Sustainable Esopus

GASLAND at 6:30 PM tonight at Rhinebeck Town Hall

2011-07-27T14:47:00.003-04:00

If you haven't seen GASLAND, get thee to Rhinebeck tonight! --

Wednesday, July 27
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Rhinebeck Town Hall
80 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY

Presented by the Real Majority Project
and the Dutchess Peace Coalition

Contacts: Joel Tyner, Fred Nagel (845-876-7906)

Event link on Facebook

Susan H.

Sustainable Action Week at SUNY New Paltz

2011-04-25T15:33:00.004-04:00

April 25 to May 1

There's a lot of great stuff happening in New Paltz this week - check it out!

RSVP on Facebook

Field biologist Marc van Roosmalen to speak at SUNY Ulster

2011-04-20T15:46:00.005-04:00

Cultural Diversity Day with
Marc van Roosmalen
World-renowned field biologist and Amazon researcher
Wed., 4/20, 7 PM
Student Lounge
Vanderlyn Hall
SUNY Ulster
491 Cottekill Road
Stone Ridge

4/19/11: Carbon Nation @ BSP

2011-04-18T14:33:00.000-04:00

For event details, click here.

Photo: Peter Byck

Cents of Balance: Spring Is Sprunging

2011-03-26T20:37:00.000-04:00

Cents of Balance: Spring Is Sprunging: "Time to get ready. With the beautiful weather we had this weekend, you should have gotten your yard ready, and your fruit trees trimmed.&nbs..."

Coke's Recycling Grants are Open

2011-02-15T09:11:00.002-05:00

Here's the press release, unedited:

Coca-Cola and Keep America Beautiful Announce 2011 Recycling Bin Grant Program
Grants Provide Recycling Bins and Consultation for Parks, Schools, Offices, and Special Events

STAMFORD, Conn. (Feb. 14, 2011) — The Coca-Cola Company and Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB) today announced the Coca-Cola/KAB Recycling Bin Grant Program, an effort designed to promote and support community recycling.

Grant recipients receive both donated recycling bins and expertise on how to set up recycling programs from Keep America Beautiful. This Bin Grant program is part of KAB’s larger Public Space initiative, an effort among KAB and its sponsors, such as Coca-Cola, to enhance the access to and convenience of recycling away from home. The grant program is also part of a $60 million investment by The Coca-Cola Company in recycling initiatives in the U.S.

“The great demand for recycling bins in public spaces reflects a growing interest in, and need for, expanded recycling access away from home,” said Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. “We’re thankful to The Coca-Cola Company for its support of this bin grant program, and the company's commitment to community recycling nationwide.”

The spring 2011 grant cycle opens today, Monday, Feb. 14. Interested parties may visit http://bingrant.org and submit an online grant application through March 18, 2011. Eligible grant recipients include government agencies, civic organizations, schools and nonprofit groups. Successful applicants will be notified on or before April 15.

Since its inception in the fall of 2007, the Bin Grant program has placed more than 16,000 recycling bins in 320 communities in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Recipients have included municipalities, colleges, Native American tribes, and community- based NGOs.

“The entire recycling process begins when a consumer chooses to put their empty beverage container in a recycle bin instead of the trash,” said John Burgess, president of Coca-Cola Recycling LLC. “Through our work with KAB to provide bins to community-based organizations, we can help raise recycling rates by making recycling more accessible to more consumers.”

Single Family Homes, Senior Housing, Hotel? What's the Future of 600 Acres on the Hudson?

2011-01-28T08:23:00.003-05:00

With the intended abandonment by Cabrini of their 600-acre West Park property on the Hudson River, the future of a huge tract of riverfront land adjacent to the Marist Bros. property and the Burroughs' Riverby house, and across from Vanderbilt, is up in the air.

The three ideas that have become public are 1. single-family housing, 2. senior housing or 3. a hotel. That's according to Supervisor Coutant's quote in the Freeman.

The Record and the Journal are also following the story, and the Watershed Post is aggregating the news.

FEMA Implements Flood Insurance Provisions

2011-01-14T22:42:00.001-05:00

As of January 1, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)began implementing a flood insurance provision to the National FloodInsurance Program (NFIP) to help reduce the financial burden placed onproperty owners whose buildings are newly mapped into a high-riskflood area. The NFIP’s Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) offers low-costflood insurance to owners and tenants of eligible residential and non-residential buildings located in moderate- to low-risk areas.

Before 2003, more than 70 percent of the nation’s flood maps were atleast ten years old. Congress passed a law and appropriated funds in2003 directing FEMA to create the five-year Flood Map Modernizationprogram, which used more current data and the latest technology toupdate the maps. Consequently, many property owners are finding theirbuildings have been accurately mapped into higher risk areas. Agingflood control infrastructure, including levees, dams, and otherstructures have also resulted in large numbers of properties beingdesignated within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) where they arerequired by lenders to purchase flood insurance.

For more information and links to fact sheets and answers toFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please see:http://www.semo.state.ny.us/programs/mitigation/federal_flood_insuran...
Rick Lord
Chief of Mitigation Programs & Agency Preservation Officer
NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
NYS OEM Office of Emergency Management
1220 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12226-2251
518.292.2370 landline 518.322.4983 fax 518.867.9482 cell
www.dhses.ny.gov
P Please don't print if you don't have to
New York State Warning PointNew York State Office of Emergency Management
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services24/7 Phone: (518) 292-220024/7 fax: (518) 322-498224/7 Email: ny...@dhses.ny.gov (Note New EMAIL Address)

Supporting the Removal of PCBs from the Hudson

2011-01-02T13:11:00.002-05:00

At the December 20th meeting of the Environmental Subcommittee a resolution was brought forward supporting the continued removal of PCBs from the Hudson. Despite lobbying from GE representatives, and an early letter from the County Chairman, Clearwater spokesperson Manna Jo Greene presented information that moving forward with removal of PCBs was necessary.

DEC: Hudson River Communities Must Prepare for Sea Level Rise

2010-12-01T10:05:00.004-05:00

I haven't read the whole report, but I jumped to drinking water treatment because that's the first and most important impact I would expect Esopus will deal with. Here's what the report said:

Salt water intrusion...threatens the Hudson River, which is a primary water supply source for many communities.... Saltwater intrusion could affect freshwater intakes at the Chelsea Pumping Station, Castle Point Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, Port Ewen, Highland/Town of Lloyd, Dutchess County Water Authority, and Rhinebeck.

In addition, flooding and other sea level rise impacts pose many of the same risks to drinking water treatment facilities as those that threaten other infrastructure types: corrosion, erosion and deterioration.

Water treatment plants in the coastal zone are at risk from flooding and the associated corrosion caused by salt water infiltraion. In addition to the treatment facilities themselves, the substrate for distribution pipes could be damaged by erosion and a rising groundwater table....

Costs of necessary repairs, placements and updates to New York State's water infrastructure over the next 20 years have been estimated at $38.7 billion, although estimates of the costs of modifications to respond to climate change specifically have not been developed. These costs will, however, be significant.

In my mind, the Port Ewen water treatment plant has already likely been damaged by climate change, in combination with poor runoff management. Why? Climate change is expected to produce more frequent strong storms, and it's very strong storms on the order of 100-year storms that have repeatedly caused erosion that damaged the water treatment plant.

10/19/10: GASLAND at UUCC Kingston

2010-10-19T12:03:00.000-04:00

If you haven't seen GASLAND yet,
get thee to the UUCC tonight! --

7 PM on Tuesday, October 19
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills
320 Sawkill Road
Kingston, NY

Sponsored by the Social Action Committee of UUCC
as part of its Issues Of Our Times series. Free admission.
For more information, call Paula at 845-679-2821.

10/18/10: NYS Gubernatorial Debate

2010-10-18T14:40:00.000-04:00

Tonight at 7 PM:
Watch the first-ever NYS Gubernatorial Debate
live — on your TV or online.

Water, water everywhere....

2010-10-15T17:35:00.001-04:00

Today is Blog Action Day 2010. The topic is water.

Now showing: GASLAND at Upstate Films

2010-10-05T16:05:00.008-04:00

If you haven't seen GASLAND yet, here's your chance! It's showing this week - Tues (10/5), Wed. (10/6), and Thurs. (10/7) at 5:45 PM and 8 PM - at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, NY.

When Catskill/Pocono filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for natural gas drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies, and contamination. Fox encounters EPA whistleblowers, congressmen, world-recognized scientists, and some of the most incredibly inspiring and heart-wrenching stories of ordinary Americans fighting against fossil fuel giants for environmental justice.

Fox: "Right now the Marcellus Shale is under attack by natural gas drillers. Nowhere is it more important for citizens to see GASLAND and get engaged in fighting unregulated hydro-fracking than in the Catskills. "

Congressman Maurice Hinchey: "GASLAND is a very important film about the risks posed by hydraulic fracturing - a method of drilling for natural gas that currently lacks proper oversight. We've seen what happens when energy companies are granted unfettered access to our precious natural resources without that oversight. In the wake of one of the largest environmental disasters in our nation's history, as millions of gallons of oil spew into the Gulf of Mexico, it is abundantly clear that we simply cannot rely on the promises made by those who have everything to gain and nothing to lose from drilling. We cannot allow drilling to move forward without rules in place to protect drinking water and our overall environment."

An important and timely exposé, GASLAND reveals the practices of the largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history. Developed by Halliburton, hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," has swept across the United States, opening up new territory in 34 states to extensive drilling, including the Marcellus Shale, a vast formation that underlies most of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as the New York watershed and the Catskills/Poconos.

Take Action:
1. Submit written comments on NYS DEC's Draft Strategic Plan for State Forest Management by 10/29. Let's ask DEC to remove the entire Mineral Resources section (pages 225 to 242) from this document, and ask that our state forests never be leased to the gas industry.
2. Visit these sites for more action items:
http://dontfrackwithny.com/
http://frackaction.com/
http://gaslandthemovie.com/
http://www.riverkeeper.org/

9/23/10: Public hearing on NYS DEC's State Forest Management Plan

2010-09-23T15:22:00.007-04:00

Public hearing tonight (9/23):
6:30 to 9:30 PM
DEC Region 3 Headquarters
Main Conference Room
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz

The NYS DEC's Draft Strategic Plan for State Forest Management includes information about how DEC will proceed with leasing our state forests* for natural gas exploration and use of water for gas extraction once the DEC's SGEIS on hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") is finalized.

Meeting agenda:
6:30 to 7 PM - Sign in (and sign up if you want to speak)
You can also speak "one-on-one" with DEC personnel at this time
7 PM - Welcome
7:10 PM - Presentation about the draft plan (20 to 30 minutes)
7:40 to 9:30 PM - Public comments on all aspects of the draft plan

Let's ask DEC to remove the entire Mineral Resources section (pages 225 to 242) from this document, and ask that our state forests never be leased to the gas industry.

For the full plan and information about the public hearings, go to:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/64567.html

Written comments will be accepted through October 29.

For more information about fracking, go to:
http://frackaction.com/
http://gaslandthemovie.com/

* These forests include 786,000 acres, but not do not include the Adirondack or Catskill Forest Preserves.

Uh oh. Emerald Ash Borer Found in Saugerties

2010-07-22T16:35:00.005-04:00

I don't know off hand how much of Esopus's forest cover is made up of ash trees, but it's very likely threatened now that the ash borer, an invasive species that has been spreading out of the Midwest in recent years (where it has been very destructive), has been found in Saugerties. One of the key strategies employed to stop its spread is to never transport firewood. Now that it's in our area, it's particularly important that people do not transport firewood from here to elsewhere.

Photo: David Cappaert/ US Forest Service

7/17/10: GASLAND at Onteora HS with Josh Fox & Maurice Hinchey

2010-07-15T17:36:00.001-04:00

Ulster County Recycles 40% (Yay!) Esopus Recycles Less than 20% (Boo!)

