reskilling - watershed awareness, manna jo greene

[email protected]

(845) 454-7673 x113

Watershed Awareness, Planning & ProtectionWatershed Awareness, Planning & Protectionin the Hudson River Basinin the Hudson River Basin

Saturday, November 23, 2013Saturday, November 23, 2013

Mid-Atlantic Transition HubMid-Atlantic Transition Hub

Manna Jo Greene, Environmental DirectorManna Jo Greene, Environmental DirectorHudson River Sloop ClearwaterHudson River Sloop Clearwater

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is dedicated to protect the ecology of the Hudson River ecosystem

and quality of life for all the people who live in its watershed thru:

Education, Advocacy and Celebration.• Built in 1969, the sloop Clearwater serves as a moveable classroom, laboratory, stage, and forum.

• Clearwater sailed to Washington, DC in 1970 bearing petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures and held an impromptu concert in the halls of Congress to help pass the Clean Water Act.

• Clearwater annually hosts the Great Hudson River Revival, the original environmental music festival, which features diverse music, dance, folk arts, crafts to spread its message of environmental stewardship, and participates in many other celebrations of the Hudson River.

• Clearwater advocated to get EPA to require GE to clean up PCB-contaminated sediments from 40 miles of “hotspots” in the Upper Hudson.

• Our mission has expanded to creating the next generation of environmental leaders and to promoting environmental justice (“EJ”). Founder Pete Seeger, 89, with Bruce Springstein

at Obama Inaugural Concert.

HUDSON RIVER SLOOP CLEARWATER, INC.

What is a watershed?What is a watershed?

An area of land An area of land that drains into that drains into a single body of a single body of water, such as the water, such as the Hudson River.Hudson River.


Pete SeegerPete Seeger::“Ghost dancing on one toe”“Ghost dancing on one toe”

Hudson River WatershedHudson River Watershed

•315 miles long315 miles long

•Drains 13,400 milesDrains 13,400 miles22

•Covers 5 states: Covers 5 states: NY, NJ, VT, MA, CT NY, NJ, VT, MA, CT 28% of NY’s land area 28% of NY’s land area

HeadwatersHeadwaters of the Hudson River: of the Hudson River: Lake Tear of the CloudsLake Tear of the Clouds

~ Mt. Marcy, Adirondack Park~ Mt. Marcy, Adirondack Park

~ Elevation 4, 293 ft. ~ Elevation 4, 293 ft.

MainstemMainstem:: View from View from Storm King MountainStorm King Mountain

~ Passes through 19 counties that ~ Passes through 19 counties that are home to 8 million people are home to 8 million people~ Lower 155 miles are tidal~ Lower 155 miles are tidal

Mouth:Mouth: New York HarborNew York Harbor

~ Ends at Verranzano Narrows~ Ends at Verranzano Narrows~~ Connects with NY/NJ Harbor EstuaryConnects with NY/NJ Harbor Estuary

TributariesTributaries carry water, nutrients, carry water, nutrients, pollutants and sediments through pollutants and sediments through the watershed.the watershed.

Ecosystems ServicesEcosystems Services

- Control flooding- Control flooding- Filter pollutants- Filter pollutants- Important habitat for fish and wildlife- Important habitat for fish and wildlife

Tributaries

Constitution Marsh, Garrison, NY

Wetlands


The lower The lower tidal portiontidal portion of the Hudson (below the Federal Dam in Troy) is fed by over 6,000 of the Hudson (below the Federal Dam in Troy) is fed by over 6,000 miles of tributaries making up 14% of the total flowmiles of tributaries making up 14% of the total flow..

Basic Watershed HydrologyGroundwater flowsto Surface Water

Aquifer: subsurface deposit that transmits and stores water

Ground water: water that flows through subsurface deposits

Ground-water recharge: precipitation that passes through the land surface to become ground water

Water-supply wells interrupt the natural flow of ground

water

How Ground Water Occurs:

Aquifers:• Bedrock• Sand & gravel deposits• Special case: Karst

Fractured bedrock

Deltaic deposit

Karst dissolution

- Pollution: nutrients, toxins, pathogens, debris - Erosion & Sedimentation (siltation)- Impervious Surface: Sprawl- Invasive Species- Dams- Special Cases: Karst & Isolated Wetlands- Climate Change

Threats to Groundwater Quality

Non-Point Sources: Salt loading

Point Source: End of Pipe

Source: University of Wisconsin, 2000Non-point pollution is diffuse. Contaminants are transported by stormwater and groundwater.

