Long Distance Paddlers Speak at Beczak Sat. Sept. 29

Friends -

The Capital to Capital Canoe Expedition is paddling by Yonkers on this
Saturday, on day 24 of their 1000+ mile journey from Ottawa, Canada to
Washington, DC. They'll stop, camp for a day or two, and speak at Beczak
Environmental Education Center on SAturday, Sept. 29, at 7 PM, as part of
the RiverTalks series sponsored by YPRC and Hudson River Watertrail Assn.
 Come and find out what they experienced paddling down Lake Champlain, what
Canada's River Declaration is all about, why they chose to paddle a 36'
Voyageur Canoe, and how Canada's approach to clean water differs from ours.

The 10 person *Capital to Capital* team includes Max Finkelstein from
Ottawa, a long distance paddler and author of Canoeing a Continent;Nicholas
Tilgner, a Yukon River Guide, Dot Bonnenfant, long distance paddler and
artist, and Willis Elkins, trip leader/canoe instructor for the North
Brooklyn Boat Club.

MORE INFO ABOUT THE CAPITAL TO CAPITAL EXPEDITION:
https://sites.google.com/site/capital2capitol/home

MORE INFO ABOUT THIS RIVERTALK: http://rivertalks.blogspot.com/

See you at Beczak -
Lenore
lperson@beczak.org

THIS SUNDAY - first ever pilot free public paddling program on the MANHATTAN SIDE OF THE EAST RIVER

Hi all-
Sorry for the mass-announcement but we finally got the green light for this event and its THIS SUNDAY!
Please share the info with all of your friends and email lists.
We believe that this first pilot kayaking program based on the previously under-served Manhattan side of the east river will be a huge step forward for city-wide public access to the waters of NY harbor for human-powered boaters and eventually swimmers, plus a good way t promote public health and environmental stewardship.
If you can help out by volunteering, please let me know back-channel.
If you or your group is out on the water that day or even out on bikes or foot, please come by to show your support.
thanks!
Nancy for NYCWTA

Sunday, August 19, 2pm-7pm (last boats will go out at 6:15pm)
Stuyvesant Cove Park (http://goo.gl/maps/fXogc)
Pilot program:  Free Public Kayaking In Stuyvesant Cove Park 

Come join human-powered boaters and public water access advocates for an afternoon of free public kayaking in Stuyvesant Cove Park!  Participants can try paddling in safe, stable open-topped kayaks in a protected area of the East River adjacent to Stuyvesant Cove near east 20th street.  The "bay" at this cove is nestled in a bend in the river which is partially protected from the stronger currents of the East River making it a great spot on to try out kayaking. 
Participants must know how to swim, be at least 18 years old or attend with a parent or guardian, and must sign insurance waivers.  All equipment is provided free, and participation will be on a first-come first-paddling basis.

Boats and gear are being provided by the Long Island City Community Boathouse (LICCB), and the event is a joint project of LICCB, the New York City Water Trail Association, and Urban Swim, in conjunction with the Lower East Side Ecology Center, SWIM Coalition, and the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club and with the support of Solar 1, and NYCEDC.

Come help us open up the "east coast" of Manhattan for free public access for non-motorized boats and more.

excellent blog on the science of our waterways

their most recent post has an animated model of the spread of the sewage from the spill/controlled release upriver in tarrytown this week.
all of their posts are informative and interesting, pus they have excellent links.
enjoy.