2010-04-29T16:12:00.007-04:00

The Freeman had an article this week with good news: Ulster County has met a goal of recycling 40% of municipal waste. Though one factor for the county's success was the bad economy (less stuff bought by individuals and fewer buildings built, resulted in less waste and less construction debris), it's still a positive sign.

Unfortunately, Esopus recycled just 18.6 percent of its waste in 2009, according to Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency data -- among the worst in Ulster County:

2009 Ulster County Recycling Rates

New Paltz - 62.0 %
Hurley - 58.7 %
Shawangunk - 45.9 %
Gardiner - 44.3 %
Marbletown - 39.9 %
Rosendale - 36.9 %
Lloyd - 30.9 %
Saugerties - 30.0 %
Ulster - 28.9 %
Marlborough - 28.1 %
Plattekill - 24.7 %
Olive - 23.9 %
Esopus - 18.7 %
Wawarsing - 18.6 %
Hardenburgh - 18.5%
Kingston - 17.3 %
Denning - 16.7 %
Rochester - 16.7 %

Esopus is unique among those low-performing towns (under 20% recycled) in that its recycling rate has dropped consistently over the past three years: from 23.6 percent in 2007 and 22.3 percent in 2008.

The Shawangunk, Gardiner and Plattekill transfer stations used to be run by the same contractor that runs Esopus transfer station, but each is now run by town employees. Esopus is the only town in Ulster County to pay a contractor to run its transfer station.

In 2008 and 2009 combined, Esopus spent, on average, $15.98 per ton of recyclables and $102.89 on municipal solid waste (ie, landfill). In other words, it cost $0.16 cents to recycle for every dollar it cost to landfill waste.

In calendar year 2008 and 2009, the Esopus transfer station ran a $91,000 combined deficit, a loss which is borne by local taxpayers. The cost to landfill waste amounted to 46% of that cost, and the cost of contracting for its operation was 52%.The cost of recycling was just 1.5%.

More to come.

4/24/10: Breathe Green Esopus!

2010-04-23T11:58:00.005-04:00

To celebrate Earth Day, the Town of Esopus Environmental Board is holding its fourth annual tree and shrub seedling giveaway for Town of Esopus residents on April 24 at the Town of Esopus Library, 128 Canal Street, Port Ewen. Residents of the Town of Esopus can pick up seedlings from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM during the "Breathe Green Esopus" event.

The seedlings are available free of charge. Pre-ordering is not necessary. Residents can just stop by and select seedlings that fit their planting needs.

The species of seedlings available include Northern Bayberry, Wild Raisin and Dwarf Sand Cherry. Each resident is entitled to three seedlings of any variety, as supplies last.

Planting trees and shrubs reduces erosion, provides food and shelter for wildlife, adds value to properties, filters water pollutants and sequesters carbon dioxide. In addition, planting species native to New York, such as Northern bayberry, wild raisin and sand cherry is preferable to planting invasive foreign plants, which may crowd out native species of not only plants, but the insects, birds and animals that rely on them. The benefits of planting a seedling magnify over the years, and last for a generation or more. The specific attributes associated with the seedlings being offered are as follows:

Northern Bayberry
A remarkably versatile shrub, this sun-loving shrub is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but as one of the few shrubs which can fix nitrogen, Northern Bayberry can grow well on even the poorest sandy soils. The leaves make great potpourri, and the waxy gray berries are the source of fragrant bayberry candles. The berries are held well into winter and are eaten by many bird species. Bayberry makes a fine urban or roadside shrub because of its high tolerance for salt spray and its resistance to insect pests and diseases. It can be pruned as a hedge or allowed to spread as a low maintenance ground cover shrub.

Wild Raisin
Also known as Withe-rod for its long flexible shoots, Wild Raisin is most notable for its clusters of berries, which turn from pink to red to dark blue, often showing multiple colors in a single cluster. When the berries finally turn black, they are fully ripe and can be eaten. The flat-topped clusters of small white flowers are attractive in contrast to the glossy, somewhat leathery, green leaves. In fall, the leaves turn multiple shades of red. Although Wild Raisin grows well on a variety of sites, it is more tolerant of wet conditions than many viburnums, and makes a nice addition to a riparian site.

Dwarf Sand Cherry
One of the few naturally prostrate native shrubs, Dwarf Sand Cherry grows less than 18 inches high, but develops long creeping branches that develop roots where they touch the ground. Its low spreading habit and extensive roots make Dwarf Sand Cherry valuable for stabilizing slopes. It also makes a beautiful shrub for urban planting, especially where its branches can trail from raised beds or across gravel mulch.

Residents should plan to plant the bare-root seedlings as soon as possible. Instructions and advice will be available at the event. DEC Community Forester Lou Sebesta will be available to answer questions about tree planting, tree pruning and all other tree-related questions.
The Environmental Board is a volunteer advisory board to the Town of Esopus. Board members will be available to discuss energy efficiency, recycling, natural resources and other local environmental issues.

Celebrating Rachel Carson on Ada Lovelace Day

2010-03-24T19:02:00.002-04:00

In honor of Women's History Month and Ada Lovelace Day, check out my blog post on environmental activist Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring...

Finally, a Place to Proplery Dispose of Drugs in Ulster County

2010-03-23T17:09:00.003-04:00

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, which is partially funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, was created to bring hazardous waste disposal services into the community and to provide a drop off location for Ulster County residents. By offering alternatives for the safe disposal of household hazardous waste, Ulster County is taking a proactive role in protecting the environment by preventing these items from ending up in landfills or contaminating water sources and wastewater treatment plants.

This collection provides a free and safe disposal alternative for hazardous pesticides, solvents and household chemicals. Materials being accepted are lead and oil based paint (Note: latex paint will not be accepted as it is not a hazardous material), fertilizers, pesticides, household cleaners, paint solvents, hobby chemicals, etc. Also being accepted at the event are electronics for recycling for a $7 per carload fee: computers and their components, VCRs/DVD players, keyboards, printers, monitors/TVs, etc.

In addition to household hazardous waste and electronics, residents will also have the opportunity to discard their unused and/or expired medications at this event. When pills or liquid medicines are poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet they remain diluted in the water supply after treatment and these trace amounts are suspected of causing a range of health problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Bring any prescription or over-the-counter pills, ointments, lotions and liquids for disposal. Liquid medications should be in their original packaging and inside sealable plastic bags. Pet medications are welcome as well. The entire container along with its medicine will be placed into a sealed waste receptacle.

A Deputy Sherriff of Ulster County will be on site to control the collection of these medications as well as to witness the best means of permanent disposal of medications at the Dutchess County Energy-From-Waste Facility located in Poughkeepsie. There is no charge for this service but registration for an appointment is required.

An appointment must be scheduled if you are interested in participating in the event. Please visit our website at www.ucrra.org or call the Recycling Hotline at (845) 336-3336 to request more information or to make an appointment.

Forum on Innovative New Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energy Financing Options is Feb. 27

2010-02-09T10:18:00.003-05:00

The PACE program discussed below is a great option for homeowners, that allows you to invest in certain renewable energy and efficiency projects but pay them off over time. If you sell the house, the remaining payments are the responsibility of the new homeowner, and typically the deals are designed so your monthly energy savings is equal to or greater than the loan payments. The catch: It requires each local municipality to enact legislation creating the program. Here is info on an upcoming conference that includes information about the project and others:

KEEPING PACE WITH ENERGY OPTIONS:
A Briefing on New Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energy Initiatives
and Funding Strategies for Municipalities

Sat., Feb. 27, 9 AM - 1 PM
SUNY/New Paltz Lecture Center 102
(SNOW DATE: Sat., March 13)

This is a forum about new financing strategies for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, which will build momentum and create markets for green jobs.

· PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) programs, just authorized by NY State, enable property owners to upgrade buildings using low-cost loans without out-of-pocket upfront costs then repay the investment on their tax bill with dollars saved from reduced energy consumption. Renewable energy and efficiency upgrades can be designed to yield positive cash flow benefits from day one.
· Power Purchase Agreements allowing owners of large buildings to contract for solar installations and pay for installation costs out of energy cost-savings.
· NYSERDA's programs for local governments, businesses, and schools; including Green Job/Green NY.
· The Ten Percent Challenge, a framework to hasten the implementation of energy efficiency and renewables and draw attention to the Hudson Valley as a clean energy corridor.
· Vendor show with sustainable energy-related exhibits and other green businesses, which will showcase products and services with a sustainable lifestyle theme.

Featured Speakers include:

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill
Representative of the 101st Assembly District and
Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Energy.

Karen E. Villeneuve
Director of NYSERDA’s Residential Efficiency and Affordability Program

Jackson Morris
Senior Policy Advisor, Pace Energy and Climate Center (PECC), representing PECC and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in advancing clean energy policies in the State Capitol.

David Gabrielson, Councilman,
Town of Bedford's case study of a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) initiative

Patrice Courtney Strong
Outreach and educational services provider for New York State Energy Research & Development Authority
and coordinator of Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities.

Michael O'Hara
Director of Operations, Sustainable Hudson Valley, organizing the Ten Percent Challenge.

Sponsors and Collaborators: Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., Hudson River Estuary Training Program, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Hudson Valley Regional Council, Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance, League of Women Voters of Mid-Hudson Region, Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities/NYSERDA , SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO), and Sustainable Hudson Valley.

Endorsing Organizations (Partial List): Ashokan Center, Building Performance Contractors Association/NY State, Dutchess County Association of Supervisors and Mayors, Historic Hudson River Towns, Hudson Valley Climate Change Network, Independent Dutchess Energy Alliance (IDEA), The Nature Conservancy, New Paltz GreenWorks, Pace Energy and Climate Center, S3 Consulting, Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors and Mayors, US Green Building Council-NY Upstate Chapter.

Registration: Please go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/K97DXYP to register. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged to facilitate morning check in. Event is free, however tax-deductable donations are welcome; checks should be made payable to League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Parking: Please use Lot 2 for Lecture Center, located on the western edge of the campus off of Fairview Ave. From intersection of Rt. 299/32 and Rt. 208, turn south on Rt. 208, then turn left (east) onto Hasbrouck Ave., turn right onto Tricor Ave., turn left onto Mohonk Ave. and finally right onto Fairview Ave. Alternately, park at Sojourner Truth Library lot. See: www.newpaltz.edu/map for campus map

Volunteers Needed for Herring Survey

2010-02-01T08:50:00.004-05:00

The DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program is seeking volunteers to help with a survey of river herring abundance in the Hudson's tributaries. The herring monitoring program runs from April 1 - May 31, at the time when herring would be expected to be spawning. Herring spend their lives in the ocean, but spawn in the tributaries of inland rivers like the Hudson. Up and down the Atlantic coast, herring numbers have been in steep decline, and other states have restricted or banned fishing for herring in order to encourage a recovery. Anecdotal evidence suggests the same decline is happening on the Hudson; however, until this survey began last year, scientists had little recent hard data to measure the abundance of herring in the Hudson (with the exception of American shad, the biggest of the herring, and for hundreds of years the most important food fish caught in the river; commercial fishing for shad is banned, starting in 2010 in an effort to correct historic population declines.) River herring numbers (blueback and alweife herring) may be in decline because they are caught in large numbers as bait for striped bass anglers. Black Creek once had a huge spawning run of herring, but anecdotal evidence suggests it has waned or even disappeared. Black Creek is the only monitoring site in Ulster County.

Volunteers are asked to look for signs of herring, at least twice a week for 15 minutes. Training will be provided and no experience is necessary.

For more information, email r3hermon@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call 845-256-3182.

The Hudson River Estuary Program is also currently taking public comment on its latest Action Agenda, the document that guides the public-private effort to restore and protect the Hudson River watershed. You can learn a lot just by reading the plan, but it's also good to comment if you want to support or criticize any aspects of the plan.

