The Governor made the announcement at the grand opening of a new, temporary headquarters for the planned Rivers and Estuaries Center on the Hudson River. The headquarters, located on Main Street in the City of Beacon, will serve as the project office for the Center while permanent facilities are designed and constructed at Denning's Point and the Beacon Waterfront.

It was also announced that the Village of Dobbs Ferry will receive a grant of $37,000. Under village sponsorship, the Historic River Towns of Westchester will develop a regional approach to waterfront revitalization for the county's 13 Hudson River communities. The project will include hiring a waterfront coordinator, convening an advisory committee, evaluating waterfront planning in the region, and formulating a findings report and action plan for improvements.

The Village of Hastings on Hudson will receive $150,000 to complete designs for public access improvements to be located on 43 acres of derelict industrial land on the Hudson River. The project will involve significant community input and coordination with ongoing remediation plans. Potential public improvements include a waterfront park, esplanade and trail.

"Our State's waterfront areas have historically been the centerpieces of local communities, and the Rivers and Estuaries Center on the Hudson will build upon the rich history of the Hudson River and help to define the future of the Hudson Valley," Governor Pataki said. "We have been working closely with the City of Beacon and other partners to create a world-class research and educational center that will help us protect the Hudson River and rivers around the world, and today we take another step toward achieving this historic goal."

Senator Stephen Saland said, "Governor Pataki has once again demonstrated his support of economic development along the Hudson. Today's announcement of grants for Beacon, the Town of Poughkeepsie and the Town of Rhinebeck pave the way for even further waterfront development. The opening of these headquarters, of what will be a world-class scientific and research center, is a positive addition to our quality of life."

City of Beacon Mayor Clara Lou Gould noted, "This is another exciting and innovative step in waterfront revitalization and economic development for New York State and the Hudson Valley, as well as a wonderful learning opportunity for residents and visitors."

"With the opening of this office, we are making the Rivers and Estuaries Center a reality for the City of Beacon, the Hudson River and the rivers and estuaries of the world," added John Cronin, former Riverkeeper and now Managing Director of the Rivers and Estuaries Center.

Governor Pataki proposed the development of a Rivers and Estuaries Center on the Hudson in his 2000 State of the State Address, and on April 22, 2003 (Earth Day), he announced the selection of the City of Beacon as the future home of this world-class scientific and research facility.

Many communities vied for the honor of hosting the River and Estuaries Center, including the Villages of Hastings and Haverstraw. Westchester County Executive Andy Spano at one time suggested using Croton Point Park. Governor Pataki pointed out that one of the reasons Beacon was chosen was its proximity to mass transit.

The Center, which will be located on state-owned property at Denning's Point, will be dedicated to advancing the understanding of rivers, estuaries and watersheds that will help guide policies for conservation and management of these natural systems. In addition, the Rivers and Estuaries Center will feature unique educational programs, including seminars, lectures and forums for teachers, students, citizen scientists and the general public.

Funding for the development and operation of the Center will come from a variety of sources, including individual and corporate donations, research and not-for-profit organizations, and governmental assistance. More than $30 million has been committed to the Center, including $10 million from the New York Power Authority, $5 million from the Dyson Foundation and $750,000 from Dutchess County.

In addition to assisting with the preparation of a Beacon Harbor Management plan and a study of potential locations and docking designs for Rivers and Estuaries Center vessels, the City of Beacon will use part of its EPF grant to design improvements to an 1860s historic waterfront barn that will house a community boat building.

Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels, who oversees the Department of State's (DOS) Division of Coastal Resources, said, "The Rivers and Estuaries Center on the Hudson highlights a number of ongoing waterfront projects that are giving new life to this historic river and communities throughout the Hudson Valley."

In addition to the City of Beacon and Villages of Dobbs Ferry and Hastings-on-Hudson, municipalities receiving EPF funding include:

Dutchess County:
Town of Poughkeepsie - $100,000: The town, coordinating with the City of Poughkeepsie and Marist College, will design and construct a fixed fishing and mooring pier at Longview Park on the Hudson River, on land jointly owned by the town and city. The 39-ft. pier, which will have a 32 ft. T crossing, will provide public access for fishing and offer mooring for non motorized boats, research and education boats, and touring boats.

Town of Rhinebeck - $3,000: The town will update and complete its draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to complement a new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Law. The LWRP will be used to guide protection of designated historic and scenic districts and the development of a greenway trail system to enhance public access to the Hudson River.

Greene County
Village of Athens - $200,000: The village will rehabilitate its Waterfront Park, two adjacent properties, and the streetscape along the central waterfront district. The project will include construction of a waterfront promenade, installation of 500 linear feet of steel sheet pile bulkhead, and dredging of 1,500 cubic yards of sediment from the former ferry slip.

Rockland County
Village of Haverstraw - $325,000 (2 projects): The village will begin construction of Phase I of Esplanade Park, including shoreline stabilization with riprap and a walkway along 956 linear feet of shoreline, complementing work to develop an adjacent residential community as part of a comprehensive urban renewal and waterfront redevelopment strategy. The land for Esplanade Park will be purchased by the site developer and donated to the village ($300,000); and
The village will complete plans for the restoration of 300 liner feet of eroding shoreline at the southern end of Emeline Park on the Hudson River. The project will consist of engineering and environmental studies, development of plans, cost estimates and bid documents for the reconstruction of bulkheads and repair of riprap areas ($25,000).

Ulster County
City of Kingston - $300,000: The city will complete streetscape and site improvements in the East Strand area along the Rondout Creek, implementing recommendations of the city's Waterfront Redevelopment Implementation Plan. Work will include paving a parking area for 80 vehicles, facade improvements for the Trolley Museum, relocation of a roadway median, and improvements to the city wastewater treatment plant.

In addition, a $30,000 grant is being provided to the City of Kingston to sponsor two boat tours by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance of the Hudson River from New York City to Troy (Rensselaer County) on the Fireboat John J. Harvey. Each free public tour spends 10 days on the river, with stops coordinated with local waterfront events and venues. The project will document opportunities for waterfront infrastructure revitalization and include publication of a Blue Links for New York: Evaluation of Hudson River Waterfront Infrastructure guidebook.

The grants are being provided through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). The Department of State's Division of Coastal Resources administers EPF matching grants to local governments for the preparation and implementation of LWRPs and inter municipal water body management plans, development of coastal education programs, creation of blueway trails and urban waterfront redevelopment. Since 1995, more than $58 million has been awarded through 621 LWRP grants for waterfront projects.