Sep 29, 2016 Spotlight Newspapers Albany County, Government, News, Towns
CAPITAL DISTRICT — Several local projects were named as beneficiaries in today’s (Thursday, Sept. 29) state Department of Environmental Conservation’s announcement of nearly $500,000 worth of grants awarded to protect the Hudson River.
Rensselaer Land Trust ($85,000) and Siena College ($48,244) were named as direct beneficiaries for part of the total $441,091 in grants going to 10 projects to help communities in the Hudson River Estuary watershed. The goal is to protect water quality and habitats, conserve open space and increase storm resiliency, said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.
“The Hudson River and its Valley are critical players in the history of New York State. The Hudson River Estuary Program was created to ensure that proud history continues into the present by helping New Yorkers enjoy, protect, and revitalize the river,” said Seggos. “From the federal dam at Troy to the Verrazano Narrows in New York City, the Hudson River Estuary Program invests in protecting our natural resources like clean water, vital ecosystems, fish, wildlife, and habitats, while supporting stronger, more resilient communities up and down its banks.”
New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) provides the grants and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Hudson River Estuary program (HREP) will administer the funds. These grants support planning for local stewardship of the river environment to help achieve the goals of the 2015-2020 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda. The awards also align with Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) strategies, including supporting land conservation and park projects that link town centers with open space, cultural, and heritage sites, and protecting clean water and ecological resources that are buffers to public parks.
The awarded grants are:
City of Kingston (Ulster County) – $24,500
The City of Kingston will complete a community-driven Open Space Plan to preserve, protect, and enhance natural areas. The plan will identify and prioritize green space, water, and natural resources, as well as parks, natural, historic and cultural resources. The plan will also promote sustainable development and serve as a framework for land-use planning and protection.
Vassar College (Dutchess County) – $50,000
Vassar College will produce a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) for the City of Poughkeepsie to provide baseline information on natural, historic, and cultural resources including parks, tributaries to the Hudson, the Poughkeepsie waterfront, and city trees. Vassar undergraduate students will map ash trees within city limits and propose management options to protect ash trees from the invasive emerald ash borer.
Rensselaer Land Trust (Rensselaer County) – $50,000
Rensselaer Land Trust will recruit and train citizen scientists to collect water samples at 18 sites on four streams: the Poesten Kill, Wynants Kill, Mill Creek, and Moordener Kill. Citizens will perform simple tests for enterococcus bacteria levels. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) will help analyze and interpret the data. The assessment will be shared with the general public, municipal decision-makers, and others.
Siena College (Albany, Dutchess, Ulster, Westchester Counties) – $48,244
Siena College will develop collaborative research priorities and an action plan to help watershed communities make science-based management decisions for river tributaries. The project will create a research network with other colleges to study the Kromma Kill and Patroon Creek watersheds in Albany County, Saw Kill and Wallkill River watersheds in Dutchess and Ulster counties, and Pocantico and Saw Mill River watersheds in Westchester County.
Mohonk Preserve (Ulster County) – $47,440
Mohonk Preserve will create a conservation plan for the Kleine Kill and Coxing Kill watersheds on the Shawangunk Ridge. The plan will evaluate water quality, identify vulnerable species, assess invasive threats, determine the need for riparian buffers, assess the impact of current agricultural practices, and inform the siting of future trails and/or educational kiosks.
Columbia Land Conservancy (Columbia County) – $43,067
Columbia Land Conservancy will create a NRI for Columbia County, encompassing 22 municipalities in the upper Hudson River estuary watershed. The Conservancy will gather and analyze existing data about the physical, biological, and cultural aspects of the landscape and identify lands important for resiliency to climate change. The information will be shared with local municipalities.
Onondaga Environmental Institute, Inc., (Rensselaer County) – $42,840
Onondaga Environmental Institute will develop a Watershed Plan for the Poestenkill Creek using water quality assessments and biological surveys. The plan will help identify areas with the greatest conservation need in the watershed, as well as species of concern and potential stream restoration sites.
Rensselaer Land Trust (Rensselaer County) – $35,000
The Rensselaer Land Trust will work with municipalities and residents to develop a conservation plan to guide land conservation in Rensselaer County. The project will inventory and map natural resources, significant open spaces, and landscape features. The Land Trust will also assess which lands are conservation priorities. The Rensselaer County Conservation Plan and associated outreach materials will be distributed to municipalities and partners, and at public workshops.
Riverkeeper (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester Counties) – $50,000
This grant will support Riverkeeper’s community science water-quality projects throughout the Hudson River Estuary that monitor fecal indicator bacteria and support the development of protocols to monitor algae and nutrients. This project will focus on the Rondout Creek and Wallkill River watersheds and the Harlem, Bronx, and East rivers in New York City. Data collection and water sample processing are being done in collaboration with the City University of New York (CUNY) Queens and Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (Richmond County) – $50,000
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation will develop a watershed plan for park land on the North Shore of Staten Island that focuses on opportunities for habitat, riparian, shoreline restoration and green infrastructure for stormwater management. The project will also develop conceptual designs for ecosystem restoration at the mouth of Harbor Brook in Snug Harbor to increase educational opportunities for partner organizations, including the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and the Staten Island Museum.
The Hudson River Estuary Program helps people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the Hudson River and its valley. Created in 1987 through the Hudson River Estuary Management Act, the program focuses on the tidal Hudson and adjacent watershed from the federal dam at Troy to the Verrazano Narrows in New York City. For more information about the Hudson River Estuary Program, visit the DEC website.
Sep 26, 2018 0
Jul 02, 2018 0
Dec 13, 2017 0
Oct 13, 2017 0
Feb 20, 2019 0
Feb 20, 2019 0
Feb 20, 2019 0
Feb 20, 2019 0
Empire State Plaza Events added 2 new photos.
7 hours ago
With a Father who emigrated from Spain and a Grandfather who emigrated from India, founder of Nine Pin Cider Alejandro del Peral’s story is one that millions of NY'ers share. See the #PeopleofNewYork, a NEW exhibit at the #NYSCapitol. 🗽🍎
Plan Your Visit: empirestateplaza.ny.gov/people-new-york
.
.
.
#DYK Nine Pin Cider is one of many locals offering produce, baked goods, honey, and other yummy things every Wednesday at our Empire State Plaza #FarmersMarket? Stop by 10 - 2 ... See MoreSee Less
Did you know we have a total of three different trolleys that run at different times throughout the year in @downtownsaratoga, @downtown_schenectady and @downtownalbany & @larkstreetbid?! Plus, our Capital City Trolley runs all year long! ... See MoreSee Less
Capital District Transportation Authority - CDTA shared Two Buttons Deep's post.
1 day ago
We love the Albany Patroons and are proud to give away seats for some of our local veterans to enjoy the game! ... See MoreSee Less
2 days ago
Even though we do not have any cottages to show at this time, take a virtual tour from the comfort of your own home of a past Model Cottage here: www.google.com/maps/@42.5830476,-73.6709163,3a,73.7y,279.45h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipMLNqOI.... ... See MoreSee Less
google.com
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.The Spinney at Van Dyke added 3 new photos — watching snow fall.
2 days ago
Already sick of snow this winter?
Why not take a break from shoveling this afternoon and come take a tour of The Spinney! Our staff takes care of all snow removal so you could be enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate instead of snow blowing or shoveling around your home today!
Want to move before the next (inevitable) storm? We have units ready for move-in right now! Call (518) 689-0162 or visit www.thespinneyatvandyke.com for more information about our available cottages. ... See MoreSee Less
Don't forget we are taking nominations for "Seats for Service Members" Head over to our website www.cdta.org for full details on how to nominate a hometown hero! ... See MoreSee Less
CDTA and Patroons Team up for "Seats for Service Members"
news10.com
The Capital District Transportation Authority and the Albany Patroons have teamed up to award four VIP seats to the club’s home games at the Washington Avenue Armory for active duty military mem...We are operating a regular weekday schedule today. Be sure to use the Navigator app or Google maps for real time information for any weather-related service delays. ... See MoreSee Less
Presidents' Day Service | www.cdta.org
cdta.org
February 16, 2019 Service Will Operate on Weekday Schedule The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Presidents’ Day&comm...Head out to all of your favorite spots tonight with the convenience of a free ride! Check out the Capital City Trolley and find stops near you using the Cityfinder app! Did we mention it’s the PERFECT ride for a date?!🥰🚎 ... See MoreSee Less
4 days ago
Spend your February break at the #EmpireSkatePlaza! iHeartRadio will be taking over the Ice Rink sound system next week! Schedule below ⬇️⬇️
Monday, February 18 | 1-3pm | KISS 102-3 with D. Scott
Tuesday, February 19 | 1-3pm | 98-3 TRY with Jaime Roberts
Wednesday, February 20 | 1-3pm | WildCountry999 with Jillian
Thursday, February 21 | 1-3pm | 99.5 The River with Kevin & Tracy ... See MoreSee Less
There's a general strike in the USA on April 15th and you all are invited.