Winter Fun Day at Esopus Meadows Preserve is Monday, Jan. 18

2010-01-12T15:06:00.001-05:00

From Scenic Hudson:

"Banish cabin fever by letting your kids do something fun, free -- and good for them -- on their day off. Join us on Monday, January 18 at our Esopus Meadows Preserve for our annual Winter Fun Day. In addition to sledding and ice skating, we'll offer guided snowshoe treks, tips on building snow caves and igloos and Native American fire-making demonstration.

"Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the RSVP page for additional details and a schedule and directions."

Funding Source for Small Community Projects

2010-01-11T10:47:00.004-05:00

Museums, afterschool programs, libraries, community centers, and other local organizations are encouraged to apply for mini-grants from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Celebrate Urban Birds” project. Grants average $250-$500 and are used to fund neighborhood events that may involve art, gardening, science, community service or other cultural activities. To apply for a mini-grant, visit www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org. Organizations working with underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. No experience with birds is required.

Application deadline is February 15, 2010.

Celebrate Urban Birds is a free, year-round citizen science project in which participants watch birds in their neighborhoods and report what they see. This information helps scientists better understand how birds survive in cities and make use of green spaces, including parks and gardens.

New Watershed Mapping Tool Available

2009-12-10T10:31:00.003-05:00

Here's a new and potentially useful tool for mapping natural resources in Esopus:

"Today, the Hudson River Watershed Alliance in partnership with the Hudson Valley Regional Council, unveiled a new mapping service that will help local decision makers and watershed groups better understand the environmental resources in their communities. The Hudson River Watershed Atlas is a regional online mapping service designed to enable users to visualize, explore, assess and better understand the natural resources and built systems of the Hudson River Estuary watershed.

"The Atlas is built using an Adobe PDF platform, which allows users to select from a menu of 28 informative data layers to customize their own map. There are a total of 20 map panels that together provide geographic coverage of the Hudson River Estuary watershed. Each panel includes 25 different data layers which can be independently turned on and off, with three different possible background layers. Examples of data layers include, among others, streams, hydric soils, wetlands, FEMA floodplains, potential environmental justice areas, MS4 communities, lakes and ponds, fishing and public access points.

"The Hudson River Watershed Atlas can be accessed at www.hudsonwatershed.org. The Hudson Valley Regional Council obtained a grant in 2007 to enhance the capacity of the Hudson River Watershed Alliance and to undertake several projects. The Watershed Atlas has been funded in part by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation."

Cap and Trade

2009-12-05T00:21:00.004-05:00

I thought to share with you all Annie Leonard's (of The Story of Stuff) new offering, "The Story of Cap and Trade". By all accounts this is an introductory video to a very complex issue. It looks like more windfall profits for the financial industry and polluters with us holding the bag and suffering the consequences for a carbon tax by another name. She has it right, lets spend our effort on real carbon reducing like wind, solar and efficiency and not give the polluters new tools to fleece us. I read tonight that John Kerry is a big supporter of Cap and Trade but has failed to support the Cape Wind energy project in his own backyard. Dave Murray

16 September Events

2009-09-01T12:16:00.001-04:00

The following are some of the potentially relevant and/or interesting September calendar items distributed by Manna Jo Greene:

Tues., Sept. 1, Wetland Habitat Creation and Turtle Conservation Science, a one day workshop in Dutchess County for land managers, regulators involved with review of wetland permits, environmental policy-makers, ecological restorationists, or researchers studying rare wetland animals. Led by Erik Kiviat, Tanessa Hartwig and Gretchen Stevens. www.hudsonia.org 845-758-0600.

Fri., Sept. 4, 11 AM - 3 PM, Open Garden Day. Visit Master Gardener demonstration gardens- Shade, Edible Landscape, Xeriscape, Bird & Butterfly, plus the Nutrition Education (Grow a Row for the Hungry) and Biomass for Heat Crops gardens. Free tours at 11 & 1, garden information table, delicious food samples prepared from our garden harvest. Everyone is welcome!, Dutchess County Farm & Home Center, 2715 Rt 44, Millbrook. Questions? Contact Nancy Halas (horticulture) 845-677-8223 x 115, nh26@cornell.edu or Joy Weber-Maass (foods/nutrition) 845-677-8223 x 116, jw649@cornell.edu

Fri., Sept. 4, 7 pm & Sat. Sep. 5 (11-5, 7pm concert). CATSKILL MOUNTAIN ECO-HERITAGE FESTIVAL. Alternative energy demos & displays, interpretive walks, colonial craft demos, "Stories of the Catskills" by the Woodstock Oral History Collective, music by: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Mike & Ruthy, Rich Bala & the Barefoot Boys. Food available for purchase throughout the day. $5/person (Sat. day). $10/person for concert & dance. The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, NY. (845) 657-8333. www.AshokanCenter.org .

Thurs. Sept. 17, 8am-2pm THE SEQRA SOLUTION: FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE, SUNY New Paltz, Explore and discuss how SEQRA could be revised or applied more efficiently. Featuring officials, developers, attorneys and environmental advocates. $40 members, $50 non-members, $30 municipal officials. Agenda information at www.pattern-for-progress.org or call 845-565-4900 for more information

Thurs., Sept. 17, Oct 1 & 15 • 6 - 9 pm, Intro to Permaculture Design. This holistic approach to land stewardship reaches beyond the concept of sustainable design and culminates in a dynamic, productive, and energy efficient design for your urban or rural home landscape, your garden and orchard, or your communities and villages. Stone Ridge Campus & Camp Epworth. Continuing Education: 845-339-2025, www.sunyulster.edu, $125

Sat., Sept. 19, noon - 3 pm, Raising Chickens 101. Learn the fun facts about raising chickens at home for fun or profit. Learn to care for your mature chickens including coop design ideas, predator control, health issues, and proper feeding. Little Egg Farm, Stone Ridge. Continuing Education: 845-339-2025, www.sunyulster.edu, $49

Sat. & Sun., Sept 19 & 20, Noon to 6 p.m., WORKING ON WATER BOAT TOUR. Free rides and deck tours on historic tugs, fireboat, PT boat, educational activities, free trolley rides and lighthouse tours. Rondout Waterfront, Kingston. Schedule: www.WorkingOnWater.org

Sept. 24-27. BOUNTY OF THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY. NYSOEA's annual conference (nysoea.org/conference.htm). Pre-conference field trips to Constitution Marsh, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum and Scenic Hudson parks, with a special sail on the Clearwater. Workshops will be held along the banks of the Hudson in Beacon and on the Fishkill Ridge/Hudson Highlands at the Fresh Air Fund's Sharpe Reservation. Arm of the Sea will present their new Quadricentennial show. shereth@scenichudson.org

Fri., Sept. 25, 7 p.m. THE HUDSON RIVER: TRANSFORMATION AND UNDERSTANDING. A special evening of art and science. Freshwater Ecologist Dr. David Strayer will discuss how human actions have transformed the Hudson River and its watershed. Following the seminar will be a reception for landscape painter Rebecca Allan; her work inspired by riparian environments, including the Hudson River watershed. Cary Institute Auditorium, 2801 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook. Free. RSVPs appreciated. 677-7600 x121 or freeman@caryinstitute.org

Sat., Sept. 26 (tentative time 9am-3:30pm) BIG ANNUAL MID-HUDSON SIERRA TAG SALE at the New Hackensack Church, Rt. 376, Wappingers Fall; indoors, rain/shine. Contact Bibi at bibis@juno.com

Sat., Sept., 26, 10-4, 7TH ANNUAL MARGARETVILLE CAULIFLOWER FESTIVAL sponsored by Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce. Margaretville Village Park. A FREE celebration of agricultural heritage, local food and community. Tractor Parade at 11:30 a.m. Continuous entertainment; Pure Catskills, Forestry, History and Wellness Tents; food by local restaurants; cooking demos; kid stuff; fine art and crafts. Rain or shine! www.cauliflowerfestival.com . 845-586-3300

Sat., Sept. 26 • 10 am - 1 pm, A Day at the Farmers Market. Learn why you should buy local, and taste the bounty of our area with special samples set up just for this class. The class will have a picnic lunch with their purchases from the market. You will receive a printed set of recipes using fresh local ingredients. Kingston Farmers Market Continuing Education: 845-339-2025, www.sunyulster.edu, $29

Sat., Sep 26, 7:30 p.m. NIKOLA TESLA: THE ENIGMA, filmmaker Milan Cupurdija talks about Tesla, who invented wireless communication, robotics, and attempted to bring unlimited electric power to the entire world. Demonstrations of inventions. At Unitarian Congregation, 320 Sawkill Rd. Kingston. Presented by the HV Humanists, Ed Poll (845) 247-0098, $4 donation

Tues., Sept 29 & Weds., Sept. 30, 9:00-4:45. STATE OF THE HUDSON RIVER WATERSHED: A Conference on the Ecological Status of the Hudson and its Tributaries, presented by the HRES, HRWA, and many more organizations, in Hyde Park. For information and registration, see www.hres.org or www.hudsonwatershed.org . Cost: $95 before 9/18.

Tues., Sept .29, 5:30 - 8:30 pm, Hudson River Environmental Society’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Award Dinner, featuring Hudson River author, Robert Boyle, at the Terrapin, Dinsmore Golf Club, 5371 Albany Post Road (Rte 9), Staatsburg. For details and on-line registration: www.hres.org

Weds., Sept. 30, 6PM, LEAST-COST METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING, USGBC NY Upstate Hudson Valley Branch answers a question from Ulster YouthBuild Partnership, Sponsored by Cuddy & Feder LLP, Skytop Steakhouse, Kingston NY, Contact Michelle Garesché, 917-282-5248, mgaresche@ccooperassociates.com , www.greenupstateny.org , suggested donation $ see website.

Esopus Accepts Solar Power Bid

2009-07-27T09:10:00.001-04:00

From the July 21 Freeman:

PORT EWEN — The Town Board has approved a $492,000 contract with Balston Spa-based contractor Alteris Renewables to install a solar energy system expected to meet 52 percent of electric needs for the Esopus Town Hall.

Read the rest of the story here.

Omega Institute opening

2009-07-15T17:59:00.002-04:00

The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY is having a grand opening of its Omega Center for Sustainable Living on Thursday, July 16th at 3:30PM, 150 Lake Drive in Rhinebeck. Tours of the facility will be given. This building supplies all its energy needs and it filters its own wastewater in a 4,500 sq ft greenhouse using plants, bacteria, algae, snails and fungi...WOW. I plan to make the trip to see this remarkable place!

3 Esopus Sites Listed as Priorities for Conservation in 2009 NY Open Space Plan

2009-07-01T16:14:00.004-04:00

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently released its 2009 Open Space Conservation Plan, which includes a list of high-priority areas for conservation. The areas listed as "regional priority conservation projects" are eligible for funding from the State's Environmental Protection Fund, and other state, federal and local funding sources.

"For most of the project areas identified, a combination of State and local acquisition, land use regulation, smart development decisions, land owner incentives and other conservation tools used in various combinations, will be needed to succeed in conserving these open space resources for the long term," the plan reads. "Many of the priority project areas are large and will require a balance between conservation and compatible, natural resource sensitive economic development."

As many as three or four of the 135 priority conservation projects in the state have land in the Town of Esopus. Three are listed here. A possible fourth is the Shawangunk Mountain region. Whether or not Esopus is a focus are of protection for the Wallkill Valley is unclear, as the focus seems to be upriver, possibly because Esopus has not participated in previous biodiversity mapping efforts. (The Northern Wallkill Biodiversity Plan, authored by Danielle T. LaBruna and Michael W. Klemens, prepared by the Metropolitan Conservation Alliance / Wildlife Conservation Society and funded by the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, includes this note: "This project began as a four-municipality initiative which included the Town of Esopus. However, the Esopus Town Board was unable to commit to assist in requesting site access for biodiversity surveys. MCA was, therefore, not able to survey sufficient land area to warrant the inclusion of Esopus in this report. Due to Esopus’ rich biological resources, future cooperation with Esopus would enhance the Northern Wallkill Biodiversity Plan and should remain an option.")

