    • Roland Lewis, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance
    • Jim Tripp, Environmental Defense
    • Gerald Benjamin, SUNY New Paltz
    • Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater
    • Questions for Panel 1: At this time of great change, what are your suggestions for making new progress on the work we started with the last Action Agenda? What new partners do we need to bring in? What new approaches should we consider?
  • 2:15 Panel 2 Discussion: Sustaining People, Ecosystems and Natural Resources
    • Moderator: Dennis Suszkowski, Hudson River Foundation
    • Katie Dolan, The Nature Conservancy
    • Alex Matthiessen, Riverkeeper
    • Katy Dunlap, Watershed Alliance
    • Stuart Findlay, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
    • Bill Conners, NYS Fish and Wildlife Management Board
    • Questions for Panel 2: What issues should the Action Agenda focus on and why? What needs to be done to protect the river and the valley and provide the quality environment that supports the needs of the people?
  • 3:15 Panel 3 Discussion: Agency Partners--How We Can All Play a Role
    • Moderator: Jim Tierney, Assistant Commissioner for Water and Watersheds, NYSDEC
    • Mark Castiglione, Hudson River Valley Greenway
    • Paul Beyer, NYS DOS
    • Gina D'Agrosa, Westchester County
    • Erik Kulleseid, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
    • Mario Del Vicario, Chief, Watershed Management Branch, EPA Region 2
    • Colonel Nello Tortora, Army Corps District Engineer, NY District (invited)
    • Pete Grannis, Commissioner NYSDEC
    • Questions for Panel 3: What can government do better to protect the river? What gaps do you see, what opportunities?
  • 4:15 Wrap Up: Visions for the Future
    • Kent Barwick, ourhudson.org
    • Fran Dunwell, NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Coordinator
  • 4:30 Adjourn