SeaAndSkyNY

illuminating the waterways & atmosphere of new york city

Riverkeeper's Hudson Water Quality Report - June 2012

 

View as webpage  SHARE!     Hudson River Water Quality Report: June 11 through June 16, 2012 Our July water quality data has been posted to www.riverkeeper.org. Here is a summary of our June Patrol. Highlights Of 74 sampling locations:   3 (4%) were "unacceptable" 11 (15%) were "possible risk" 60 (81%) were "acceptable" Continued moderately dry weather resulted in findings very similar to May. So far this year is turning out to be quite unlike prior years – from 2006 through 2011 the average number of "unacceptable" samples was 24% (18 of 74 sites). In June we found even fewer "unacceptable" sites than in May (3 vs. 9). We're getting a glimpse at the water quality we COULD have if wet weather overflows were eliminated. The only whopper of the whole patrol was the Mohawk River sample (see day # 5) NY Harbor (day 1-6/11): There has been no rain in this area for days. All sites, except two, were "acceptable" – including Newtown Creek and Gowanus sites. In NYC and other Cities, rain events overload sewers and trigger Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), when there is no rain the city's sewage infrastructure works well. And if there is no rain for a number of days the microbes released during the last wet weather die and we achieve good water quality. We'll have to keep after NYC to reduce and eliminate CSOs - that's where the problem, and the challenge, lies.  Kids on the little beach in Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges – wherever there is a beach children always get in the water English Kills, Newtown Creek. Even though fecal contamination was very low on 6/11 it wouldn't be a good idea to swim there Yonkers to Peekskill (day 2 – 6/12): Steady rain started mid-day and continued overnight. Still, we saw no "unacceptable" counts at any sites although several were elevated to level of "possible risk." There is a lag between the start of rain and increased contamination in the River. The lag interval varies by location. Bear Mountain to Port Ewen (day 3 – 6/14): We skipped a day before continuing north. No "unacceptable" samples again today. Dry weather.   Kingston to Catskill (day 4 – 6/15): No rain overnight or today, fine weather. Nice water quality. All tributaries were low turbidity, low flow and low fecal contamination. The Kingston sewer plant outfall was "unacceptable' but only by a hair.  Family swimming from boat Rondout Creek and Kingston Point Beach Another family on west side of Stockport Middle Ground, north of Hudson Hudson to Waterford (day 5 – 6/16): There was no rain again last night or today. We found really nice water quality, even in the Capitol District, which is often a mess. The only whopper of the whole patrol was the Mohawk River sample - 1023 Entero per 100ml (the federal guideline for swimming in fresh water is 61). There was low flow from the Mohawk, moderate flow from Hudson headwaters. The holding tank pump out system for visiting yachts was broken at the Waterford Visitor's Center. Fifteen or so yachts with 2 to 5 people living aboard each one. I'm not saying that was the cause BUT…300 yards away, around the corner on the Hudson side, the Entero count was 10 per 100ml. That's a big difference. Maybe, just maybe, this should say "Please do not feed people or cruisers" June 2012 Sampling Data For River Mile 0 to River Mile 44, the following standards apply: For River Mile 45 north, the following standards apply: To learn more about Riverkeeper's Water Quality Program, and to view historic sampling data, please visit www.riverkeeper.org/water-quality/hudson. View other monthly water quality reports, June 2010 to present View sampling data sorted historically by individual sampling location. © Riverkeeper 2012
Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries and protecting the drinking water supply of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents. Contribute to this vital work, become a member today. Forward this message  -  Log in to update your profile -  Unsubscribe If you have received this e-mail from a friend, sign up now and receive Riverkeeper news in your in box!

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Supreme Court to Consider EQUAL FOOTING DOCTRINE, NAVIGABILITY, PROPERTY, FEDERALISM - PPL Montana, LLC v. Montana (10-218)

I received this from a friend, fellow paddler, HRWA member, and lawyer(!). 
I find it fascinating and thought others might as well.
Should be interesting to follow through the Supreme Court.
NB

<<This may bore you to tears but, I suspect, it may impact discussions for some of you on those creeks and bayous that you call home for the clubs. It will be argued before the US Supreme Court on December 7. So, keep an ear open for any commentary about it. Feel free to forward or to circulate.

