Hudson cleanup on agenda

The Hudson River Estuary Program recently released its "Action Agenda 2005 - 2009," a plan that establishes multiple conservation goals for protecting habitat and wildlife in the region. The article below, from the Poughkeepsie Journal, outlines some of the major points of the plan, which includes a call for extensive partnerships and $40 million in total funding. JB

If the state's blueprint for improving the Hudson River is successful, 2009 will mark not only the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage but also substantial improvement in the health of an estuary that has been severely degraded since colonial times.

The Hudson River Estuary Program has released its "action agenda." It lays out a series of goals the state hopes to reach by 2009 and beyond, with help from private groups, other levels of government and businesses.

The goals range from restoring fisheries, protecting habitats and making the river safe for swimming, to preserving scenic views and promoting river-based education and recreation.

"We tried very hard to make this a shared vision among many constituency groups and people who care about the Hudson," said Fran Dunwell, the estuary program coordinator. "This is not a situation where the state can do it alone. It will require partnerships."

Read more...
http://www.pojonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051227/NEWS04/512270316/1008

See the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda here:
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/hudson/agendacomment.html