DEC Announces More Than $1.1 Million Awarded to Six Projects to Improve Water Quality and Bolster Flood Resiliency in Hudson River Estuary Watershed |
Grants Will Help Hudson River Communities Remove Dams to Mitigate Flooding and Restore Habitats for American Eel and River HerringNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced more than $1.1 million was awarded to six projects to help reduce local flooding and restore aquatic habitats in tributary streams of the Hudson River Estuary. These funds will support projects to restore free-flowing waters to benefit water quality, restore aquatic habitat connectivity for Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the American eel and river herring, and help communities with existing and projected impacts of local flooding. Commissioner Seggos said, “Governor Cuomo continues to make record investments to protect New York’s waters and to help create new and expanded access opportunities, all while building community resiliency. These grants support the strong partnerships with communities, environmental groups, and civic organizations that help New York significantly improve the ecological health and resiliency of the Hudson River Estuary.” Funding for these projects is provided by the Natural Resource Damages Fund, the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for Ocean and Great Lakes Projects, and DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Grants Program. Funded projects are: Westchester County Dutchess County Orange County Hudson Valley Regional Council: The $31,500 for Browns Pond Dam Removal Planning project will investigate stakeholder issues related to the proposed removal of Browns Pond dam on the Otter Kill Creek in the town of Hamptonburgh. The dam was initially constructed for mill power and the pond was used for ice harvesting. The dam is now in a deteriorated condition and has been identified as a potential structural and flood hazard. If removed, downstream flood hazards would be mitigated, and at least 14.5 miles of stream habitat would be improved for American eel and other aquatic species. This grant will support public meetings with affected upstream and downstream stakeholders to explore the implications of potential dam removal as well as monitoring of fish habitat in the stream with a focus on American eel. Ulster County Rockland County New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said “Investing in local projects that reduce flooding and restore aquatic habitats, while also cleaning our water is a win-win for the environment and a smart investment for our future. I commend Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Seggos for their vision to fund projects that do just that.” Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said, “I am pleased to see funding for these restoration projects be allocated to counties along the Hudson River. These projects are important to habitat and species restoration and overall water quality improvement. These highlight the continued importance of funding programs such as the Environmental Protection Fund and I applaud the Governor for his continued support.” Now in its 18th year, DEC’s Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda: clean water; resilient communities; a vital estuary ecosystem; estuary fish, wildlife and habitats; natural scenery; and education, river access, recreation, and inspiration. To view the Action Agenda and for complete details about the new grant funding, visit DEC’s website. In the Governor’s 2019-20 Executive Budget Proposal, Governor Cuomo sustained the record-high EPF at $300 million for the fourth year in a row, providing funding for open space conservation, parkland stewardship, and other environmental protection projects. |