LowerEsopus.org promotes appreciation and environmental stewardship for the Lower Esopus Creek Watershed in Ulster County, NY. Its overarching vision is to foster a healthy, vibrant, and resilient Lower Esopus ecosystem.
The severe flood of April 2–3, 2005, motivated local communities to join forces to address shared concerns regarding flooding, reservoir releases, and watershed health. This prompted the formation of the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership (LEWP), an intermunicipal coalition that brought together the City of Kingston, the Village of Saugerties, and the Towns of Saugerties, Ulster, Hurley, Marbletown, and Olive from 2004 to 2014.
The Lower Esopus Creek Advisory Council (LECAC) was originally formed as a Project Advisory Committee for the Lower Esopus Stream Management Plan and adopted a temporary Framework of Collaboration in March 2026. The LECAC works with local partners to align advocacy efforts and coordinate projects across the watershed.
LECAC’s Primary Goals:
- Improve water quality
- Reduce flood risk through floodplain management
- Enhance stream function
- Support ecosystem health and diversity
- Encourage sustainable recreation
- Engage local communities