This diagram shows how development and its corresponding increase in impervious cover disrupts the natural water balance. In the post-development setting, the amount of water running off the site is dramatically increased.

Water Quantity (Drinking Water)(Source: Center for Watershed Protection , 1999)

Impervious SurfacesImpervious Surfaces++

Runoff and ErosionRunoff and Erosion

Deposition of Deposition of Sediments Sediments

and Pollutantsand Pollutants

Recipe for Disaster

Tributary Buffer ZonesTributary Buffer Zones

Wetlands Wetlands

Importance of Watershed Protection

Examples of Lack of Protection

• Santa Cruz, NM• Fenton River, CT• Ipswich River, MA

Fenton RiverSeptember,

2005

• Increase in impervious surfaces and intensity of storms leads to increased frequency and severity of flooding events

Threats to Watershed: Flooding

Erosion & Sedimentation

Failed sedimentation basin

Severe bank erosion

Destroys Habitat


Treasures and ResourcesTreasures and Resources

Historical and Cultural AssetsHistorical and Cultural Assets

Recreational Opportunities Recreational Opportunities Transportation/IndustryTransportation/Industry

Tourism Tourism

Hudson River WatershedHudson River Watershed: : • Critical for water supply, fish and wildlife Critical for water supply, fish and wildlife

habitat, open space preservation, and habitat, open space preservation, and recreational opportunities.recreational opportunities.

NYC’s Water Supply SystemNYC’s Water Supply System• ““Cat-Del” and Croton provides high-quality Cat-Del” and Croton provides high-quality

water to 9 million NYC residentswater to 9 million NYC residents

• 580 billion gallon capacity580 billion gallon capacity

• Watershed Protection vs. FiltrationWatershed Protection vs. Filtration

• Well Testing Laws; Aquifer ProtectionWell Testing Laws; Aquifer Protection

Ecosystems Protection Pays OffEcosystems Protection Pays OffCatskill System: Threatened with increasing

pollution due to development, ag runoff and other activities, the City faced a choice: build an artificial filtering system for $6-$8 billion or invest $1 billion in proper development and restoring the Catskills’ natural filtering purification system. Choosing to protect ecosystems saved City taxpayers $5 to $7 billion -- and increased rural property values. -- Penn State College of Ag Sciences, Coop Extension & Center for Biodiversity Research, Environmental Resources Research Inst.

Biodiversity: Our Living World: Your Life Depends On It! (Penn State U: University Park, PA 2001), p. 7


FisheriesFisheries

Striped BassStriped Bass

American ShadAmerican Shad

Atlantic SturgeonAtlantic Sturgeon

American EelAmerican Eel

Netting Shad Netting Shad in the Hudsonin the Hudson

Hudson River Fish Need Your Support

Hudson River Fish in Trouble: 10 of 13 Signature Hudson River Fish in Decline

Major causes include: • loss of habitat and spawning grounds, • overfishing and ocean bycatch, • low dissolved oxygen from sewage plant discharges, and • impingement, entrainment and thermal pollution from power plants.

_________

THREE SPECIES DOING WELL Striped bass and bluefish are voracious predators of smaller fish and shrimp. Spottail shiner, a minnow that feeds on zooplankton and benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms, is also on the increase.

SPECIES IN JEOPARDY

American shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod)

Hogchoker (Trinectus maculates)

Bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Alewife (Alosa psuedoharengus)

Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Striped bass (Morone soxotilis)

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius )

Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)

White perch (Morone americana)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

White catfish (Ameiurus catus)


WildlifeWildlife

Some are on Some are on the rise...the rise...

