Environment DEC
From the April 2008 issue
DEC Announces "Quad Legacy" Plan and Acquisition of Original Livingston Manor Lands
As part of the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis recently unveiled a plan for developing on-the-ground projects tied to the commemoration. Grannis also announced the first "legacy project" of the celebration: acquisition of a portion of the historic Livingston Manor on the shores of the Hudson River in Columbia County. DEC purchased the 320-acre parcel from the Livingston family for $2.4 million, facilitated by the Trust for Public Land (TPL). The parcel, to be known as the Livingston State Forest, includes some steep Hudson River shoreline and opportunities for a variety of uses.
The Legacy Program encourages the conservation of areas along the Hudson River, such as Livingston State Forest - photo courtesy of Jim David
Land Acquisition is One of Many Projects
"As we approach the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's historic voyage, the timing of this acquisition could not be better," Grannis said. "It will not only protect a scenic and historic area but also provide more opportunities for New Yorkers to connect to the natural world. We owe thanks to the Livingston family for making this happen. This is just one type of the many projects we hope to roll out as we move toward the Quadricentennial."
In addition, Commissioner Grannis also announced a $20,000 commitment from Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation to support a children's booklet about the Hudson River to support DEC's Hudson River Estuary curriculum. The agreement is an example of public-private partnerships encouraged to commemorate the Quadricentennial.
The Livingston Lands
In 1686, Robert Livingston was issued a royal patent by the governor of New York, entitling him to 160,000 acres between the Hudson River and the Connecticut and Massachusetts borders. The property recently acquired by DEC and TPL is a tiny fraction of the original manor and has had a variety of uses over the centuries, once containing iron smelting kilns and more recently serving as farmland. Currently, it is all forested.
Since 1948, Edmund Livingston has owned a 320-acre remnant of the original patent, located in the town of Livingston. He has practiced careful stewardship of the land, enrolling in a forest-management program overseen by DEC, while allowing access to hikers, campers, hunters, fisherman and horseback riders.
The Quadricentennial Legacy Program
Next year, 2009, marks the 400th anniversary of the voyages of Hudson and Samuel de Champlain along the waterbodies that bear their names. In 1609, their exploration of these waterways opened the American continent to a new global era that was made possible by the unique geographic advantages and rich natural resources of the river and the lake. New York has also included recognition of Robert Fulton's steamboat journey up the Hudson (1807) as part of the official commemoration. Fulton's steamboat launched a transportation revolution and was one of the most transformative events of its day.
The Legacy Program will be rolled out over several years and will create tangible benefits for future generations to enjoy. The program is intended to focus on conservation of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. DEC will develop plans to provide more waterway access, protect open spaces, improve water quality and restore signature species and habitats of these waterways. Action plans for the river and the lake will guide these efforts. The full press release on which this story is based contains an outline of the Legacy Program and other details. For information about the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda, contact the Hudson River Estuary Program, NYSDEC Region 3, 21 S. Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561; telephone: 845-256-3016; e-mail: hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us; or visit the Hudson River Estuary Program page on DEC's website.
Related Links:
Quadricentennial Information (leaving DEC's site)
Lake Champlain "Opportunities for Action" plan (leaving DEC's site)