The text below is lifted straight from the 2009 NYS Open Space Conservation Plan.

PLUTARCH / BLACK CREEK WETLANDS COMPLEX - This project encompasses a very large wetland complex in the Ulster County towns of Esopus, Lloyd and New Paltz, which is important because of its size and variety. It includes the Plutarch Swamp and other nearby wetlands associated with the Swarte Kill and Black Creek drainages as well as associated uplands for buffers, access and management. These wetlands provide habitat for numerous wetland-dependent wildlife species, including critical habitat for the threatened northern cricket frog. The area is important for breeding and migrating waterfowl and river otters. It includes significant and rare ecological communities, including one of the largest dwarf shrub bog occurrences in the Hudson River Valley. The area also could provide significant recreational opportunities including canoeing, hiking, wildlife observation, fishing, hunting and trapping.

KARST AQUIFER REGION - The Karst Aquifers are situated in a narrow band of carbonate rocks that extend throughout Ulster County, generally parallel with the Hudson River and trending southsouthwest, through portions of Saugerties, Kingston, Esopus, Marbletown, Rosendale, Rochester and Ellenville, continuously outcropping just northwest and along the flank of the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge. This region is characterized by such features as caves, sinkholes, mines, springs, lakes and sinking streams. The area is rich in biological, geological and historical resources, provides diverse outdoor recreational opportunities and critical water reserves.

WALLKILL VALLEY The Wallkill River begins in the mountains of northern New Jersey and enters New York via the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge on the NY/NJ border. From there it flows through the fertile black dirt region of southern Orange County and then winds through a variety of landscapes, some amazingly rich in biodiversity, joining the Rondout just south of the City of Kingston, Ulster County, a short distance from its confluence with the Hudson. It provides excellent opportunities for recreational fishing and boating. A recently completed Southern Wallkill Biodiversity Plan (Wildlife Conservation Society/Metropolitan Conservation Alliance) identifies critical areas in need of protection. In addition, Counties and local municipalities are beginning to plan for its protection and restoration through a Wallkill River Watershed Planning program. Through these planning processes open space priorities will be identified for future protection measures.

The Shawangunk National Wildlife Refuge (Galeville Grasslands) and surrounding agricultural landscape in southern Ulster and northern Orange County provide an area of rare grassland habitat large enough to support a suite of grassland-dependent birds including short-eared owls, northern harriers, upland sandpipers, vesper sparrows, grasshopper sparrows and many others. This area also provides significant recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching and hunting. Opportunities to conserve additional lands in this area should be pursued.

No Cost 90-day trial of solar street lighting

2009-06-11T14:43:00.002-04:00

Wanted: Cities to Try Solar Street Lighting
June 11, 2009
Eco Alternative Solutions, LLC is looking for 25 U.S. cities to participate in a no-cost 90 day trial of the recently announced Integrated Solar Series (ISS).

http://www.eponline.com/articles/72412

I wonder if our town might be eligible.

Esopus Meadows Lighthouse Seeks Volunteers for Weekly Work Parties

2009-05-10T09:37:00.005-04:00

The Friends of Esopus Meadows Lighthouse could use help on the project to restore the "Maid of the Meadows." Built in 1871 and put on the National Register of Historic Places about 100 years later, the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse is the Hudson's only remaining wooden lighthouse. (I had the good fortune to cover the story for the Poughkeepsie Journal in 2003 when the lighthouse was re-lit after 38 years of darkness.)

Work parties leave at 9 a.m. Sundays and Mondays through the warm season from Norrie Point Marina (Staatsburg, Dutchess County - enter via Norrie Point State Park from Rt. 9).

Here are additional details from The Esopus Meadows Lighthouse Website:

The normal schedule is Sundays and Mondays. The barge departs Norrie Point marina at 9 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. Wear old clothes, bring your lunch, favorite tools and join the crew! Last minute confirmation of work schedule will be available on 845-331-4083 or 845-848-3669. The weekend plans will be recorded each Thur evening and updated should there be a last minute change due to weather or what ever. Check before departing for Norrie. Leave a message if you have questions.

Upstream, Dealing With Flooding on the Wallkill

2009-05-09T22:41:00.004-04:00

The TH Record today has a report about steps taken (or, mostly, not taken) to address flooding on the Wallkill River, as well as the Esopus and Minisink. The Wallkill forms the western boundary of the Town of Esopus. The article focuses on efforts in the Black Dirt area of Orange County, once the nation's premiere onion-growing region and still a major agricultural center. The Black Dirt region is essentially a prehistoric swamp that's been mostly drained to create amazingly rich and productive soils ... that are also highly erodable.

One interesting point in the article:

"Since 2005, the Black Dirt has suffered three floods that models predict should happen only once every 50 years."

Note that climate scientists have predicted that global warming will result in more intense short bursts of precipitation. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation predicts that "Rising sea levels and strong storms will cause localized floods and threaten shoreline infrastructure and development," as one local consequence of global warming (from Fact Sheet: Climate Change in the Hudson Valley, also available as a printable pdf.

In other words, this upstream problem is likely to continue to affect the Town of Esopus in the coming years, so we should keep an eye on developments with this flood-control project.

"Rock Snot" Making Inroads in Ulster County

2009-04-27T23:02:00.005-04:00

An invasive algae known as "rock snot" or "didymo" is being found in more streams in Ulster County, most recently in the Esopus Creek (note: The Esopus Creek does not run through the Town of Esopus). The algae, Didymosphenia geminata, damages fish habitat and is of particular concern in trout streams like the Esopus. This is the third documented occurence of the algae in New York, and the first in Ulster County.

According to the DEC:

Unlike many other aquatic invasive plants, didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) grows on the bottom of both flowing and still waters. It is characterized by the development of thick, gooey mat-like growths - which can last for months - even in fast flowing streams. In addition to making footing difficult, didymo can impede fishing by limiting the abundance of bottom dwelling organisms that trout and other species of fish feed on. There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.

The Times Union story on the subject makes a critically important point: It's up to all of us -- anglers, kayakers, hikers, etc. -- to avoid spreading this algae from water body to water body. According to the DEC:

The microscopic algae can cling - unseen - to waders, boots, boats, clothing, lures, hooks, fishing line and other equipment and remain viable for several weeks under even in seemingly dry conditions. Absorbent items, such as felt-soled waders and wet suits, require thorough treatment.

The DEC recommends these steps:

Remove visible "snot" from self and gear when exiting water (throw remnants in the trash, don't flush down the drain), then cleanse items in one of these ways:

Soak for one minute or more with 140+ degree water (for highly absorbent items, soak for 40 minutes in water above 115-degrees, or for 30 minutes in a 115-degree solution of 5% dishwashing detergent
Soak for one minute or more in a 2% bleach solution
Soak for one minute or more in a 5% salt or dishwashing detergent solution
Place gear in freezer until frozen solid
Dry gear for at least 48 hours

Volunteers Needed to Monitor Herring In Black Creek

2009-04-20T10:24:00.003-04:00

Scientists need the help of the public in monitoring herring in Hudson River tributaries, including Black Creek in the Town of Esopus.

River herring come in two varieties -- blueback and alewife -- and are important fish in the ecology of both the river and ocean. Their numbers have been plummeting in many rivers up and down the East Coast, including -- most likely (data is scarce) on the Hudson. These fish are small and used to reproduce in huge numbers in most tributaries of the river; damming and other habitat loss, pollution and overfishing for food and bait (herring are popular bait fish for striped bass anglers) are likely contributing to their decline. Like many other species important to the Hudson, herring spend most of their lives in the ocean, but spawn in the river each spring.

Black Creek has traditionally been one of the best tributaries for catching herring -- but in recent years, local fishermen have reported that the spawning run has declined or disappeared.

Now to the volunteer opportunity. The following is from the Department of Environmental Conservation:

NYSDEC's Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River Fisheries Unit has initiated a volunteer-based river herring monitoring program during the annual migration of river herring from the ocean into freshwater tributaries to spawn.

We are looking for volunteers to monitor streams from now until 5/31. Monitoring involves looking to see if, where, and when herring spawning runs exist on these tributaries. Each volunteer will conduct visual
observations at least twice a week for 15 minutes at a site close to their town. Training is provided, no experience necessary. For more information on the program, please visit the website! . If you are interested in participating or would like to attend a training, contact us at r3hermon@gw.dec.state.ny.us or (845)256-3182.

The Sites:
(Albany County) Coeymans Creek, Vloman Kill
(Columbia County) Stockport Creek, Mill Creek
(Dutchess County) Fallkill, Wappinger Creek, Crum Elbow Creek
(Orange County) Moodna, Quassaick Creek
(Ulster County) Black Creek
(Westchester County) Croton River
(Rockland County) Minisceongo Creek, Sparkill Creek

Dolphin Found in Hudson in West Park

2009-04-20T10:18:00.002-04:00

This is a sad story, but shows the amazing vitality and abundance of the Hudson River. This note was in the Hudson River Almanac, published online weekly by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Hudson River Estuary Program.

4/7 - West Park, Ulster County, HRM 82: At 11:15 this morning we
received word that a kayaker had found a dolphin carcass on the west
bank of the Hudson River in West Park. It is likely that this was the
offshore bottlenose dolphin which eluded us around Thanksgiving.
- Kim Durham

To sign up to receive the E-Almanac, send an email message to hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us and write E-Almanac in the subject line.

Scenic Hudson Adds 3 Acres to Esopus Meadows Preserve

2009-04-10T07:08:00.002-04:00

Scenic Hudson has preserved another three acres of land at its Esopus Meadows Preserve on River Road, according to a story in Mid Hudson News.

Environmental benefits of protecting the land, according to Scenic Hudson, include the preservation of 200 feet of Hudson River shoreline visible from historic mansions and parks in Dutchess County (Mills Mansion, Wilderstein, Norrie Point State Park) and it preserves a large vernal pool where amphibians breed. (I've hiked at Esopus Meadows in the past couple weeks, and the peepers are going like mad.)

The surrounding area is part of the Esopus Meadows Biologically Important Area (pdf), designated in 1987 by New York State. The state deems this area "irreplaceable."

The following, about the designated Esopus Meadows Biologically Important Area, is copied from the NYS Department of State Division of Coastal Resources. (I would note that the text seems to reflect data from the time of the region's designation (1987) and that -- particularly when it comes to fish populations -- the information may be dated. The populations of fish in the Hudson River, with the exception of striped bass, shortnose sturgeon and a handful of others, have been in serious decline. The importance of this area to Atlantic sturgeon, American shad and other significant species may be much more critical today than it was 20 years ago.)

Ecosystem Rarity: Relatively large area of shallow, freshwater, tidal flats and aquatic beds; rare in New York State, but several larger areas exist.
Species Vulnerability: Shortnose sturgeon (federally endangered) may occur in the area, but habitat use not adequately documented.
Human Use: One of the most popular waterfowl hunting and recrea-tional fishing areas on the Hudson River;
commercial shad fishery of regional significance.
Population Level: A major concentration area for various fish species and waterfowl in the mid-Hudson Valley;
Replaceability: Irreplaceable.