Juvenile Bald EagleJuvenile Bald Eagle

While others While others strugglestruggle

# Fledged ‘93-03# Fledged ‘93-03

MinkMink Tree Swallow w/ tumorTree Swallow w/ tumor


Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act

Critical Habitat DesignationCritical Habitat Designation

Conservation EasementsConservation Easements

Habitat PreservationHabitat Preservation

Reintroduction; RestorationReintroduction; Restoration

Watershed & Biodiversity ProtectionWatershed & Biodiversity Protection

VICTORY FOR BALD EAGLE PROTECTION

Notice of Intent to Sue resulted in agreement to reduce Bald Eagle mortality:

• Carcass removal program• Data collection & reporting• Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

Bald Eagle has since been delisted from the Federal Endangered Species Act; still threatened in NY State.

Threats to the Health of Threats to the Health of the Hudson River Watershedthe Hudson River Watershed

Acid Rain - SO2Acid Rain - SO2

Habitat DegradationHabitat DegradationLoss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity

MercuryMercury

Persistent Contamination Persistent Contamination

Health ThreatHealth Threat

Smog - NOxSmog - NOx

AsthmaAsthmaRespiratory IllnessRespiratory Illness

Persistent Organic Pollutants: Persistent Organic Pollutants:

PCBsPCBs – – insulating oil used in electrical transformers insulating oil used in electrical transformers DDTDDT - - pesticide pesticide DioxinDioxin - - byproduct of many processesbyproduct of many processesMTBEMTBE - - gasoline additivegasoline additive TCE, PCETCE, PCE - - cleaner, grease removercleaner, grease removerPAHsPAHs - - produced from combustionproduced from combustion PBDEsPBDEs - - flame retardantflame retardantAPEsAPEs - - used in certain soaps and detergentsused in certain soaps and detergents

Emerging Contaminants: Pharmaceuticals, CaffeineEmerging Contaminants: Pharmaceuticals, Caffeine


PCBsPCBs• Ban on taking fish from the Ban on taking fish from the

Upper Hudson remainsUpper Hudson remains

• Fish advisories still in place throughoutFish advisories still in place throughout

• Remediation of upper Hudson PCB Remediation of upper Hudson PCB hotspots began in 2009; now more than hotspots began in 2009; now more than halfway completed, halfway completed, however…however…

• ~136 acres of PCB contaminated ~136 acres of PCB contaminated sediment is outside of the area sediment is outside of the area designated for dredging designated for dredging

Clamshell dredging

Invasive Species: Zebra MusselsInvasive Species: Zebra MusselsChanges in the Hudson following the zebra mussel invasion

(from studies of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies)

% change following the invasion

-100 -50 0 50 100 150

phytoplankton

small zooplankton

native mussels

large zooplankton

animals in deep-water sediments

dissolved oxygen

planktonic bacteria

water clarity

soluble reactive phosphoruslosses gains

animals in shallow-water sediments

Eurasian Water ChestnutEurasian Water Chestnut

Indian Point Nuclear Power PlantIndian Point Nuclear Power Plant

Liabilities:

• Aging, Leaking Facility

• Spent Fuel Storage: (Proposed long-term storage for high-level radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain is no longer an option; will be kept in dry cask storage on site.)

• Evacuation Impossible

Assets:

• Provides 2,000 mW of electricity

• Employs 1,250 people

• Emits less CO2 than coal, gas or oil

• Cleaner, Safer Alternatives Ignored

Model of groundwater contamination plume (shown in red) moving toward river.

EggsEggs LarvaeLarvae AdultAdult

Power plants kill fish by impingement, entrainment and thermal shock.

ThermalThermalplumeplume

FATE AND TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES FROM INDIAN POINT LEAKS AND OTHER RELEASES

-- Several communities in lower Hudson take drinking water from Hudson River, but it is not brackish. -- PCBs, which are present in water column and sediment, are readily be filtered out, but radioisotopes are not.-- Trace amounts of tritium, Sr-89/90, Cs-134/137 are released from contaminated groundwater under Indian Point. Sr-90 measured in pilot results. DEIS ignores vapor and particulate-bound isotopes.-- Tritium (tritiated water) is not removed by reverse osmosis; Sr and Cs difficult and costly to filter; create radioactive waste.-- DEIS doesn’t account for cumulative or synergistic effects of multiple exposures; humans have range of sensitivity; MCLs are averages determined by risk assessment; don’t protect most sensitive or vulnerable.-- Curies measure radiation emission intensity; REMs measure physiologic damage done. DEIS does not discuss REMs. ~ Precautionary Principle: Prevention; not remediation. Sound alternatives exist. ~

