Hudson RiverNet

World Fish Migration Day

In celebration of World Fish Migration Day (link leaves DEC website), a global initiative to create awareness about the importance of open rivers and migratory fish, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve are offering three public events in Dutchess County on May 20 and May 21. More than 300 events are scheduled world-wide. Learn more about migratory fishes on the DEC's website.

Eel Count: Friday, May 20, 4 p.m., Fall Kill Creek, Poughkeepsie
The Eel Count will take place on the Fallkill between the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum and Upper Landing Park, which can be accessed by taking the elevator from the Walkway over the Hudson. DEC and Research Reserve education coordinator Chris Bowser will help volunteers, count, weigh, and then release the tiny eels upstream. This is the final American eel count of the season and is part of an international count at locations in Europe and the U.S.

"Fishing the River" Free Fishing: Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg
DEC staff will provide fishing activities while describing the seasonal movements of fish in the Hudson River Estuary. Participants are encouraged to grab a rod and angle for fish off of the wheelchair accessible patio. Rods, reels, and bait will be available at no charge. For directions to the Norrie Point Environmental Center, please visit DEC's website.

"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Conserving Migratory Fish in the Hudson River Estuary," Saturday, May 21, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum Visitor Center
This talk on eel migration is part of the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt NHS Natural Resource Lecture and Program Series. For additional event details and registration, please visit the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt NHS Natural Resource Lecture & Program Series: "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly webpage.(Link leaves DEC's website.)

Hudson River Estuary Grant Funding Now Available

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the availability of $1.25 million in competitive Hudson River Estuary Grants provided through two Requests for Applications (RFAs), Local Stewardship Planning and River Access and Education. Funding for these grant opportunities is provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, Hudson River Estuary Program. To view and download each RFA, please visit the NYS Grants Gateway and search for 'Hudson River Estuary'. General descriptions of these grants opportunities can be found on the DEC website. The deadline for these grants is June 30 at 3 p.m.

Sewage Pollution Right to Know CSO Grant

Funding is now available for projects that will assist communities with the detection, monitoring and reporting of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to enhance reporting of the Sewage Pollution Right to Know law.  Up to $500,000 is available for this grant program.

Under the Sewage Pollution Right to Know law, communities with CSO outfalls must notify the public of combined sewer overflows during wet weather events. However, some municipalities lack detection and monitoring equipment to provide their citizens with useful and timely information. This grant will help to solve that problem, allowing municipalities to use state funds to purchase and install different types or levels of detection and notification. The grant is focused on smaller communities that typically lack funding to install these types of devices. Individual grants are capped at $50,000.

Specific information about the grant is available on DEC's website. Municipalities that want to apply for the grant should log on to Grants Gateway and search for "New York State Sewage Pollution Right to Know Grant Program." Applicants will fill out their applications in the Grants Gateway web-based system. Applications are being accepted until June 24.