Category Archives: Events

Events, News

Watershed mapping workshop postposed to Jan 22nd

The exploration of and training on the Lower Esopus digital watershed sub-basin mapping tool has been pushed back 1 week.

Originally scheduled for Jan 15th, the workshop and training will now be on January 22nd, from 9am til noon.

The event is taking place at Cornell Cooperative Extension offices in the Kingston Plaza.
You are welcome to attend!

Workshop: TUESDAY, JANUARY 22nd, 9 am-12 noon

The digital sub-basin maps were created by the CCEDC GIS Lab in coordination with Hudsonia Ltd. for the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provided funding for this project from the Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program in partnership with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.

Events

September 22nd: Kayak Tour of tidal Esopus

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Saturday, September 22

Kayak Tour of the Tidal Lower Esopus – 9:30AM – 1PM

As part of Ulster County Creek Week, Riverkeeper and the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership, with TrailCross.com and Kenco are hosting a kayak tour of the tidal Lower Esopus Creek. The tour is suitable for those who have experience in a kayak.

Learn about the natural history and environmental issues facing the Lower Esopus Creek, with Riverkeeper’s Watershed Program Director Kate Hudson, naturalist Richard Parisio and other experts. The tour will include the tidal Lower Esopus creek, as well as a tour of the Saugerties Lighthouse. Riverkeeper has been working protect the creek from muddy discharges from the Ashokan Reservoir, and to test water quality as part of our Hudson River water quality study.

A limited number of kayaks, paddles and life preservers will be provided free of charge by TrailCross.com and Kenco. RSVP to Dan Shapley at dshapley@riverkeeper.org to reserve a spot on the trip and request equipment. Rentals are also available from Kencoand Saugerties Marina. If you bring your own kayak, be sure to bring all necessary paddling and safety equipment as well. Everyone should pack a snack or lunch, water and sun protection. Meet at Tina Chorvas Park, East Bridge Street, Saugerties, N.Y.

This event is part of Ulster County Creek Week, September 15-23.
For a complete list of activities please visit:
http://ucenvironment.org/ulster-county-creek-week/

Events

September 15th: Muddy Waters! presentation in Marbletown

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Saturday September 15th

Muddy Waters! Ashokan Reservoir Releases into the Lower Esopus Creek – 9:30-11:30AM

The Marbletown Environmental Conservation is hosting a dynamic presentation on the environmental impact and legal status of the Ashokan Reservoir releases into the Lower Esopus Creek. Whether you live nearby the creek, use it for recreation, or are just plain concerned, this presentation will provide you with the latest information in order to understand and act on this complex issue. Presenters will include: Ulster County Department of the Environment, Riverkeeper, and the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration begins at 9AM. Location is the Marbletown Community Center, Route 209, Stone Ridge. For additional information, contact the Marbletown Environmental Conservation at marbletownecc@yahoo.com.

This event is part of Ulster County Creek Week, September 15-23.
For a complete list of events/activities please visit their website:
http://ucenvironment.org/ulster-county-creek-week/

Events, News

Reservoir Release Workshop

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The Lower Esopus Ashokan Reservoir Release Workshop
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
6:30 – 8:30 pm
@ Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
In their new Kingston Plaza location at 232 Plaza Road
RSVP cbalmer@rcapsolutions.org

Thank you to all who were able to attend the LEWP-sponsored Lower Esopus Positive Action Workshop at the end of January. We are in the process of confirming and revising the priority projects that were identified during the workshop. One of the major activities we have been pursuing since then is the removal of log/ debris jams along the stream. LEWP is helping coordinate a funding application that is being submitted by Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District in early April. This funding is for debris sites that did not meet the imminent threat criteria required for funding through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

For many of you, the biggest concern is with water quality and quantity associated with releases from the Ashokan Reservoir. LEWP is holding a workshop to provide updates on this issue, including details of NYSDEC/ NYCDEP’s Interim Release Protocol; and to document your concerns and identify community action steps. Please save the date and email RSVP to Candace Balmer cbalmer@rcapsolutions.org.

Events, News

Lower Esopus Watershed Positive Action Workshop on January 30th

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Please join us on Monday, January 30, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Kingston Holiday Inn to help develop positive actions to improve the lower Esopus Creek. Presented by LEWP, the Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership

As we have begun to characterize the creek and its watershed, we have learned more about why and how it responds to various forces.  We can use this knowledge to implement specific activities that will benefit the watershed and our communities.  Through positive action we not only improve our surroundings, we demonstrate and reinforce our ability to get results.

Together, we will explore, prioritize and detail actions associated with:
• Diverting storm water runoff
• Managing woody debris
• Enhancing streamside buffers
• Exploring municipal land use control options
• Improving emergency preparedness

We will also discuss actions associated with NYC DEP releases from Ashokan Reservoir.

We need you!  Let’s create some doable activities and move into action!  

Refreshments start at 5:30 PM

Monday, January 30th; 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Kingston Holiday Inn, 503 Washington Avenue,
(just off the traffic circle)

Events, News

Upcoming Public Forum with County Exec and DEP

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On Monday, January 23, 2012, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein will host a public forum with New York City Department of Environmental Protection about area concerns including turbid releases into Esopus Creek. The County Executive will be joined by other upstate leaders, NYC DEP representatives and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation senior staff. The event will offer attendees the opportunity to have their voices heard and to ask important questions. The forum is scheduled for 6:00PM on January the 23rd at the John Quimby Theater at Ulster County Community College in Stone Ridge.