DEC Announces $223,000 in Hudson River Estuary Access Grants During National Estuaries Week

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amada Lefton today announced the $223,000 in grants for two projects to improve resiliency and enhance recreational access to the Hudson River Estuary. The awards are announced during National Estuaries Week, an annual celebration to promote the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them.

"Free and inclusive public access to the Hudson River estuary is a win for residents and visitors alike," Commissioner Lefton said. "The Hudson River Estuary Program grants announced today advance planning and engineering to support implementation of affordable, accessible, and resilient recreational access to the Hudson River Estuary in Hudson and New York City. This funding also will increase access to New York's natural resources in disadvantaged communities, allowing for better connections to nature in areas most in need."

The two grant recipients and projects are:  

• City of Hudson: $123,000 for "City of Hudson Furgary Fishing Village Planning": The project will complete final engineering design and regulatory reviews to transform the historic Furgary Fishing Village into a new, accessible recreational and educational area near the intersection of North Front Street and Dock Street. The redesign of the site is a critical piece of the city's efforts to improve the waterfront and will build upon Hudson's Downtown Revitalization Initiative that funded the Furgary Vision Plan.
• Waterfront Alliance: $100,000 for "Improving On-Water Access and Climate Resilience on Staten Island's North Shore": The Waterfront Alliance will develop a community-informed plan that will revitalize the site at 777 Front Street on Staten Island's North Shore. The plan will improve shoreline climate resilience and enhance public access to the Hudson River Estuary for recreational activities and environmental education. The grants will support community engagement, design, and engineering.

The projects complement Governor Kathy Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" initiative to promote physical and mental health by helping New York's kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings.

Now in its 22nd year, DEC's Hudson River Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in DEC's 2021-2025 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda. To date, the Hudson River Estuary Program awarded more than 665 grants totaling more than $30.7 million.

Funding for DEC's Estuary Grants program is provided by New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The FY 2025-26 State Budget includes $108 million for climate resiliency initiatives that support coastal resiliency, additional funding for Green Resiliency Grants, and an increase of the Environmental Protection Fund to a record $425 million to support measures to adapt and mitigate climate impacts.