Senator Kathy Marchione announces Senate passage of her legislation designating the Kinderhook Creek as part of the Inland Waterway System

For Release: Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Contact: Josh Fitzpatrick, (518) 455-2381, fitzpatr@nysenate.gov

Albany, NY – Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I,Reform-Halfmoon), Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, today announced the Senate’s passage of her legislation, Senate Bill S.1125, that would amend the State Executive Law designating the Kinderhook Creek as part of the inland waterway system. The legislation passed the Senate during today’s Session by a vote of 59-0.

Kinderhook Creek originates in Hancock, Massachusetts and flows for 49 miles before meeting Claverack Creek, with which it forms Stockport Creek, an inlet of the Hudson River. Along the way, Kinderhook Creek flows through the Taconic Mountains, Rensselaer County, and Columbia County, including seven towns: Stephentown; New Lebanon; Nassau; Chatham; Kinderhook; Stuyvesant, and Stockport, as well as three villages: East Nassau; Valatie; and Kinderhook. The total length of the Creek within the State of New York, from the Massachusetts state line to Stockport Creek, is 46 miles.

Kinderhook Creek has been a location of historic development dating back to before European colonization, established as an important location for commerce and agriculture. The home of the eighth President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, is located adjacent to the Creek within the Town of Kinderhook. The Creek’s importance to localities extends to not only potential economic benefits, but also increased environmental and historic preservation.

Designating Kinderhook Creek as an Inland Waterway would allow the municipalities listed above, and the Van Buren historic site, to apply for grants though the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. These valuable grants will help in area plans to implement local waterfront revitalization programs to foster the beneficial use of the waterfront, as well as preserving and protecting the health and quality of Kinderhook Creek for area residents and all New Yorkers.

In addition to the legislation designating Kinderhook Creek as an Inland Waterway, Senator Marchione has also sponsored State Laws designating Wynantskill Creek in Rensselaer County, as well as the Claverack, Taghkanic and Agawamuck Creeks in Columbia County, as Inland Waterways.

“The designation of Kinderhook Creek as an Inland Waterway will help unlock access to valuable financial resources that will assist local communities while supporting local environmental and historic preservation initiatives, all of which will further enhance our quality of life,” Senator Marchione said.

Senator Marchione’s legislation has an Assembly companion measure, Assembly Bill A.2980 sponsored by Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (R-Melrose). The Assembly companion measure passed the Assembly on June 8 by a vote of 140-0.

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