HABITAT DESCRIPTION:
Esopus Meadows is located on the west side of the Hudson River, approximately four miles south of the City of Kingston, in the Town of Esopus, Ulster County (7.5' Quadrangles: Kingston East, N.Y.; and Hyde Park, N.Y.). The fish and wildlife habitat is an approximate 350 acre shoal in the river, most of which is shallow (less than 10 feet deep at mean low water), freshwater, intertidal mudflats, and subtidal aquatic beds (dominated by wild celery and Eurasian water milfoil). Esopus Meadows is located adjacent to a natural deepwater area in the Hudson River, so the area is not subject to disturbance from periodic maintenance dredging. The land area bordering Esopus Meadows is mostly wooded, with some low to medium density residential development where County Route 81 runs close to the shoreline.

FISH AND WILDLIFE VALUES:
Esopus Meadows is a relatively large, undisturbed area of shallow, freshwater, tidal flats. Areas such as this are extremely valuable fish and wildlife habitats in the Hudson River, and are not found in other coastal regions of New York State. Esopus Meadows is a productive littoral area located near the lowest reaches of shallow freshwater in the Hudson River, which is a critical area for many fish species. The shallow, subtidal beds provide spawning, nursery, and feeding habitats for anadromous species such as striped bass, American shad, and white perch, and for a variety of resident freshwater species, such as largemouth bass, carp, brown bullhead, yellow perch, and shiners. Concentrations of spawning anadromous fishes generally occur in the area between mid-March and July, with substantial numbers of young-of-the-year fish remaining well into the fall (October-November). Esopus Meadows may also serve as a feeding area for populations of shortnose sturgeon (E) wintering in the adjacent deepwater channel.

The abundant fisheries resources in the area provide excellent opportunities for recreational and commercial fishing, attracting fishermen from throughout the mid Hudson Valley. Esopus Meadows and the edge of the tidal flats support one of the best recreational striped bass fisheries in the Hudson estuary. Research collections have included capture of up to 10 striped bass over 20 pounds (maximum 45 pounds) in a single seine haul. Concentrations of black bass on and adjacent to Esopus Meadows also support a regionally important recreational fishery. Access to the area is available by boat and from much of the river shoreline north of Esopus Meadows Point.

Significant concentrations of waterfowl also occur in the Esopus Meadows area. Dense growths of submergent vegetation provide valuable feeding areas for many species of ducks, and are especially important during spring (March-April) and fall (mid-September - early December) migrations. Concentrations of diving ducks, such as scaups, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, and mergansers, are regularly found out in this area. This open water area is also used by dabbling ducks, including mallard, black duck, and blue-winged teal, especially during calm weather, and much of the area provides refuge from hunting pressure in shoreline areas. However, portions of Esopus Meadows that are accessible comprise one of the most popular waterfowl hunting areas on the lower Hudson River. Depending on weather conditions, some waterfowl may remain in the area throughout winter; mid-winter aerial surveys for the period 1976-1985 indicate average concentrations of approximately 80 birds in the area each year (500 in peak year), including black duck, mallard, canvasback, and mergansers. Although occasional observations have been reported, the extent to which other bird species, such as loons, grebes, gulls, and shorebirds, may use the area has not been well documented. However, the variety of birds observed here, and its accessibility, makes Esopus Meadows popular among many birdwatchers in the mid Hudson Valley.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT:
A habitat impairment test must be met for any activity that is subject to consistency review under federal and State laws, or under applicable local laws contained in an approved local waterfront revitalization program. If the proposed action is subject to consistency review, then the habitat protection policy applies, whether the proposed action is to occur within or outside the designated area.

The specific habitat impairment test that must be met is as follows. In order to protect and preserve a significant habitat, land and water uses or development shall not be undertaken if such actions would:
destroy the habitat; or,
significantly impair the viability of a habitat.
Habitat destruction is defined as the loss of fish or wildlife use through direct physical alteration, disturbance, or pollution of a designated area or through the indirect effects of these actions on a designated area. Habitat destruction may be indicated by changes in vegetation, substrate, or hydrology, or increases in runoff, erosion, sedimentation, or pollutants. Significant impairment is defined as reduction in vital resources (e.g., food, shelter, living space) or change in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, substrate, salinity) beyond the tolerance range of an organism. Indicators of a significantly impaired habitat focus on ecological alterations and may include but are not limited to reduced carrying capacity, changes in community structure (food chain relationships, species diversity), reduced productivity and/or increased incidence of disease and mortality. The tolerance range of an organism is not defined as the physiological range of conditions beyond which a species will not survive at all, but as the ecological range of conditions that supports the species population or has the potential to support a restored population, where practical. Either the loss of individuals through an increase in emigration or an increase in death rate indicates that the tolerance range of an organism has been exceeded. An abrupt increase in death rate may occur as an environmental factor falls beyond a tolerance limit (a range has both upper and lower limits). Many environmental factors, however, do not have a sharply defined tolerance limit, but produce increasing emigration or death rates with increasing departure from conditions that are optimal for the species. The range of parameters which should be considered in applying the habitat impairment test include but are not limited to the following:

physical parameters such as living space, circulation, flushing rates, tidal amplitude, turbidity, water temperature, depth (including loss of littoral zone), morphology, substrate type, vegetation, structure, erosion and sedimentation rates;
biological parameters such as community structure, food chain relationships, species diversity, predator/prey relationships, population size, mortality rates, reproductive rates, meristic features, behavioral patterns and migratory patterns; and,
chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, acidity, dissolved solids, nutrients, organics, salinity, and pollutants (heavy metals, toxics and hazardous materials).

Although not comprehensive, examples of generic activities and impacts which could destroy or significantly impair the habitat are listed below to assist in applying the habitat impairment test to a proposed activity. Any activity that would substantially degrade water quality in Esopus Meadows would result in significant impairment of the habitat. All species of fish and wildlife may be adversely affected by water pollution, such as chemical contamination (including food chain effects), oil spills, excessive turbidity or sedimentation, disposal. Continued efforts should be made to improve water quality in the Hudson River, which is primarily dependent upon controlling discharges from combined sewer overflows, industrial point sources, and ships. Oil and other hazardous substance spills are an especially significant threat to this area, because the biological activity of tidal flats is concentrated at the soil surface, much of which may be directly exposed to these pollutants. Disruption of plant communities or benthos in the area, through dredging, filling (including dredge spoil disposal), or bulkheading, could reduce its value as a fish and wildlife habitat. No new navigation channels should be cut through the area; any dredging activities needed to maintain the existing channel should be scheduled in mid to late summer to minimize potential impacts on most aquatic organisms and migratory birds. Thermal discharges, depending on time of year, may have variable effects on use of the area by aquatic species and wintering waterfowl. Installation and operation of water intakes could have a significant impact on juvenile (and adult, in some cases) fish concentrations, through impingement or entrainment.

Appropriate public access to Esopus Meadows should be maintained or enhanced to ensure that adequate opportunities for compatible human uses of the fish and wildlife resources are available.

Tree Seedling Giveaway - Breathe Green Esopus!

2009-03-31T13:09:00.005-04:00

The Town Of Esopus Environmental Board will present its Third Annual Breathe Green, Esopus! tree and shrub seedling giveaway on Saturday, April 18 from 1-4 p.m. at the new Town Hall, 284 Broadway (Route 9W).

Bare-root tree and shrub seedlings will be available free for town residents. Varieties available will include Mountain Ash, Witch Hazel and Toringo Crabapple.

Green leaves from trees produce oxygen for all of us. In the fall, they provide material for composting!

Also Saturday, April 18 in Port Ewen:

10 a.m. Old Town Library: Promoting Pride in Port Ewen hosts its Sidewalk Sweep street cleanup. Please bring a broom, dustpan and bucket.

4 p.m. Town Hall: Klyne Esopus Museum presents: American Indians In The Time Of Henry Hudson, a talk by Laurence Hauptman. (Part of New York's Quadricentennial celebration.)

Garden and lawn cleanup at Mt St Alphonsus

2009-03-30T16:56:00.001-04:00

The Saratogian has this note about a garden and lawn cleanup Saturday:

ESOPUS — The Mount St. Alphonsus Pastoral Center, located in the Hudson Valley, plans a Garden and Lawn Clean-up Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4.

The day is organized by Mount staff member Theresa Stewart and Redemptorist priest Fr. Eugene Grohe.

Volunteers, including religious education students who need to complete community service hours, are sought to participate in the cleanup.

Volunteers are asked to register prior to the event by calling Theresa Stewart at 845-384-8015, or e-mailing her at stewart@VisitTheMount.com.

Participants are asked to bring work gloves and lawn and garden tools.

The Mount is located on more than 400 acres of fields, forest and ponds, and also has more than one-half mile of riverfront property on the Hudson River. For more information, call 845-384-8015.

$754K Coming to Ulster County for Energy Efficiency Projects

2009-03-27T10:34:00.003-04:00

Ulster County is in line to receive $754,400, and NYSERDA $29.7 million, as part of the energy efficiency portion of Obama Administration's economic stimulus. According to the Department of Energy:

"The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements," according to the Department of Energy. "Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others."

At the federal level, there is significantly more money being put into these projects, and that money is filtering down to the local level. We should expect to see increased opportunities for matching grants, low-interest loans and other programs related to energy efficiency.

Scenic Hudson Adds 56 Acres to Shaupeneak Ridge

2009-03-20T18:19:00.003-04:00

Through a conservation easement that leaves the land in private ownership, Scenic Hudson has preserved another 56 acres on Shaupeneak Ridge. Stories in the Record and Mid Hudson News. That amounts to about a 10% increase in protected acreage; Scenic Hudson's Web site lists the existing preserve at 570 acres.

Clearwater's Public Sail Schedule

2009-03-03T14:34:00.002-05:00

Clearwater’s three-hour long sails on its tall ships, which take place under most weather conditions, are regarded to be one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences imaginable on the Hudson River. Each sail offers an opportunity to view the region’s beautiful vistas and historic landmarks from a new perspective while learning about the river’s ecosystem and environmental concerns as well.

Prices for the public sails are $50 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The adult price for members of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is $35. Although there is no refreshment stand on either vessel, guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages onboard (including beer and wine—but no hard alcohol).

April:
Saturday, 04/25 10am-1pm Beacon

May:
Saturday, 05/02 3-6pm Piermont
Saturday, 05/23 4-7pm 79th Street (Manhattan)
Monday, 05/25 Memorial Day 10-1 & 3-6pm 79th Street
Saturday, 05/30 6-9pm 79th Street

June:
Saturday, 06/20 & Sunday, 06/21: Public Sails, Great Hudson River Revival
Sunday, 06/28 2-5pm Kingston

July:
Sunday, 07/05 2-5pm Piermont
Saturday, 07/11 5-8pm Poughkeepsie
Saturday, 07/25 6-9pm 79th Street
Sunday, 07/26 2-5pm 79th Street

August:
Saturday, 08/01 3-6pm Red Hook
Sunday, 08/16 4-7pm Beacon
Wednesday, 08/19 6-9pm 79th Street
Saturday, 08/22 4-7pm Yonkers
Wednesday, 08/26 6-9pm Verplanck
Friday, 08/28 6-9pm West Point

(Mystic Whaler schedule)

Saturday, 05/23 & Sunday, 05/24: Special 5-hour sails from West Point
(all information and reservations through: 1-800-697-8420)
Saturday, 05/30 10am-1pm Beacon
Sunday, 06/14 Strawberry Festival 6-9pm Beacon
Saturday, 06/20 & Sunday, 06/21: Public Sails, Great Hudson River Revival

Bald eagle sighting in Port Ewen

2009-02-27T12:04:00.003-05:00

I just got word that there's a bald eagle perched at Medrex, clearly in view from Route 9W in Port Ewen. I'll try to follow with a photo.

I saw one glide over Ross park a couple weeks ago, headed toward the Hudson.

Eagles have recovered strongly on the Hudson River in the last roughly 10 years, and there are several nesting pairs that live along the river. In winter, many fly down from Canada, too, looking for open water and fish. Who knows is this one is a resident or visitor?