UWNY Proposed Desalination Project

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

Hurricane Irene Hurricane Irene

Tropical Storm LeeTropical Storm Lee

Superstorm SandySuperstorm Sandy

Energy ConsumptionEnergy Consumption

Central Hudson (June 2002 - July 2003)

05

10152025303540

Coal Gas Oil Nuclear Hydro Other

Per

cent

Hydraulic Fracturing (“Hydrofracking”)

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/copyright.html

http://www.nytco.com/

Opportunities Opportunities

Critical for water supply, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.Critical for water supply, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Open Space PreservationOpen Space Preservation

Hudson River Watershed Alliance“To protect, conserve and restore the water resources of the Hudson River Basin through collaborative outreach, education, networking, science, information sharing and technical assistance by and for the stakeholders of the region.”

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY WATERSHED ALLIANCE

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS*

American Association of University WomenArm-of-the-Sea TheaterAudubon New YorkAudubon Society of NYBattenkill Watershed AllianceBottskill Baptist ChurchBrooks and Brooks, P.C.Builders Association of the Hudson ValleyCatholic Worker FarmCity of PoughkeepsieColumbia UniversityCornell Cooperative ExtensionCroton Watershed Clean Water CoalitionCUNY John Jay CollegeDhammakaya FoundationDutchess County Environmental Management

CouncilDutchess County Lakes CommissionDutchess County Soil & Water Conservation

DistrictEnvironmental Advocates of NYEnvironmental DefenseEsopus Creek ConservancyFairleigh Dickinson UniversityFederated Conservationists of Westchester CountyFishkill Creek Watershed CommitteeFishkill Ridge CaretakersFishkill Ridge Community HeritageFriends of Callicoon MountainFriends of the ShawangunksGardiner Democratic CommitteeGardiner Environmental CommissionGreene County Soil and Water Conservation

DistrictHudson Highlands Land TrustHudsonia Ltd.Hudson River National Estuarine Research

ReserveHudson Basin River WatchHudson River Estuary ProgramHudson River Sloop Clearwater

Hudson River Watertrail AssociationHudson River Valley Greenway ConservancyInstitute of Ecosystem StudiesJohn Burroughs AssociationKingston High SchoolLamont-Doherty Earth ObservatoryLocal Union #19 UBCJALand Use Law Center – Pace UniversityLeague of Women Voters of Mid-UlsterLloyd Environmental CommissionLower Hudson Coalition of Conservation DistrictsLMS Engineers, LLPMarbletown Environmental Conservation

CommissionMarist CollegeMid-Hudson Pattern for ProgressMid-Hudson Sierra ClubMohonk ConsultationsMohonk Reservation AssociationMoodna Creek CoalitionShawangunk Ridge Artists GuildSierra ClubMuseum of Industrial ArtNational Audubon SocietyNature ConservancyNorwood Community ActionNYC Dept. of Environmental ProtectionNY-NJ Trail ConferenceNYS Dept. of Environmental ConservationNYS Dept. of HealthNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic

PreservationOnesquethaw-Coeymans Watershed CouncilOrange County Federation of SportsmenOrange County Peace & JusticeOrange County Water AuthorityPalisades Interstate Park CommissionPassaic River CoalitionPattern for ProgressPlan PutnamProtect the Plattekill Creek & Watershed

Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCESRamapo CollegeRamapo River CommitteeRamapo River Watershed CouncilRivers and Estuaries CenterRiverkeeper, Inc.Rockland County LegislatureRosendale Environmental CommissionSawkill Watershed AllianceScenic HudsonStudent Conservation Association, Inc.Shingebiss AssociatesSouthern Catskill AnglersSparkill Watershed ConservancySUNY/ESFSUNY/New PaltzSustainable Hudson ValleyTown Board of New PaltzTown of GardinerTown of GreenvilleTown of Lloyd Environmental Conservation

CouncilTown of MarbletownTown of MontgomeryTown of Red HookTown of RochesterTri-County Skaneateles Lake Pure Water Assoc.Trout UnlimitedTrust for Public LandUlster County Environmental Management CouncilUlster County Planning Dept.United NationsUS Army Corps of EngineersUS Environmental Protection AgencyUS Geological SurveyVillage of Cornwall-on-HudsonVillage of New PaltzWallkill River Task ForceWallkill Valley Land TrustWappinger Creek Intermunicipal CouncilWestchester County Department of Planning

* The organizations listed have participated in the formation of the Alliance, however actual membership in the Hudson River Valley Watershed Alliance has not yet been defined.

