Larkin Announces Local Estuary Grants

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced a new round of Hudson River Estuary grants for several local communities.

"These grants will ultimately lead to more people enjoying the Hudson River," said Senator Larkin. "There are very important local projects underway that will help clean up pollution, promote environmental stewardship and education, and help to preserve the natural resources of the Hudson River Estuary and its tributaries and watersheds."

The awards are the seventh in a series of grants provided to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations located within the geographic boundaries of the Hudson River Estuary which includes Orange and Ulster Counties.

The following local awards are listed below:

Black Rock Forest Consortium - Orange County - $30,000 - School in the Forest and the Estuary - Underserved New York City schoolchildren from the South Bronx and northern Manhattan will be brought to Black Rock Forest and the Hudson River at Kowawese for field programs. The field programs will explore the links between the watershed and the estuary.

Museum of the Hudson Highlands - Orange County - $20,000 - The Living Hudson Exhibit - Construction of an exhibit on the Living Hudson. The exhibit will incorporate Hudson River tributaries flora and fauna in the Highlands area. Self-directed activities and programming will be developed around the exhibit which will be part of the Hall of Animals, a popular destination for families and children.

Scenic Hudson Land Trust - Dutchess and Ulster Counties - $20,000 - Signature Parks Project - creation of interpretive kiosks and destination points to enhance outdoor experiences at five parks.

Village of Highland Falls - Orange County - $100,000 - acquisition of .85 acres of land that includes 500 feet of frontage on the Hudson River.

Town of Newburgh - Orange County - $12,500 - planning grant to study critical open space resources and to identify potential locations where Hudson River public access could be expanded or enhanced.

Ulster County Environmental Management Council/Water Quality Management Agency - Ulster County -$10,000 - planning grant to create an inventory of environmental resources, bio-diversity, cultural, historic and water resources data to formulate a GIS database.

Town of Montgomery - Orange County - $20,000 - completion of an inter-municipal natural resources inventory.

Esopus Creek Conservancy - Ulster County - $12,300 - conduct a habitat mapping and assessment project in the 122-acre Esopus Bend Preserve which includes two miles of shoreline. The mapping will include assessments of storm water discharges and siltation on property flowing into the creek.

Orange County Soil and Water Conservation - Orange County - $30,000 - implementation of Wallkill River watershed outreach to priority horse farms for pollution control and partnership development with conservation groups.