For Release: Wednesday, December 19, 2007

DEC Announces Hudson Estuary Grants, Appointments as State Begins Build-up to 2009 Hudson-Champlain Quadricentennial

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced more than $1.7 million in Hudson River Estuary grants for 41 projects in the watershed and two appointments to lead the Hudson-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission activities as the state begins the build up to the 2009 commemoration.

"These grants will help protect natural areas, support river education and provide access for boating, fishing and hiking. Importantly, we are creating new opportunities to connect New Yorkers to the natural wonders of the Hudson in time for the Quadricentennial," said Grannis, who, during his tenure as a state legislator, sponsored legislation to commemorate the Quadricentennial and create the Quadricentennial Commission.

The grants are the first of dozens of projects expected to be announced over the next two years as part of the Legacy Projects portion of the Quadricentennial, which marks 400 years since Henry Hudson led a historical voyage of discovery, sailing up the river now named for him, and Samuel de Champlain's expedition to his namesake lake. Along with the grants, the state issued an updated Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda, with new objectives and strategies to address environmental conditions on the river.

The Hudson River Estuary grants fund projects from the Troy dam to New York harbor, including the watershed lands of the Hudson, its scenic landscape and its upland habitats. (Examples of projects listed below.)

New Leaders Selected

In addition, the Quadricentennial Commission has two new leaders. Robert E. Bullock, of Saratoga Springs, has been named commission director. Bullock, a career executive in the fields of development, marketing, public relations and government advocacy, also serves as president of the NYS Archives Partnership Trust (the support arm of NYS Archives) and as public affairs officer for the New York Air National Guard. Bullock previously served as the director of institutional advancement for the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in Hyde Park, Dutchess County.

Tara Sullivan, a resident of Red Hook, Dutchess County, has been named executive director of the commission. Sullivan, who has a long career in community relations and public policy, previously served as Governor Eliot Spitzer's Hudson Valley regional representative and as director of community relations and internal affairs at Bard College.

The Quadricentennial Commission is responsible for planning the commemoration of landmark passages in New York State's history: the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River aboard the Dutch ship, Half Moon; Samuel de Champlain's expedition to Lake Champlain also 400 years ago; and Robert Fulton's maiden steamship journey up the Hudson in 1807, all to be celebrated in 2009.

"Mini" Grants For Schools, Communities

In addition, Grannis announced the "Quadricentennial Mini-Grants for Communities" program. Two hundred $1,000 grants will be awarded to schools and communities in both the Hudson Valley and the Champlain Valley to prepare for the commemoration. The grants can be used for projects, events and programs that embody the theme of "Explore 400 years of Progress in the Environment, Energy, Innovation and Education."

Examples of Estuary Grants (for complete list, go to:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5091.html)

NYC/Westchester/Rockland

Urban environmental improvement projects such as one by New York Restoration Project, which will receive $25,000 to conduct a study of the Harlem River and Sherman Creek waterfronts in northern Manhattan to identify areas for access and education and outline plans for a sustainable waterfront along the Harlem River.
A project of New York City Parks and Recreation will receive $50,000 for engaging local schools in the restoration of 14 acres of urban forest in High Bridge Park, located near the Harlem River.
"Groundwork Yonkers" will receive $48,690 for better site design demonstration projects in the six municipalities in the Sawmill River watershed.
The Village of Tarrytown will receive $100,000 to acquire riverfront park land for their waterfront redevelopment.
grant to the Croton school district will enable them to use the Hudson as a classroom and exchange information with a school in New York City, in part using the Hudson River lesson plans developed by DEC.
Two other projects help interpret the history of the Hudson in 1609 compared to now: the National Museum of the American Indian, NYC, will receive $50,000 to create education programs for schools and the public featuring Native perspectives on Hudson River trade prior to Henry Hudson's voyage in 1609. The Wildlife Conservation Society will receive $50,000 to continue work on a recreation of Manhattan's landscape, habitat, flora and fauna as it appeared when Europeans arrived.

Mid-Hudson

Urban projects include two in the City of Newburgh, which will receive a grant of $63,750 to build a new fishing pier on the waterfront and another grant to support water quality demonstration projects.
The Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge project, Walkway Over the Hudson, will receive $40,000 towards restoration of a pedestrian walkway across the currently moth-balled bridge.
Scenic Hudson will receive $100,000 to create a classroom for river study to be used by the Beacon schools.
The Orange County Water Authority will receive $45,000 to address flooding, water resource monitoring and protection, recreational access and biodiversity corridors on the Moodna Creek.
The Nature Conservancy will receive $20,000 for a project that helps Hudson River municipalities adapt to changes in their communities that are expected to result from climate change and sea level rise.
For stewardship efforts, the Town of Hyde Park will receive $22,815 to support habitat conservation by mapping 4,000 acres of habitat in the northern section of town. Planning grants of $25,000 each will go to the Towns of Saugerties and Durham to develop open space inventories, including mapping and planning for natural resource conservation.

Albany & Capital District

A grant to the Albany Rowing Center of $14,100 will upgrade the existing dock structure at Corning Park Preserve for human powered boats and will improve access and safety for rowers, boaters, and pedestrians.
The Village of Castleton, Rensselaer County, will receive $25,000 for a study to plan for public access to the Hudson River.

(The Hudson River Estuary Program is funded by annual appropriations from the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), federal funds, and other sources.)