Hudson River Estuary Program

NEW on the Hudson River Estuary Program Pages:

The 2008 Hudson River Estuary Program Grant application materials are now available
Download the Hudson River Estuary Public Fishing and Boating Access Maps
Read the program's 2006-2007 Annual Report
Read the updated version of the Action Agenda 2005-2009

The Mission of the Hudson River Estuary Program:

Hudson River Estuary Program Logo The Hudson River Estuary Program leads a unique regional partnership to restore the Hudson in ways that support the quality of life so valued by Hudson Valley residents. The mission of the program is to:

conserve the natural resources for which the Hudson is legendary
promote full public use and enjoyment of the river
clean up the pollution that affects our ability to use and enjoy it

The Estuary Program implements the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda through numerous partners in government, the non-profit and business sectors, and concerned citizens. The program is built on sound science and principles of ecosystem-based management. It is guided by the Hudson River Estuary Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of the commercial fishing industry, recreational anglers, utility companies, local government, educators, researchers, conservationists and other river users. This helps us engage many representatives of the public in working together toward common goals.

Making Progress in the Hudson River Estuary:

Estuary Program projects are helping to manage and restore key species like striped bass and bald eagles, protect key habitats such as underwater grass beds and tidal wetlands, and conserve critical plants, animals and habitats in the river basin landscape. We are cleaning up water pollution from persistent chemicals and human waste, and we are protecting our streams.

We are using advanced technology to map the river bottom to help us manage river habitats and human uses. The Estuary Program's outreach staff provide information to connect local governments to the natural resources in their communities and the principles and legal framework for sound land use planning. This assistance, along with funding support through the Estuary Grant Program, allows counties, towns and villages in the Hudson River Valley to take ownership of their resources and define the future of their communities while contributing to the overall health and beauty of the region.

Many estuary projects are tied to the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage of discovery and the anticipated commemoration of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial in 2009. In preparation, the Program has worked diligently to expand opportunities for citizens to connect to the River by upgrading boat launches and preserving valuable open space in sight of the river. Details of these and other achievements can be found on our Hudson River Progress Reports page.

Resources for the Public:

Available resources from the Estuary Program include educational materials, presentations, trainings, maps, planning guidance and links to further information. Click on the names of the topics below to explore the available resources or contact us at hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Grants: Funding for municipalities and not-for-profits to complete projects that carry out the Action Agenda goals for restoring the Hudson and the human uses it supports.
Education: Resources for educators, students and families to learn about the Hudson, including outdoor programs, lesson plans, posters, education centers, exhibits, interpretive signs, and descriptions of key river issues.
Watersheds and streams: Information on conservation issues and guidance on practices that protect water resources.
Plants, animals, habitats of the river basin: Information about the Hudson Valley's unique biodiversity and conservation resources for land managers, landowners, planners, and policy makers.
River Access and Recreation: Where to go, what to do and what the Estuary Program is doing to make the Hudson River more accessible.
Climate Change: Efforts to develop a regional strategy to respond to climate change in the Hudson Valley

Background on the Hudson River Estuary Program:

During the 1960s and 70s, public concern for the protection of the Hudson's fisheries led to the passage of the 1979 Hudson River Fisheries Management Act. In 1987, recognizing that conservation of the river's fish, habitats and ecosystem requires a broader, multi-disciplinary approach, the fisheries law was replaced by the Hudson River Estuary Management Act, found in Section 11-0306 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law. This act directed DEC to develop a plan and program for the conservation of the estuary-the tidal portion of the river from the Troy dam south to the Verrazano Narrows-- and its associated shorelands.

Links to other Hudson River Estuary Program pages:

Hudson River Estuary - Natural and historical information about the Hudson River Estuary, the tidal portion of the river from the Troy dam south to the Verrazano Narrows.
Hudson River - An introduction to the river and links to a Virtual Tour of the Hudson.
Hudson River E-Almanac - The Almanac is a journal of natural history observations shared by folks who are excited by what they see and experience on the Hudson.
What You Can Do To Protect The Hudson River Estuary - Make a commitment to be part of the solution. Here's how you can make a difference.
The Hudson River Estuary Management Act - Read the law that created our program

More about Hudson River Estuary Program:

Goals & Targets For The Hudson River Estuary - Details on the Hudson River Estuary Program's goals to conserve the estuary's natural resources, clean up pollution and other impairments, and promote public use and enjoyment of the river.
Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda - The blueprint for the Hudson River Estuary Program.
Hudson River Estuary Program Progress Reports - A description of the Hudson River Estuary Progress and Report Cards
Hudson River Estuary Program Education And Interpretation - Resources for educators, students and families to learn about the Hudson, including outdoor programs, lesson plans, posters, education centers, exhibits, interpretive signs, and descriptions of key river issues.
Hudson River Estuary Program Watershed Conservation And Stormwater Management Program - The NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Division of Water provide financial and technical support to community-based partners at the watershed-level to encourage land use decisions that protect streams, rivers, wetlands, and estuaries from the effects of urban runoff and stormwater runoff.
The Hudson River Estuary Program Biodiversity Outreach And Technical Assistance Program - This Project develops science-based information about Hudson Valley plants, animals, and habitats and offers it to land managers, landowners, planners, and policy makers for the purpose of conservation.
The Hudson River Estuary Program Biodiversity And Wildlife Habitat Project - This Project develops science-based information about Hudson Valley plants, animals, and habitats and offers it to land managers, landowners, planners, and policy makers for the purpose of conservation.
Hudson River Estuary Program River Access Project - Encouraging Hudson Valley residents to experience and explore the Hudson River whether by foot, on a boat, catching fish, or getting wet is a primary goal of the Hudson River Estuary Program's River Access Project.
Hudson River Estuary Program Climate Change Program - DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with the New York State Climate Change Office, is coordinating local efforts to develop a regional strategy to respond to climate change in the Hudson Valley.
Hudson River Estuary Grants Program - Hudson River Estuary Program Grants were created to help fulfill those goals of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda that can be implemented most effectively by municipalities, not for profits, and other local partners.
What You Can Do To Protect The Hudson River Estuary - A description of environmentally sound practices that the public can take part in in order to protect and preserve the Hudson river estuary's habitat and wildlife.