Environment DEC
From the November 2007 issue
New Initiatives Enhance Protection of Hudson River Areas
To commemorate National Estuaries Day in New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis joined with federal and state officials, environmental advocates and other dignitaries to celebrate important partnerships and new developments that will be instrumental in the ongoing protection of the Hudson River. Announcements included new protection for state-owned lands and waters at the Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the partnership that created the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and the grand reopening of the Norrie Point Environmental Center.
Commissioner Grannis' designation of the Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area (WMA)--the state's largest freshwater tidal marsh complex--as the state's first natural heritage area gives it new, heightened protection by requiring all future site management to be consistent with protection of those natural resources. The New York Natural Heritage Areas Program was established by law in 2002 and directs state managers on lands and waters so designated to highlight and ensure the protection of rare animals, rare plants and significant natural communities.
Commissioner Pete Grannis believes the Hudson River will provide enjoyment for future generations thanks to continuing efforts by DEC and the agency's partners
Tivoli Bays WMA
The Tivoli Bays WMA, located on the Hudson River in the Town of Red Hook, Dutchess County, encompasses 1,722 acres spanning a rich assemblage of tidal freshwater wetlands, forests and streams, including five significant natural communities that provide habitat for several rare plants and animals, spawning and nursery grounds for river herring and other fish, and habitat for bald eagles and osprey. As the largest component of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Tivoli Bays is also one of the most intensively studied tidal wetlands on the entire Hudson River Estuary. For more information, or to view a map of the Tivoli Bays Natural Heritage Area, visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/36997.html
Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR was designated in 1982 in partnership with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) as part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and consists of 5,000 acres in four protected natural areas that span the middle 100 miles of the tidal Hudson River. It provides critical habitat for a host of natural communities, serves as an important spawning and nursery ground for anadromous and freshwater fish and is designated both as a state bird conservation area and an Audubon important bird area.
Norrie Point Environmental Center
The celebration occurred during the official grand reopening of the newly renovated Norrie Point Environmental Center, located within Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park in Staatsburg, Dutchess County, directly on the Hudson River. With NOAA and DEC contributions toward renovations, and state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation operation and maintenance support, the center will now include conference and classroom space, public interpretive exhibits, a weather station and a research laboratory.