Is Esopus Ready for Energy Efficiency Money From the Federal Economic Stimulus Bill?

2009-02-26T10:06:00.002-05:00

Interesting piece in the NYTimes today about how some municipalities are preparing, but most are unprepared, to spend the billions in the economic stimulus bill that are to go toward energy efficiency. Is there something the environmental board can/should do to advise the town?

Birding Blog From Mount St Alphonsus

2009-02-24T07:47:00.003-05:00

I came across this blog today - written by an amateur birder, Tom Deely, living at The Mount.

Recycling Grant Opportunity Postponed

2009-02-20T10:51:00.003-05:00

I just received this from Coca Cola and the National Recycling Coalition. This is in reference to the grant program that supplies recycling bins for public places, like Main Street or parks.

Dear Recycling Leaders,

This message is being distributed to those requesting notification of the next Coca Cola / National Recycling Coalition Bin Grant cycle. The grant cycle originally scheduled for February, 2009 has been postponed until later in the year. New dates have not been set at this time. We will send further updates by email once a new grant schedule has been determined.

Thank you for your interest in the Bin Grant program and for supporting recycling in your community.

Alec Cooley
National Recycling Coalition

2/28/09: Sojourner Truth concert

2009-02-18T17:29:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Listening For Truth, a benefit concert to raise funds for a memorial to Sojourner Truth, will be presented on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 at 3 PM at the Reformed Church on Salem Street in Port Ewen.

The choral concert will feature the Esopus Festival Choir directed by Linda Bresnahan McCarthy, and the Ulster County Community Outreach Chorus, directed by Dennis Washington. Music will include a variety of songs and hymns, some written by Sojourner Truth, and period music she would have known. In addition, a dramatic reading will be presented.

Tickets will be available for a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Seating is limited. Refreshments will be provided.

Money raised at the concert, through donations, and in the future at other fundraisers will be used to erect a statue to Sojourner Truth in a park being constructed on Broadway in Port Ewen. As a slave, Sojourner Truth lived and worked in a tavern which stood on the site in the 19^th century.

In 2005, the Esopus Town Board voted to name the park in her honor and a citizen's committee organized the Memorial Fund to raise funds for the statue. The Sojourner Truth Memorial Fund is affiliated with the Ulster County Community Foundation. All contributions are tax deductible.

2/18/09: Env. Board meeting agenda

2009-02-18T15:48:00.002-05:00

1) Roll Call & Approval of Minutes, Vouchers, etc.

2) Membership report

3) Recycling Contract Update – submission of Env. Board recommendation memo to Town Board

4) Lighting Survey Update

‐ Status of data collection and evaluation (due). Status of report progress for March submission

‐ NYSERDA literature, Speaker on urban lighting (Greene County? NYSERDA?)

5) 2009 ‐ New Project

‐ Natural Resource Inventory: Status ‐ finding speaker to discuss process with the group in a combined meeting with Planning Board?

6) 2009 Community Events

‐ April: Arbor Day "Breathe Green Esopus" sapling giveaway

‐ June: Water Chestnut Harvest ‐ will we do this again this year?

‐ July: Hudson River Fulton Event ‐ Plan for event with Waterfront Board. What do we want to do?

‐ September: Fall Festival ‐ Do we want to have a table?

8) Updates and New Business

More upcoming events

2009-02-17T08:42:00.002-05:00

Below are a few area events, as listed by a list Manna Jo Greene sends monthly. Thought some of them could be relevant to either the Environmental Board or residents in Esopus:

Weds., Feb. 18, 6 - 9 pm, Designing the Home Garden. Learn how to site, design, and put in a garden, whether it’s one bed or fifty. Get information on what you can start planning and doing now. BRC, Kingston. Continuing Education: 845-339-2025, www.sunyulster.edu,$45.

Weds., Feb. 25, 7-8:30 p.m. ANNUAL CAC/EMC ROUNDTABLE, sponsored by the Environment Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, affords CAC members the chance to share information, network with colleagues and learn about their accomplishments and priorities for 2009. Open to those interested in joining CACs to learn about the dynamic role volunteers can play in preserving their community’s natural resources. Farm and Home Center, 2715 Route 44, Millbrook. Contact: Vicky Buono, (845) 677-8223, x153, vcb4@cornell.edu.

Thurs., Feb. 26, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Save Energy, Save Dollars -- a FREE Weatherization and Energy Savings Workshop designed to help people reduce their electric and heating bills resulting in significant savings year round. Student Union Room 407 at SUNY New Paltz. Pre-registration required; attendees will receive a FREE Energy Saving Gift Pack. Free and open to the public. Contact Barbara Grumberg at 845-340-3990 or bag23@cornell.edu to reserve a seat. http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/ulster

April-June VOLUNTEER RIVER HERRING MONITORING PROGRAM. Join the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program in our efforts to collect information on the spawning runs of the ecologically important river herring. Location specific to your area -- no experience necessary. Contact Amy Bloomfield, r3hermon@gw.dec.state.ny.us . 845-256-3172 http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/41545.html .

Sat., April 4, MAGNETIZING DOWNTOWNS AND HISTORIC VILLAGES. Helping Mid-Hudson cities and villages increase their magnetism with fresh ideas and examples to attract people and job growth to existing centers. At 721 Broadway, Kingston.

Thurs., Apr. 9, 6 - 9 pm, Organic Gardening for Garden and Containers - Pt 2. Learn how to identify and outwit pests and encourage beneficial insects; how to reduce plant diseases; how to build the soil’s nutritional value and increase crop productivity. BRC, Kingston. Continuing Education: 845-339-2025, www.sunyulster.edu , $39

Sat., May 2, 10 am - 3 pm, Raising Goats 101. Learn how to start a herd, herd health, preventive care, reproduction, feeding, housing as well as profits from your herd, and financial considerations at Triple H Ranch, Hudson, NY. Continuing Education: 845-339-2025, www.sunyulster.edu , $79 (+lunch $7).

Sat., May 9, 10 am - 5 pm, ROSENDALE EARTHFEST AND EXPO. Rosendale Recreation Center, Rt. 32. "Many backyards, one world" with exhibitors and speakers on backyard biodiversity, local food production, water resources, alternative energy, energy efficiency, and green-building. Arm-of-the-Sea Puppet Theater, Dog on Fleas, food, crafts, and fun, hands-on activities for all. FREE/donation. (845) 658-8967.

ONGOING

The Hudson River Estuary Program’s “TREES FOR TRIBS” Initiative is accepting applications for spring stream buffer planting projects. The program offers free native trees and shrubs for qualifying projects in the Hudson River Estuary watershed. Applications are due by March 1st. For more info contact Kevin Grieser at kagriese@gw.dec.state.ny.us or (845)-256-3145. See www.dec.ny.gov/lands/43668.html for info & applications

NYSDEC’s Environmental Resource Mapper is an on-line, interactive mapping application that can be used to identify some of NYS's natural resources and environmental features that are state protected, or of conservation concern. www.dec.ny.gov/animals/38801.html

Environmental Board Roundtable

2009-02-17T08:30:00.002-05:00

Dutchess County's EMC holds an annual roundtable discussion for members of local environment boards. This year's is Wed. Feb. 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. (more details below)

I've attended these in the past. Even though it's not our county, the same issues come up in neighboring towns, and these meetings are a good way to learn what projects other boards have taken on in the past year.

Weds., Feb. 25, 7-8:30 p.m. ANNUAL CAC/EMC ROUNDTABLE, sponsored by the Environment Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, affords CAC members the chance to share information, network with colleagues and learn about their accomplishments and priorities for 2009. Open to those interested in joining CACs to learn about the dynamic role volunteers can play in preserving their community’s natural resources. Farm and Home Center, 2715 Route 44, Millbrook. Contact: Vicky Buono, (845) 677-8223, x153, vcb4@cornell.edu.

Coffee and Conversation

2009-01-23T11:58:00.000-05:00

The Kingston City Board of Education is hosting a "Coffee and Conversation" open house on Monday, January 26th from 9-10am at Dominicks on the corner of Wall and North Front Streets. Good opportunity to ask questions one-on-one outside of the formal Board meeting sessions.

1/22/09: Sea-Level Rise Meeting

2009-01-22T14:22:00.010-05:00

Public Invited to Meetings on Rise of Sea Levels
State Task Force Seeks Input on Adaptation Planning

Thursday, January 22
4 to 7 PM: Open House
7 PM: Presentations
Nelly Goletti Theatre
Student Center, Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York

The public is invited to a series of meetings about the effects of sea-level rise and the development of recommendations for dealing with rising sea levels, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.

The meetings, sponsored by the New York State Sea-Level Rise Task Force, will be held at four different locations -- in Poughkeepsie and Manhattan and Suffolk and Nassau Counties.

Each meeting will feature an informal open house session followed by staff presentations and a public-comment period. The open house includes exhibits related to various aspects of climate change andsea level rise. Agency staff will be available to explain the exhibits and answer questions. Those interested may come at any time during the scheduled open house. The meetings give the public an opportunity to provide input on the task force's work plan.

"Global warming is one of the most significant environmental and economic issues of our generation. I commend Commissioner Grannis and his staff for convening this important planning group and urge thepublic and elected officials to participate in this process that will help the state chart a responsible course on this issue," said Governor David A. Paterson.

In his State of the State speech last week, Governor Paterson addressed global warming by calling for one of the most ambitious clean energy plans in the nation. He unveiled his "45 by 15" plan that calls for New York to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and clean renewable energy by 2015. This goal will alsocreate 50,000 new jobs for New Yorkers, helping build the workforce necessary for a clean energy economy. Governor Paterson also announced the creation of a consortium on hybrid electric batteries and energystorage technologies to make strides in the development of technology for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

New York State is a leader in taking action to address climate change and is implementing a broad portfolio of tactics to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, from promoting energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy programs to participating in the nation's first mandatory carbon cap-and-trade program for power plant emissions. As part of this proactive approach, the New York State Legislature established the State Sea-Level Rise Task Force in 2007, under a bill sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellino and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney. The task force will issue a report making recommendations toprotect New York's coastal ecosystems, natural habitats, infrastructure, and coastal communities from flooding and other potential impacts.

The task force is comprised of state agencies, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, and private citizens. Commissioner Grannis serves as chair of the task force.

The geographic scope of the task force report will include the five boroughs of New York City and the counties of Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk. The tidal waters of the Hudson River to the Federal Dam at Troy are also included because of the potential risks from rising waters to Hudson River ecosystems, drinking water supplies, and infrastructure.

More information about the State Sea Level Rise Task Force is available at:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/45202.html

To receive e-mail notification of meetings and other task force activities, subscribe to the Sea-Level Rise Task Force e-mail list at: http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/sealevelrisetaskforce

Submit comments on the work of the Sea-Level Rise Task Force to: slrtf@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Contact: Mark Lowery, 518-402-8027

Draft Meeting Notes for the Jan. 21

2009-01-22T12:52:00.004-05:00

Draft Minutes of the Jan. 21 meeting of the Town of Esopus Environment Board

Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Esopus Town Hall

In attendance were Chairwoman Emily Pereira, Town Board Liaison Deb Silvestro, members David Murray, Susan Holland, Dan Shapley and Kathie Quick (waterfront board liaison) and pending member Kate Landi.

Membership

Kathie Quick and Andy Bicking have been re-appointed to the board. Emily Pereira is acting chairwoman, pending official acceptance by the town board. Three are three vacancies on the board. Kate is awaiting town board confirmation of her application to fill the first. Chris Bowser is also expected to submit an application to fill the second. The town board plans to publish a solicitation in local newspapers announcing open board seats, including for the Environment Board.

There were no minutes or vouchers to approve.

Lighting Survey

Dave reported on the lighting survey, which is now approximately 80% complete.

