Governor Annouces New Hudson River Fishing/Recreation Trail
Will Bring Hudson Valley Anglers, Families Back To River

Press Release: NYS, April 22, 1999

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that a new, 1.7-mile fishing and recreation trail will be built on the east shore of the Hudson River in Beacon, which will allow anglers and recreationalists to access the river's rich natural resources.

"For too long, New Yorkers have been unable to reach the Hudson River, blocked by rail lines, fences and pollution," Governor Pataki said. "As we clean the river of contaminants, we must provide opportunities to reach the river so that its natural bounty can be enjoyed by all. This project will allow full access to the river, whether you're an angler, hiker, biker or a bird watcher.

"Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth on the river, as the striped bass and shad make their pilgrimage upstream to spawn," the Governor said. "Spring and Earth Day are times when we renew our collective commitment to environmental restoration and protection for the Hudson River and all of New York's natural resources."

The $1 million trail will be constructed by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation as part of a settlement of an enforcement action brought by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) against the utility for excessive smoke emissions at the Danskammer and Roseton power plants in Newburgh. The project is being funded through DEC's Environmental Benefits Projects policy, which allows qualifying entities to fund community environmental projects in partial mitigation of penalties.

The Beacon site had been identified as a priority by the Governor's Task Force on Access to the Hudson River Estuary, which was formed in February to create opportunities for fishing, hiking and other recreation across Metro-North Commuter Railroad tracks. The Hudson River Estuary Plan, announced earlier this year by the Governor, also calls for improved river access.

Hudson Riverkeeper John Cronin, a member of the Task Force, said, "The public has an absolute right to enjoy a clean Hudson River and all the benefits it provides. The number of people who wish to swim, fish, boat or just enjoy the sight of these waters increases every day and we must do all in our power to meet their needs. Today in Beacon, Governor Pataki is overcoming the obstacles these people face in reaching the Hudson River."

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Virgil Conway said, "The Governor has given his task force clear direction: provide safe access to the Hudson River. Now, just two months after the task force was formed, we already are moving ahead with our first project. This success is a sign of the governor's determination to allow New Yorkers to enjoy one of the world's great rivers."

City of Beacon Mayor Clara Lou Gould said, "This trail will fulfill an important priority of Beacon's Local Waterfront Plan, to make our Hudson River more accessible to everyone. When I was growing up, the river was almost a member of the family: It was a background for pictures of special family events, it was a destination for walks, and its beauty was an inspiration in all seasons. I love the fact this trail will make that possible for other families, both residents and visitors, and will also add the recreational capability of fishing accessible to everyone."

Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus said, "Once again on behalf of Dutchess County, I thank Governor Pataki for his vision and efforts to secure the value and significance of the Hudson River corridor. Waterfront development and access to the river are important environmental and community issues for Dutchess County, and this new recreation and fishing trail compliments our other plans and strategies that will serve to enhance and enrich our waterfronts for all of us and our children."

Michael Finnegan, chairman of the Governor river access Task Force, said, "Cleaning up the Hudson after decades of neglect and providing New Yorkers with greater access to it has been a top priority for Governor Pataki for as long as I've known him. In the last five years, we have made tremendous progress with this monumental task, and we are gathering greater momentum with each passing year. As chairman of the Governor's Task Force, I promise today's project is a sign of what is to come: a cleaner river, accessible to all New Yorkers."

The 10-foot-wide paved fishing/recreation trail will run on the river side of the rail tracks from the Beacon train station to Denning's Point State Park and continue east across the Metro-North rail line by bridge and then under a Conrail line, where it will join an existing network of trails at Madame Brett Mill Park. It will be located on lands owned by Scenic Hudson Land Trust, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the City of Beacon and Metro North. The project was conceived by Scenic Hudson, a member of the Governor's Estuary Access Task Force.

Scenic Hudson Executive Director Ned Sullivan said, "Scenic Hudson salutes Governor Pataki, Commissioner Cahill, the City of Beacon, and the Hudson River Estuary Management Program for making this remarkable project happen. What is unfolding in Beacon, including this trail, exemplifies the interdependence of a healthy environment, a vibrant city, and creative economic development."

The trail, which will be completed next summer, will be usable by bicyclists and persons in wheelchairs and will include a fishing pier and at least two handicapped accessible fishing stations. Fencing will protect trail users from trains.

John Walls, of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans, who organizes annual fishing derbies, said, "This trail provides a great spot for shore fishing. We have always wanted to have this kind of access for our members."

State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro said, "This new trail will provide park patrons with greater access to one of the most scenic State parks along the Hudson River. Not since Governor Theodore Roosevelt has New York had a governor care so much about outdoor recreation and giving families the opportunity to reconnect with nature."

DEC's enforcement action against Central Hudson focused on Central Hudson's "opacity" emissions, or the density of smoke emitted from its Danskammer and Roseton power plants. Pollutants, such as particulates and unburned carbon, in power plant smoke absorb or scatter light. Under State regulations, these emissions cannot obscure the view of an object in the background by 20 percent over a six-minute period. DEC identified nearly 12,000 incidents in 1998 when the two plants exceeded this limit.

The consent order signed by DEC and Central Hudson assesses a $1.5 million penalty against the utility, with $500,000 payable to the State and the balance to fund environmental projects in the Newburgh and Beacon area. In addition to the trail, Central Hudson will contribute $100,000 to the Orange County Land Trust to be used for land acquisition in the Central Hudson service area, particularly along Quassaick Creek in Newburgh. This small but important tributary of the river still has spring herring runs. Central Hudson also will install lighting at DEC's new boat launch site in Newburgh, which will be open to the public soon.

In response to the DEC action, Central Hudson already has made a significant investment in the two plants in 1997 and 1998, spending more than $450,000 at Danskammer and $1.2 million at Roseton. The order requires Central Hudson to make additional improvements at Roseton this year with an estimated cost of $1 million, bringing the utility's total expenditures on air pollution controls to more than $2.6 million. The improvements have resulted in a 90 percent reduction in opacity incidents.

"Central Hudson is making a significant commitment to ensuring its plants meet environmental standards," DEC Commissioner John P. Cahill said. "This settlement provides enduring benefits to residents of the Hudson Valley while also sending the appropriate message about complying with environmental laws and regulations."

Central Hudson President and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Ganci said, "Since the turn of the century, generations of Central Hudson employees have been a part of the neighborhoods and communities along the Hudson River where they live and work. There is no better symbol of who we are as a people and what we are as a region than the Hudson River. It is vibrant and alive, and its environmental recovery parallels the Hudson Valley's economic rebirth. We welcome this unique opportunity to work with our neighbors, with the Governor's office, and the public and private partnerships that have come together today to provide public access to the Hudson River."

DEC's opacity enforcement action is part of a statewide effort to prompt power plants to reduce opacity and air pollution. Controlling these emissions helps the state meet air quality standards for particulates.