After the so-called tax cuts, this year you will receive a smaller refund, or will have to pay even more taxes than other years. Do you know who is really benefitting from the Republican/Trump tax cut scam? The VERY RICH. That's all Paul Ryan wanted; he got it and ran away.

 “The 2017 law was supposed to boost workers' wages, create jobs, and drive more investment — and as we've known for a while, it's done none of that. But now we can add two more failures to the creatively-named Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA): It hasn't encouraged corporations to return their profits from overseas, and it's probably hiding a nasty surprise for many Americans come tax season.” – Jeff Spross

If in your tax bracket, after Trump's tax cuts, you received 3% more money in your paycheck, and then when you file your taxes you receive an average of 8% refund less than other years, how much are you losing?

“Lower tax refunds might hurt the economy. If Americans are getting less money back, that might mean they're going to spend less of their refund.” - Jordan Valinsky

Your (small) refunds will be delayed thanks to President Donald Trump’s shutdown.

"I DIDN’T NEED TO DO THIS." - Donald Trump as he declares a national emergency taking billions of dollars away from our Veterans, and leaving for Florida for the weekend to PLAY GOLF.

JOIN THE GENERAL STRIKE APRIL 15, 2019.
PROTEST THE ILLEGITIMATE CORRUPT CRUEL TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

EVENT: GENERAL STRIKE TO REMOVE TRUMP FROM OFFICE.

WHEN: APRIL 15, 2019.

TIME: 12:00 AM TO 11:59 PM.

WHERE: THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Proud to partner with the Albany Patroons on "Seats for Service Members." Nominate your hero today for a chance to win tickets to a game and a gift basket! Full details can be found here 👇👇 ... See MoreSee Less
CDTA and Albany Patroons Offer Seats for Service Members | www.cdta.org
cdta.org
February 16, 2019 All Active Duty Military Members and Veterans Eligible for Promotion ALBANY, NY (February 15, 2019) The Capital District Transportation Authority and the ...