Central Hudson, by contract with the town, will replace up to 5% of the town's lightbulbs per year, at the town's request. We will recommend the replacement of approximately 100 1950s-era mercury vapor bulbs that use approximately three-times the wattage of more efficient bulbs. Given that we have approximately 400 bulbs in all, it will take five years to swap out all inefficient bulbs. Once that process is complete, Dave estimates a yearly savings of $10,000. Most of these older bulbs are in Port Ewen, so the savings would be focused on the Port Ewen lighting district.

The goal is to complete the survey by our March meeting, and complete a draft report to the town board by April. In the meantime, to take advantage of the 5% annual bulb switch-out clause in the contract, Dave will draft an interim letter to the town board outlining which bulbs can be replaced, and updating the board on the progress of the lighting survey. To complete these goals, Dan will continue to canvas Port Ewen, and both Emily and Kathie offered additional help, if they receive instructions from Dave about which areas to canvas.

Deb reported that Steve Aaron, developer of The Birches senior complex, has requested 16 street lights, at expense of electricity and poles to the town, for a stretch of road that the Environment Board feels does not require lighting. Deb reported that there is already sidewalk lighting as part of the development. Dan noted that excessive lighting would be a detriment to the view from the Hudson River, given the development's location on top of a prominent hill.

The board discussed inviting a speaker to educate the board on community lighting best practices, so the board's recommendations to the Town Board relative to removing lights from service can be based on sound principles. Deb will contact a representative of Greene County that has worked on this issue. Dave will contact a representative of NYSERDA. Dave noted that street lighting is not typically based on hard and fast guidelines, but involves many community considerations, such as perception of safety.

Recycling

Deb reported that the town board has approved a request from the town's transfer station contractor, Dankelmann and Associates, to raise the bag fee at the transfer station in 2009 to $4.50. She reported that Dankelmann complained to the town board about rising costs associated with gas and the Ulster County Resouurce Recovery Agency. She reported that the town board appears close to approving a five-year contract extension for the contractor to continue operating the town's transfer station/recycling center.

Dave reported about a community in Washington State that asks users of a swap shack to sign a waiver before using it. It has come to the board's attention that liability may be a concern of Dankelmann's that is prohibiting the establishment of a swap shack that town residents could use to freely exchange gently used items.

Dan reported that Dankelmann has written a letter of support for a Hudson Valley Materials Exchange grant proposal to the USDA that would establish a regional reuse network among Southern Ulster County towns. In that letter, he estimated that Plattekill and Esopus transfer stations (the two towns his firm operates) could divert an estimated 200 tons of trash from the waste stream into reuse. Dan reported that Jill Gruber at the Hudson Valley Materials Exchange is willing to work with Esopus to expand reuse services to town residents, but that any effort, including staff time, would be billed for. The Hudson Valley Materials Exchange, which is run out of the New Paltz transfer station, is on shaky financial ground, according to Gruber.

Dan reported on data he'd gathered from the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency showing that among the 14 Ulster County towns that recycle more than 100 tons of materials each year, Esopus recycles the least. He reported that other towns in the county charge residents fewer fees for use of their transfer stations, though he noted that the data may not be fully up to date. The $4.50 per bag fee appears to be about 50% above any fee charged by any town-run transfer station. The town's annual fee of $20 is slightly above average ($18). The tonnage recycled per transfer station permit is two- to three-times lower in Esopus than comparable Ulster County towns. Dan reported that the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency has offered its help in drafting a new contract, or putting the contract out for competitive bidding. While Dankelmann is the only independent contractor of its kind operating in Ulster County (all towns but Plattekill and Esopus run their own transfer stations), UCRRA said there are additional independent contractors in the region that would bid for the contract.

UCRRA also said that one or two towns in the county run their transfer stations at no loss. Deb noted that Esopus runs a loss on its transfer station. The board noted the need for transparency in any contractor's bookkeeping for accountability and enforcement of any contract's provisions.

The board discussed the need to re-write the town's contract for transfer station services so that it clearly expresses a vision for the services that should be offered, and several board members expressed a desire to see the town bid a new contract.

Dan will draft a letter to the Town Board outlining the board's findings and recommendations and circulate to Environment Board members so that the letter can be delivered to the Supervisor before the Town Board's workshop Feb. 2.

Waterfront Advisory Board report

Kathie reported that the board has won a grant to purchase a new water chestnut harvester. Deb reported that the town can trade in its old harvester and get as much or more money than it paid originally, and that the town was exploring options to share the harvester with other towns with water chestnut problems, like Saugerties.

Kathie reported about the availability of a Biodiversity short course offered by Hudsonia and paid for by the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program. It's an intensive course using mapping and site visits to assess the ecological importance of various landscapes. Dan reported that many other town environment and planning boards in the region have taken this course in preparation of Natural Resource Inventories used to assess the impact of development projects.

Web site

Susan said Sustainable Esopus will soon have a subscription service so that board members can receive email updates whenever there's a new post to the blog.

2009 Goal Setting

The board agreed that its goals for 2009 should include completing the LIghting Survey and continuing the Recycling Initiative, beginning a Natural Resource Inventory, engaging the community at additional events, networking more with the Town Board and Planning Board, and holding another tree giveaway with an expert speaker.

The board agreed that it should begin work on a Natural Resource Inventory by inviting a speaker to explain the process, and invite other relevant boards to attend that speaking session. Kathie will ask the Ulster County Environmental Management Council if it has a knowledgeable speaker, and Dan will ask the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.

The board discussed participating in the Hudson-Fultion-Champlain celebration July 25, the Hudson River Sweep, the Hudson Valley Ramble, the Apple Festival and another water chestnut pull, if necessary. No decisions were made about how the board should participate, or to what extent.

Deb reported that there will be a fundraiser for the creation of Sojourner Truth park on the site of the old town hall on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Port Ewen Reformed Church on Salem Street. Tickets are $10 suggested donation, and there will be choir and storytelling performances to recognize the importance of this Town of Esopus slave-turned-abolitionist. She's one of the town's most famous and celebrated residents. The board expressed its support.

Notes for followup

Emily - offered to do more lighting survey work

Cathie - offered to do more lighting survey work, and will contact the EMC to request a speaker about the Natural Resource Inventory process

Dave - will send lighting survey information to Emily and Cathie, draft a letter to the town board about progress to date and savings potential this year, and contact NYSERDA to request a speaker about community lighting

Deb will contact Green county for a speaker about community lighting

Dan will continue the Port Ewen lighting survey, contact UCRRA for additional information about recycling, draft and circulate a letter to the town board about the recycling contract and contact the DEC HREP for a speaker about Natural Resource Inventory.

Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

Meeting notes by Dan Shapley - posted to Sustainable Esopus blog Jan. 22.

Google Alerts

2009-01-22T08:51:00.002-05:00

Just following up on the anecdote from last night about Google Alerts... Here's the link: http://www.google.com/alerts. You can set up alerts for any keyword you want, and choose the frequency, and which media types (blogs, news, video, etc.) you want to receive. I get them for Esopus, Port Ewen and Rondout, and that way I don't miss any news about my area ... though I also have to wade through a lot of sports results for Rondout Valley schools, etc.

1/21/09: Env. Board meeting agenda

2009-01-21T14:44:00.006-05:00

Proposed Agenda:
1. Roll call, approval of minutes and vouchers, etc.
2. Membership
3. Lighting survey
5. Recycling
6. Waterfront Board update
6. New business

Emily P: In addition to the agenda for tonight’s meeting, I would like everyone to think of some goals for the new year, particularly another tangible project that we can reasonably complete within the year. I think that by the end of tonight’s meeting we should have established completion dates for existing projects (lighting survey and recycling contract); discussed goals for the year to include a new project and long term goals; and a list of community events we want to head and/or participate in during the year (another sapling giveaway?, guest speaker, chestnut pull, Hudson Fulton, etc.).

Rosendale Starts Unofficial Swap Shack

2009-01-18T16:30:00.005-05:00

Looks like the Rosendale transfer station is offering some "unofficial" ways for residents to swap usable stuff, rather than throw it out, according to an article in the Freeman.

Recycling Initiative- Flourescent lights

2008-12-10T08:42:00.002-05:00

Based on the recylcing initiative conversation at last night's meeting, attached is a link to a website for a lamp recylcing company. I am not sure of the charge, but I have seen their lamp recyling boxes at major hospitals in the region during my site assessments. I think a box holds about 40 lamps. It's something to think about.

http://www.nlrlamp.com/resources.html

Emily

State Funds Esopus Weed Harvester

2008-11-03T14:06:00.003-05:00

The Freeman reports today that Esopus will get "$59,088 to purchase a mechanical aquatic weed harvester to improve the town's aquatic vegetation control program, thereby preserving access to public beaches, use of non-motorized boating facilities and fishing areas of the river."

Looks like we might not have to do it by hand next year...

Environmental Board Meeting Oct. 15

2008-10-14T11:08:00.004-04:00

The Town of Esopus Environmental Board will meet Wed., Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., in the Town of Esopus Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Here is the agenda for the meeting:

1) Roll Call, Approval of Minutes and Vouchers
2) Report out on Budget
3) Energy Audit Update -- Plan to review streetlight activity
4) Recycling -- Status of grant and opportunities to beautify Recycling Center
5) Web Site and Communications update
6) Membership for 2009
7) New Business

See you there!

-Andy Bicking
Chairman, Town of Esopus Environmental Committee

Recycling Grant Opportunity

2008-09-22T14:01:00.002-04:00

I saw this press release today. This may be a way to supplement our recycling initiative, using some of the data and grant info that's already been generated. It's a source of private recycling bins and expertise that won't require taxpayer money.

Deadline, though, is Oct. 17 -- not much time.

Washington DC, September 22, 2008 -- Coca-Cola and the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) today announced the third round of their recycling bin grant program designed to promote and support community recycling in the U.S. Through this innovative grant, recipients have the benefit of both the donated recycling bins and the expertise on how to set up recycling programs from the National Recycling Coalition. Grants will be provided for recycle bins at sporting events, music venues, schools and commercial locations. The grant program is part of Coca-Cola’s $60 million investment in recycling programs and initiatives in the U.S.

“We are excited to again partner with Coca-Cola to offer the recycling bin grant program to communities and businesses,” said Anjia Nicolaidis, deputy director of the National Recycling Coalition. “The program is designed to increase recycling rates across the country by helping to off-set the initial costs of recycling bins.”

The bin grant program leverages the purchasing power and expertise of the NRC and Coca-Cola to provide more recycling bins than would be possible if grant recipients were to purchase bins independently. The NRC also will contact grantees to offer guidance on setting up their recycling program and assessing recycling bin needs. NRC bin suppliers will then deliver bins directly to the recipients. Since its inception in the fall of 2007, the Bin Grant program has placed more than 5,700 recycling bins in 150 communities in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Recipients have included municipalities, colleges, Native American tribes, and community organizations.

The grant program is open to cities, governments and schools as well as non-profit groups and for-profit companies. Interested parties may apply for the grant
during spring and fall application periods at: http://bingrant.org/. The current submittal period is open through Friday, October 17^th. Grant recipients will be announced on America Recycles Day, November 15. Eligible grant activities include recycling programs at schools, universities, public parks and recreational facilities, sporting and cultural venues and events and commercial locations.

“Coca-Cola has a long history of designing packages that are recyclable and resource efficient and that have a high end-use value,” said Scott Vitters, director of sustainable packaging, The Coca-Cola Company. “We hope the bin grant program will further encourage communities to make recycling readily available as we work to continue to close the loop on our packages as well as other valuable recyclables.”

