By Rebecca Martin
The health of the Esopus Creek is critical overall to our area. It’s an asset that runs through Kingston and the Town of Ulster on its way out eventually to the Hudson River. As it currently stands, there are few access points to the Esopus here at home. In most cases, it is bypassed by roadways in these modern times – making the tributary forgotten by many. Certainly, the Kingston Land Trust hopes to make it possible for more public access by teaming up with the many partners who have dedicated their energies towards the creek.
Try to get to this public meeting to learn more about the recent and upcoming releases.
Public Meeting on Lower Esopus Creek
The Ashokan Release Working Group is holding a public informational meeting on July 28th at the Town of Ulster Town Hall. The meeting will start at 7:30pm.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update to the public about the work the group has been doing regarding the water releases that occurred this past fall and winter from the Ashokan Reservoir. Water releases made by the NYCDEP generated community concerns downstream because of the turbid nature of those releases.
The meeting will provide an overview of the Ashokan Reservoir, an update on an impact assessment that is being conducted, including field visits, to follow up on a questionnaire sent out by the ARWG in May. The meeting will also describe next steps regarding the management of releases from the Ashokan Reservoir.
For questions pertaining to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection contact: Farrell Sklerov / Michael Saucier (718) 595-6600
For questions pertaining to Ulster County contact: Amanda LaValle (845) 338-7455
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ARWG Members:
The Ashokan Release Working Group consists of representatives from the Ashokan Foundation, City of Kingston, County of Ulster, Esopus Creek Conservancy, Federated Sportsman of Ulster County, Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York Public Interest Research Group, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Health, RCAP Solutions, Riverkeeper, Towns of Hurley, Marbletown, Olive, Saugerties and Ulster, United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Village of Saugerties.
ARWG Mission:
The Ashokan Release Working Group (ARWG) will, through a collaborative consensus building process:
- Assist with the development, implementation and review of an assessment of ecological, physical and economic impacts of the releases that occurred from October 7, 2010 through February 1, 2011.
- Develop a protocol for, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of, releases from the Ashokan Reservoir to advance the protection and improvement of water quantity and quality and provide flood hazard reduction benefits of the lower Esopus Creek.
- Ensure the release protocol is protective of the ecological, physical and economic interests of the lower Esopus and its adjoining communities while remaining protective of the NYC water supply.