11th ANNUAL GREAT HUDSON RIVER PADDLE SET FOR JULY

11^th ANNUAL GREAT HUDSON RIVER PADDLE SET FOR JULY

NEW FORMAT WILL BOOST ECOTOURISM

(Albany, NY) –The Hudson River Valley Greenway is encouraging residents of the Hudson Valley and beyond to get ready for the 11th Annual Great Hudson River Paddle, scheduled for July 1-31, 2011.

Following ten highly successful years the Hudson River Valley Greenway is changing the format of the Great Hudson River Paddle (GHRP) from a single end-to-end trip to a series of many types of partner run paddles. The new Great Hudson River Paddle will be modeled on the celebrated Hudson River Valley Ramble and will include short overnight paddles, day paddles, free paddles, paddle races, and any other events our partners dream up. The goals of the change are to get more people out on the Hudson in a safe and fun environment and to bolster local economic development through increased ecotourism.

A new website allows partners to directly upload events. The GHRP website, www.greatHRpaddle.org, is ready for event entries from our partner organizations, and will be the go-to destination for paddling events this July.

The Paddle offers the opportunity for participants to enjoy a variety of kayaking and boating experiences, and canal and estuary explorations that highlight the significant historical, cultural and natural resources found throughout the Hudson River Valley. Click to watch a video about the GHRP. Experiencing these resources from the water gives participants a unique and up-close perspective that is not to be missed.

Riverkeeper's May 2011 Hudson River Water Quality Report

May 2011 Sampling Data
Hudson River Water Quality Report:
First sampling patrol of 2011 - May 16 through May 19
Highlights

This month our sampling patrol was carried out aboard “Launch 5” while Riverkeeper’s boat was in final stages of a major rebuild. Many thanks to Greg Porteus, owner of “Launch 5.”

Our May patrol was rainy, wet and nasty. It rained between 1.2 and 2.5 inches during and before our patrol (with local heavy rain every day as we worked north) and, as a result, we found more unacceptable water quality than ever before. Not one sample site north of Poughkeepsie was “acceptable.” This is stunning. I've never been on a patrol like this one. Read on to see how the Hudson River can be regularly and dramatically compromised by sewage releases triggered by something as simple as a few inches of rain.
Of 74 sampling locations:
59 (80%) were “unacceptable”
7 (9%) were “possible risk”
8 (11%) were “acceptable”

Fleet Week Security Zones 2011

To: Distribution From: Waterways Management Division Re: U.S. NAVY FLEET WEEK May 25-June 1, 2011
Date: May 16, 2011
Revision No: 03 CGAN NUMBER: 2011-013
NAVAL VESSEL PROTECTION ZONE (NVPZ) & SAFETY ZONE:
The U.S. Coast Guard has established 500-yard safety/ security zones surrounding all Fleet Week 2011 participatory vessels in the navigable waters of the United States. When within a 500 yard safety/security zone, all vessels shall operate at the minimum safe speed necessary to maintain course and shall proceed as directed by the Coast Guard or Navy. Other law enforcement agencies will assist in maintaining the zones. No vessel or person is allowed within 100 yards of naval vessels without permission of the Captain of the Port. Naval Vessel Protection Zones are in effect AT ALL TIMES.

The following waterway restrictions and closures will be in effect during Fleet Week 2011.

Save the Date: Green & Blue Drinks on the Waterfront in Long Island City, Queens!

Green & Blue Drinks on the Waterfront in Long Island City, Queens!

Green Shores NYC & The Long Island City Community Boathouse with the New York City Water Trail Association

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Anable Basin Bar & Grill

4-40 44th Drive, LIC 1110

6:30-10pm

This month the drinks are Green & Blue!

For the third year in a row, The Long Island City Community Boathouse and Green Shores NYC are sponsoring the July Queens Green Drinks on the Western Queens Waterfront! This year, they are joined by a partner in ensuring access to and a healthy future for our waterways-the New York City Water Trail Association (NYCWTA)!

NYCWTA started the City's first Blue Drinks (modeled after Green Drinks) in May of this year and they are excited to bring Blue Drinks to Queens!

Enjoy breathtaking views and watch the sun go down behind the Manhattan skyline. Music, drinks and summer BBQ!

BRONX KILL--GOOD NEWS!

Nancy Brous and Rob Buchanan of the NYC Water Trail Association and Harry Bubbins of Friends of Brook Park went to Randall's Island yesterday to hear Con Ed's plans for removing the conduit that obstructs the east end of the waterway (here's a video taken a few minutes before the meeting).


We were apprehensive that the company might continue to insist on 'outside funding'--in other words, on someone else paying for the removal. But their spokesman, David Gmach, said that in fact they were in the final stages of the 'procurement process'--in other words, they had selected a contractor and accepted the bid--and would move ahead with the removal whether or not outside funding was available.

Download and print your own Tide Wheel

You can now download a pdf and print your own NYC Water Trail Tide Wheel.
Click HERE and follow the instructions provided.

If you'd like to receive a tide wheel by mail, send your name and address to nycwta@gmail.com

Save the Date Saturday, August 6th: Susan G. Komen Foundation Paddle for the Cure Race & Fun Paddle!

Save the Date
Saturday, August 6th:

Susan G. Komen Foundation Paddle for the Cure Race & Fun Paddle!

The event will have something for all paddlers. including a poker run for the laid-back paddler, and long & short race courses for the novice to elite racers. The day culminates in a BBQ and party at Annesville Creek.

Sponsored by The Hudson River Water Trail Association (HRWA). The kayak race and fun paddle is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, for breast cancer research and awareness.

The fund raising paddling event will start in beautiful Cold Spring, and continue through the Peekskill stretch of the river.

Save August 6th and join HRWA for a fun day while paddling for a great cause.
Details to follow!

All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

www.hrwa.org