About the NRC
The NRC is a national, non-profit advocacy group with members that span all aspects of waste reduction, reuse and recycling in North America. NRC’s objective is to eliminate waste and promote sustainable economies though advancing sound management practices for raw materials in North America. NRC works with its members and partners to sponsor programs and stakeholder forums that provide tools and nurture solutions for the recycling industry. Breaking new ground in how Americans think about waste, the Coalition is a strong and clear voice for recycling. For more information about the NRC please visit http://www.nrc-recycle.org/.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

2009 Hudson/Fulton Quadricentenial

2008-09-17T18:16:00.002-04:00

The Town of Esopus has just received 5,000 tulips from the Ulster County Tourism Department. These were FREE...but we will need volunteers to help plant them the third week in October. What could be better for Town than to see all that color next Spring, and to remind us that nature has great gifts to give us. Help us celebrate the discovery of the Hudson River...contact me or Laura Petit to sign up to help.

Summary of New State Net-Metering Law

2008-08-18T10:46:00.005-04:00

The Department of Energy publicized NY's new net-metering laws, which may be relevant for the town hall and other town buildings. Below are the most relevant portions. The rest is available here.

New York Governor David Paterson signed a legislative package on August 5 that will encourage people throughout the state to install grid-connected solar and wind power systems, systems that generate power from farm wastes, and green roofs. Most of the bills relate to net metering, which allows homeowners and businesses to earn credit for any excess power that they feed back into the electric grid. Senate Bill 7171 expands net metering to include non-residential solar power systems up to 2 megawatts in capacity, or equal in size to the customer's peak load, whichever is less, and increases the maximum solar power system size for residential customers to 25 kilowatts, up from 10 kilowatts. The bill also attempted to increase the limit for farm-based anaerobic digesters to 1 megawatt, but a separate bill, S. 8415, knocked the limit down to 500 kilowatts, which is still an improvement over the previous limit of 400 kilowatts. S. 7171 also requires each utility to develop a model contract and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions for net metering of non-residential customers, and to develop safety standards for interconnecting these customers. It also includes a requirement for an external disconnect switch, which is rarely needed for modern grid connection equipment.

Main Street Grant for Port Ewen

2008-08-13T13:19:00.002-04:00

Good news for Port Ewen that I wanted to share. The way I see it, a healthy "downtown" Port Ewen will promote sustainability in the town as a whole. This is the text of a flier you may see around town:

Promoting Pride in Port Ewen is proud to announce the award of a $200,000 New York Main Street grant for the hamlet of Port Ewen

The funds will be available in the coming year, so we must get prepared to take advantage of this opportunity now. The work will focus on a concentrated target area on Broadway from the old Riverview Restaurant to the old Library Building.

Promoting Pride in Port Ewen is a group of citizens representing a large segment of the hamlet's population. We have been working for two years to build upon the enhancement of our Broadway corridor. We believe the New York Main Streets grant program is a great beginning towards the renewal of our beautiful hamlet.

The following three types of activities are eligible for funding:

• Façade Renovation - Matching grants of up to $10,000 per building. The grant for Port Ewen has $150,000 in funds available for Façade Renovation.
• Building Renovation - Matching grants of up to $50,000 per building for renovation of commercial/ civic space on first floor and residential units above. The grant for Port Ewen has $25,000 in funds available for Building Renovations on 5 residential units.
• Streetscape Enhancement - Since the NYS DOT has included trees and other can help us provide appropriate signs in accordance with a local signage plan, banners and other enhancements. The grant for Port Ewen has $25,000 available for streetscape enhancements.

To learn more about this grant opportunity, please attend our next meeting at the
Town of Esopus Library Monday, August, 25th at 6:30 pm

Please plan to attend if you operate a business, own a building in the target area, or wish to lean more about how we are planning to improve our hamlet in the years to come. For more information contact Loisingellis@hotmail.com

CFL, battery and electronics recylcing

2008-07-23T10:43:00.002-04:00

As a follow up to Daves Blog on 7/16, Waste Management has just launched ThinkGreenFromHome.com, a streamlined online service for the recycling of universal household waste, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), batteries, and eventually other household electronics. ThinkGreenFromHome.com offers consumers convenient mail-in solutions to safely store and recycle heavy metal containing household devices, as well as resources to encourage household sustainability.

Website: http://www.thinkgreenfromhome.com

Emily

PCBs in Port Ewen water?

2008-07-22T17:46:00.002-04:00

I just saw this in the news today. State Department of Health is apparently testing drinking water supplies up and down the Hudson to get baseline data before the dredging of PCBs from the upper Hudson begins next year. Low-level PCBs were found in Port Ewen's drinking water, as well as in most of the other community supplies that draw from the Hudson (I don't see Highland or Hyde Park on the list, which is odd, since Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck are also there, and presumably would be using the same treatment and drawing from the same general spots in the river). The concentration of PCBs detected is within federal drinking water quality standards, so presumably not something to worry about... Though I'd prefer PCB-free drinking water, myself.

When I was writing about the PCB issue for the Poughkeepsie Journal, I was always told by water treatment officials that PCBs could be detected in raw water, but that they were generally removed during filtration. It's not that there's a specific process that removes them chemically, but because they tend to adhere to sediment and sediment is removed, the finished drinking water tends to be PCB-free. The news story says the PCBs were found in "drinking water" which I would interpret as finished treated water, but it's a point I'd like clarified.

Green Best Practices for Local Governments

2008-07-18T14:26:00.002-04:00

Here's a link to the NYS comptroller report Andy mentioned in the meeting.

Green Best Practices: How Local Governments can Reduce Energy Cost and Minimize Impact on Climate Change.

(This links to a Press Release. The report itself is a pdf, and there's a link on the page to download it. Here's the pdf.)

Quick read shows a lot of what we know: Efficiency is the first step, and second is producing your own alternative power. Some potential action items for us to explore - water and wastewater submetering, and peak load management.

cfl cleanup

2008-07-17T16:26:00.002-04:00

Attached is a link to the EPA page on cleaning up after a cfl breaks. As you can read, they (and we should) take this very seriously. I think the public desperately needs to be informed of the dangers of spreading mercury around their homes before it is too late. (think lead paint) The last time I was in Lowes in Lloyd there were broken cfls in at least two locations around the store. Perhaps it is time to reconsider the home improvement store as a fun place to take my children.
Dave
www.epa.gov/hg/spills/index.htm#fluorescent

6/22/08: Water chestnut pull

2008-06-22T11:22:00.003-04:00

Sunday, June 22, 2008
10 AM to1 PM
George Freer Beach Park

Canal Street, Port Ewen
Volunteers Needed!

Please join in to help make our riverfront more navigable and clear this invasive, non-native plant!

You will need to wade into the river to pull these pesky plants.
Sturdy sneakers, long sleeved shirts, long pants and work gloves are a MUST.

Under 18 must be closely supervised by their parents.

No Rain date has been scheduled

Do you like being on the water? Don't mind getting your hands wet? Want to help rid the Hudson of bad neighbors, and regain access to the river? No, not people, we're talking about water chestnuts. We need help pulling these weeds from the water where they grow uncontrollably and choke out other plant and aquatic life. Remember to bring sturdy sneakers, long pants, and gloves. Refreshments donated by local businesses are available to all volunteers.

---------------------------------------------------------
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

INGREDIENTS
1 pound bacon
Water chestnuts, cleaned and dry
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons dill pickle relish
1/2 cup ketchup
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Wrap single pieces of bacon around individual water chestnuts, securing with a toothpick.
Place the wrapped water chestnuts on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp. Remove from heat and drain.
In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, white sugar, dill pickle relish and ketchup. Pour the mixture over the wrapped water chestnuts.
Bake in the preheated oven 10 minutes, or until the sauce is hot and bubbly.

6/11/08: Go Green, Live Rich book discussion in Kingston

2008-06-11T16:14:00.004-04:00

Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach
Wednesday, June 11, 7 PM
Barnes and Noble, Route 9W, Kingston

Join Holly Anne Shelowitz, Certified Nutrition Counselor, as she leads this lively discussion about what "going green" can mean for you, how to eat local food and what that means, support your community, be healthier, and save money at the same time. Go to Nourishing Wisdom to learn more.

6/10/08: John Burroughs lecture in Kingston

2008-06-10T16:16:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, June 10, 7 PM
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing, Kingston

HRMM Lecture Series:
John Burroughs and the Hudson River
Dr. Stephen M. Mercier, Marist College English Dept.

Admission:

$5 (adults)
$4 (students & seniors)
free (museum members)

Main Street Group Meeting

2008-05-22T11:01:00.002-04:00

Tuesday, May 27th, 6PM, Town of Esopus Library, Canal St., Port Ewen
Meeting of the Main Street Grant Stakeholders, which includes anyone who cares about Port Ewen and the Town of Esopus...help revitalize the Broadway corridor. At this meeting we will set goals for Main Street improvements, and finalize committee assignments. For information, contact Lois Ingellis, loisingellis@hotmail.com.

5/22/08: paintball property -- public hearing

2008-05-21T15:40:00.002-04:00

Thursday, May 22

7 PM at the Esopus Town Hall in Port Ewen

5/29/08: 8th Annual Youth Award Recognition Event

2008-05-21T15:33:00.001-04:00

Ulster County Youth Bureau
8th Annual Youth Award Recognition Event
Thursday, May 29
6 PM (registration begins at 5:30)
Woodcrest Community, Route 213, Rifton

David Higgins, junior member of the Esopus Environmental Board, will receive a Community Service Commendation for his efforts on Meaningful Community Involvement to Improve the Community. Congratulations, David!

5/14/08: public hearing tonight

2008-05-14T16:37:00.005-04:00

7 PM at the Esopus Town Hall in Port Ewen

Regarding the Hudson Bluff / Esopus Lake development project

5/14/08: U. C. Global Warming Committee presents findings

2008-05-14T16:35:00.002-04:00

The U. C. Global Warming Committee (part of Ulster Tomorrow) will present its findings and recommendations tonight at 6 PM during Legislative session, on the 6th floor of the U. C. Office Building at 244 Fair Street in Kingston.

The presentation was developed after more than a year of research, with the goal of getting the County to incorporate a strategy for shrinking its carbon footprint and reducing its contribution to global warming into its operations, including the County employee personnel handbook.

5/13/08: HV Green Drinks at Downtown Cafe

2008-05-13T16:50:00.010-04:00

Hudson Valley Green Drinks (HVGD)
is a monthly networking event for people who work in the environmental fields, the sustainably minded, and the eco-curious. Meet over drinks to share, inquire, brain storm, find job leads, make new friends, hang out...

Tuesday, May 13
6:30 PM to 9 PM
Downtown Cafe
1 West Strand, Kingston
$5 plus a business card

RSVP: Call or e-mail Marie-Celeste (845-454-8151) with your name & organization/company. Doing it in advance will get you a snazzy name tag. RSVPing also helps make sure we have enough space at the venue.

May door prizes:- Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from your Home Garden All Year Long
- Leonardo DiCaprio's DVD The 11th Hour
...will be given out during Talk Fest (a pause in the networking to thank all involved in today's event.

The May podcast will feature your definitions of current industry buzzwords.

Yearly memberships are available; see HVGD.

5/3/08: Rosendale Earthfest and Energy Expo

2008-05-03T10:08:00.010-04:00

9 AM to 5 PM today!

The Rosendale Earthfest and Energy Expo is a "how-to" seminar and vendor show, intending to fight global warming, lower energy costs, and apply green designs to homes, businesses, and community.

Indoors: speakers and vendors on the theme Shrink Your Carbon Footprint, with honored guest U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey as he receives the Green Energy Leadership Award

Outdoors: Earthfest activities, food, entertainment

Performances include:

1 PM Big Sky Ensemble

4 PM Arm-of-the-Sea Theater performing Turtle Island Medicine Show

Cost: $5 per person, $10 per family

Location:
Rosendale Community Center
1055 Route 32
Rosendale, NY

Contact: Jennifer Metzger, 845-658-8967

Sponsored by: Rosendale Environmental Commission