NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Fulfilling the Transformative Potential of The Hudson River NYSDEC Pete Grannis, Commissioner

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Watershed is 1/3 of NYS and major population center

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 315 miles from wilderness to the ocean

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 1987 Estuary Law Adopts “ecosystem approach” to river problems Calls for a plan

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 2005 Action Agenda sets measurable targets for 2009

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Goals and targets adopted by DEC with stakeholders and other agencies

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Applies the 6 principles of ecosystem-based management

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Human-centered: How will people benefit? Example: A goal that people will be able to fish the Hudson and safely eat their catch

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Whole Hudson Valley Troy to Verrazano Narrows Place-based

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Guided by science, measurable performance, adaptive 1990 Research Agenda links science and management

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Goals: Maintain and restore signature species

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Clean up legacy pollutants that affect human health, navigation and ecosystems

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Improve water quality

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Provide river access

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Revitalize river cities

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Conserve world-class scenery

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Protect our natural heritage and unique regional character

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Ecosystem health is connected to what happens in the watershed

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Goals require that we achieve mission in new ways e.g. land use

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation All agencies play a role, guided by the Action Agenda OPRHP AG & MKTS DOS DOT ESDC NYSERDA OGS SUNY

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Goals create a template for partners to join in: Local Government Non-profits Researchers Other agencies Schools Before After Metro North

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Some Estuary partnerships: OPRHP: open space and boating access OGS: habitat and scenery DOS: docks and waterfronts Metro-North: fishing access

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Grants build a bigger team for the river - tied to goals $11+ million, 9 yrs 342 grantees

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Cooperation is essential eg Sea level is predicted to rise 4-33 inches in 100 years

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Meeting the goals can be our legacy for

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation “Four hundred years ago, [Henry Hudson] sailed up the river on a wooden ship …guided only by a sense of possibility… Today, coursing through the heart of our State, the river reveals who we are. We are dreamers, visionaries, environmentalists, and builders of the first order. “ Eliot Spitzer 2008

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation We invite with you to join with us in building on the Hudson Valley’s legacy as a national model and a source of transformative ideas