|
 |
|
Hudson River
The Hudson River is one of America's most important commercial and
recreational waterways and is recognized as an estuary of national
importance. From its source at Lake of the Clouds to the Verrazano
Narrows in New York Harbor, the Hudson River is an economic success
story of new business and industry, productive agriculture, and waterfront
communities springing back to life. Over 315 miles long, the Hudson
River travels through 19 counties where more than 8 million people
live, work, and play.
The Hudson River serves as a major commercial transportation artery
for the port cities of Albany, Newburgh, Kingston, and Poughkeepsie.
It is where business giants like IBM, General Motors, and General Electric
choose to put down roots. Agriculture and tourism continue to be
mainstays of the region's economy. There are approximately one million
acres of farmland within the Hudson River Valley, representing diverse
agricultural enterprises such as dairies, orchards, vineyards, and horticultural crops.
The Hudson River Estuary extends for 154 miles of the river's 315-mile
length. It is a unique natural resource, home to over 206 species of
fish. The valley is an important flyway for migratory birds and is home
to many endangered and threatened species such as bald eagles and heartleaf plantain.
Principal Elements of the Action Plan
The state of New York and its community partners have entered into an ambitious
effort to integrate environmental restoration and economic revitalization in
the Hudson River Valley. A key element of the Action Plan is centered around
resource protection and management. In 1996, the state of New York signed the
Hudson River Estuary Management Plan. The Plan has been designed to
help manage aquatic resources, preserve upland resources (open space,
scenery, and biodiversity), enhance water-based recreation and tourism, and
revitalize the river-based economy through water quality and remediation
of contaminants. Additional efforts on resource protection and management
include the Hudson River National Estuary Research Reserve, the New York/New
Jersey Harbor Estuary Program, and dredging programs in New York Harbor.
Additional key elements of the plan include: improving public access to the
Hudson River and its resources; land acquisition; community and waterfront
development, tourism and urban and agricultural pesticide management; farmer's
market studies, specialty food facilities, riverbank restoration efforts, and
many more worthwhile projects.
River Navigator and Community Partners
River Navigator Eric Scherer has worked with local communities and state
agencies as a federal employee for over 23 years. His background in community
planning, watershed protection, and group facilitation has allowed him to work
with groups and organizations of all sizes and interests. His technical
abilities in natural resource management and conservation have allowed him
to provide qualified assistance to many locally sponsored projects.
Key
stakeholders and partners of the Hudson River are represented by the Hudson
River Community Forum. These partners include local, state, and federal
governments pursuing programs and interests that impact the Hudson Valley communities.
Key federal partners of the Hudson River AHR Initiative currently include (or are
planned to include) Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Federal Highway Administration, Department
of the Interior (National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
U.S. Geological Survey), Department of Commerce (Economic Development Administration,
National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Small Business Administration),
U.S. Department of Agriculture (Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Forest Service, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Development).
|
