Press Release: NYS, March 27, 2000

Governor George E. Pataki today announced the State has signed an agreement to protect 100 acres of land along the Hudson River in the Town of Cortlandt, fulfilling a major conservation goal of the Hudson River Estuary Action Plan and providing a critical new link in the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail.

The acquisition was hailed by Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, Congresswoman Sue Kelly, County Legislator George Oros and the Concerned Citizens of Cortlandt, who had asked the Governor to protect the property as open space.

"With the acquisition of this magnificent parcel, we are again standing behind our commitment to enhance the Hudson River Estuary by acquiring valuable open space along its shores for public recreation and the protection of important wildlife habitat," Governor Pataki said.

"This acquisition, one of the last undeveloped river-front parcels in the mid-Hudson Valley unencumbered by railroad tracks, will provide the public with wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities and stunning views of the River."

County Executive Andrew Spano said, "Preserving this breathtaking parcel of land means preserving a most precious resource for the future of Westchester. The land is what makes our county unique. From our rolling hills to our majestic waterfront, it is a legacy for our children. I am so pleased to stand here with the Governor today to announce a joint effort that will add more open space acreage to our adjacent county parkland."

Congresswoman Sue Kelly said, "The Hudson River is one of our nation's most treasured natural resources. Preserving land along the river plays a major role in protecting its crucial estuary system. In addition, the acquisition will provide increased recreational enjoyment of the river for residents and visitors alike. Governor Pataki is to be commended for his leadership in protecting vital open space along the Hudson."

County Legislator George Oros said, "Once more the Governor has shown he is a true friend to our region and to our environment. This land preservation is just a small part of the Governor's long-standing efforts to protect New York's environment and its open space. I'm delighted to be a participant in this cooperative effort of our county with local, state and the federal government."

The State has signed an agreement to acquire 50 acres of land owned by the 37 Croton Dam Road Corporation, based in Ossining, and a public right-of-way and conservation easement restricting development on an adjacent 50 acres owned by the Catholic Kolping Society.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation will acquire the properties using $4,280,000 in Bond Act funds. Westchester County, which has park lands adjoining the parcels, will manage the property for passive recreation under an agreement with the DEC.

"This land could have been developed and permanently lost to public use were it not for the quick action of the State, Congresswoman Kelly, the Town of Cortlandt, The Open Space Institute and the Trust For Public Land, which worked cooperatively with the landowners on behalf of the State to bring this agreement to fruition," Governor Pataki said. "In addition, I want to thank County Executive Spano and County Legislator Oros for working with us to ensure the land is properly maintained for the families of Westchester County."

Joseph J. Martens, President of the Open Space Institute said, "We are pleased to have assisted the State in preserving this remarkable Hudson River asset for all to enjoy. Our goal to improve public use and enjoyment of the Hudson River has been significantly advanced through this terrific project, which will draw the public back to America's greatest river."

The project helps advance the goals of the Hudson River Estuary Management Plan, which Governor Pataki approved in 1998. A major goal of the plan is to increase the protection of open space along the river for public access, habitat protection and scenic viewsheds.

"Governor Pataki continues to make key acquisitions that will protect and provide public access to the shores of the Hudson River," said Scenic Hudson Executive Director Ned Sullivan. "The Governor, the Open Space Institute and the Trust for Public Land deserve the thanks of all residents of the Hudson Valley."

The land to be purchased by the State contains about 500 feet of shoreline along the Hudson River. The parcel is extensively wooded with native hardwoods and provides breathtaking views of the river. The site was formerly used as a brickyard because of the excellent clay soils present on the property, which were mined and contributed to the rolling topography, small wetlands and pond found on the site today.

The land supports a diversity of wildlife, including, deer, coyotes, turtles and bald eagles, which roost there in winter while searching for fish in the River. Winter roosting and perching areas on the Hudson are critical for the survival of bald eagles in New York and Canada, which congregate along the Hudson when northern lakes and rivers are frozen.

The adjacent Kolping Society property also contains extensive Hudson River shoreline and beautiful views. The easement being acquired by the State will provide a twelve-foot-wide public right of way along the northeast corner of the property, enabling the public to walk from Georges Island County Park land to the Harbor Landing property to the Steamboat Dock without having to walk on heavily-trafficked local roads. The easement also restricts future development on the Kolping Society property to a three-acre envelope within the property, to permanently protect wildlife habitat and the scenic viewshed.

The project will provide a critical link in the Hudson River Greenway Trail, connecting the Shoreline Trail and pedestrian access facilities at Steamboat Dock at Verplanck with the Georges Island County Park, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Veteran's Administration hospital property and Oscawana County Park, for a length of about eight miles. The Shoreline Trail ultimately links up to the Appalachian Trail at the Westchester/Putnam County border.

"The acquisition of these two properties demonstrates once again how under Governor Pataki's leadership we are transforming the Hudson River and its shoreline into a major public asset that improves the lives of residents and visitors alike," State Environmental Conservation Commissioner John P. Cahill said. "We will work closely with the Town of Cortlandt and Westchester County to develop a management plan for the properties that will promote the goals of the Hudson River Estuary Plan, providing passive recreation, natural resource protection and trail opportunities along the Hudson."

Project negotiations with the private landowners were led by officials from the Open Space Institute and the Trust For Public Land, two non-profit conservation organizations who work together on joint ventures with the State of New York to preserve open space and promote public outdoor recreational opportunities.

"I congratulate and applaud Governor George Pataki for once again having the commitment to preserve open space and for always having the vision to plan for future generations to come," said Town of Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi. "The preservation of these acres and purchase of development rights to the Kopling Society property will add an additional 103 acres to our open space inventory in Cortlandt."

The Montrose project is part of the larger Hudson River Estuary/Greenway Trail priority project area, one of 131 such projects included in the State Open Space Conservation Plan. Since 1995, more than $200 million has been invested in the conservation of more than 270,000 acres of land identified in the State Open Space Plan.