Best wishes, Richard Clifford

PPL Montana, LLC v. Montana (10-218)

Oral argument: Dec. 7, 2011

Appealed from: Montana Supreme Court (Mar. 30, 2010)

EQUAL FOOTING DOCTRINE, NAVIGABILITY, PROPERTY, FEDERALISM

After a lawsuit against hydroelectric company PPL Montana was dismissed in federal court, PPL Montana sought a declaratory judgment in state court to determine the ownership of riverbeds along three Montana rivers. The State of Montana asserted that it owned the riverbeds under the equal footing doctrine, and sought compensation for PPL Montana's use of the land. The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's grant of summary judgment to Montana, holding that the State of Montana owned the riverbeds and that PPL Montana owed the State of Montana $40,956,180. The issue of title largely turns upon whether the river is "navigable." PPL Montana argues that navigability for title purposes should be determined by looking at individual segments of rivers and the actual commercial use of rivers at the time statehood was obtained. Montana contends that the proper navigability test is the susceptibility of travel through longer river stretches, which can be informed by current uses. The Supreme Court's decision may affect rivers' public benefits and the reliance interests of riverbed owners.

continues...

--   Richard C. Clifford, Esq. Attorney at Law 

Nov 30: Riverkeeper presentation: Hows's the Water?

How’s the Water – and How Can We Improve It? A Joint Presentation by Riverkeeper and Clearwater, sponsored by the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club and the Hudson River Watertrail Association

Photo courtesy Greg Porteus

When:

November 30, 2011: 6:30PM to 8:00PM

Where:

Beczak Environmental Education Center, 35 Alexander St. – two blocks north of the train station in Yonkers, NY map

The public is invited to join representatives from Riverkeeper’s Patrol Boat Program and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s Green Cities program for presentations about water quality in the Hudson River and its tributaries, and what we can do to improve it.
The Hudson River has long defined the character and quality of life in our communities. In recent decades the Hudson has enjoyed a revival with increasing numbers of people wanting to live near it and recreate in it. However, our management of the river has not kept pace with its new role as a popular recreational destination.
For six years, Riverkeeper’s Patrol Boat and its scientific partners have been testing the water for sewage contamination and reporting the findings to the public. Riverkeeper will present data from its Water Quality Testing Program, and discuss opportunities to improve public notification of sewage discharges and Hudson River water quality for safer swimming, boating and fishing.
Because the cities of the Hudson River Valley drive regional economic development and have high concentration of diverse people and environmental concerns, Clearwater has developed the Green Cities Initiative. Clearwater will present its Green Cities programs, which include working with underserved communities in waterfront cities to include principles of sustainability – such as watershed protection, green infrastructure practices, environmental justice, and climate justice – into all phases of municipal and community planning.
Questions and discussion will follow the presentations.
This event is sponsored by the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club and the Hudson River Watertrail Association, and made possible by a grant from the Westchester Community Foundation. Attendees will be asked for a suggested donation of $5 to benefit Beczak Environmental Education Center.

DEP and DEC reach draft agreement on Green Infrastructure for CSO control

From DEP's press release:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection reached a draft agreement to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSO) into area water bodies, the agencies announced today. The agreement modifies New York City's approach to improving harbor water quality, under which the city will invest an estimated $187 million in green infrastructure projects by 2015, part of a planned $2.4 billion public and private investment over the next 20 years. The city will also complete work on approximately $1.6 billion in gray infrastructure projects. A public comment period on the proposal begins today and runs through November 18.

Go to October 19, 2011 ENB Notice for a summary of major changes to the CSO Consent Order, or fidn the entire document at 2011 CSO Order Modification.

Public Comment Period: The comment period commences on October 19, 2011 and concludes on November 18, 2011. Comments will be accepted by Gary Kline, NYS DEC – Division of Water, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-3506 , Phone: (518) 402-9655, Fax: (518) 402-9029, E-mail: gekline@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

 —–>Public Meeting: A public meeting will be held at the NYS DEC – Region 2, Annex Building, 11-15 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101, on November 9, 2011 starting at 6:00 p.m.<—–