Wetlands Protection:

Prevent Filling & Draining

Value to watersheds:

• Pollutant removal• Flood storage• Groundwater recharge• Habitat• Shoreline/stream protection

Special Condition:

Isolated WetlandsVernal Pools (Intermittent Woodland Pools);

SWANCC exempted from protection

Riparian Corridors and Wetlands

Roles and Services:• Prevent “firehose” effect, erosion and channel incision

Regulations:• NYS DEC ( > 12.4 acres)• US Army Corps of Engineers ( > 0.1 acre)

Freshwater Wetlands & NWI maps.

Importance of field delineation.• Hydrophytic vegetation• Hydric soils• Standing water

The riparian or aquatic corridor is comprised of the stream and its rights-of-way.

Healthy stream channels diverge, converge, and meander along the natural stream path. c. 1999, Center for Watershed Protection

What is a Watershed Management Plan ?

Monitor, assess, plan, & implement

• Identify all key stakeholders

• Create shared watershed vision and articulate desired outcomes; share with community at large

• Gather information and data

• Make recommendations

• Implement

• Monitor and evaluate

Stream Monitoring: Physical and Chemical

Physical Survey

Weather conditions

Water temperature

Water level

Water appearance & odor

Channel dimensions

Habitat quality

Human land uses

Chemical Survey

- Nitrate-Nitrogen levels - Orthophosphate levels - Dissolved Oxygen - E.coli levels

Biological: Benthic Macro Invertebratesprovide information on stream health over time

Protective Regulations and Practices

• Clean Water Act• NPDES / SPDES• Storm Water Regulations (MS4)• Water Quality Standards• NYS Stream Classification• NYS Freshwater Wetlands

(>14.5 acres)• Army Corps of Engineers

Wetlands Jurisdiction (>0.1 acre)• NYS DOS Coastal Consistency• Low Impact Development

Better Site DesignGreen Stormwater Infrastructure

• Watershed Planning

Acknowledgements

www.hbrw.org

www.dec.state.ny.uswww.dec.state.ny.us/website/hudson/hrep.html

www.usgs.gov

www.cwp.orgwww.osi.org

www.ucswcd.org

Hudson River Sloop Clearwaterwww.clearwater.org


Thank you!Thank you!For more info on the Hudson RiverFor more info on the Hudson River

www.clearwater.orgwww.clearwater.orgor contactor contact

Manna Jo Greene Manna Jo Greene 845-454-7673 x 113845-454-7673 x 113

[email protected]@clearwater.org

Calendar: [email protected]: [email protected]

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

“Sustainable development means meeting the needs of present generations without compromising those of the future."

~ U.N. Commission on Environment & Development, Our Common Future, 1987

Defining Sustainability - The Four E's of Sustainability are:1 - Environmental Protection2 - Economic Prosperity (based on quality of life)3 - Social Equity4 - Effective Communication

HV Smart Growth Alliance* US Green Building Council – HV Chapter* Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities* LEED Certification; Living Bldg Challenge* Sustainable Agriculture; I.P.M.; Permaculture * Transition Movement* Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan, June 2013

The Natural Step

Four Conditions of Sustainability

• What we TAKE from the Earth: Minerals and fossil fuels - Substances from the Earth's crust must not systematically increase in the biosphere. This means fossil fuels, metals and other minerals must not be extracted at a faster rate than their redeposit and reintegration into the Earth's crust.

• What we MAKE: Pesticides and toxic materials - Substances produced by society must not systematically increase in nature. This means substances must not be produced faster than they can be broken down and reintegrated into natural cycles.

• What we do to the Earth (BREAK): Protecting intact ecosystems and species biodiversity - The physical basis for the productivity and diversity of nature must not be systematically deteriorated. This means the productive surfaces of nature must not be diminished in quality or quantity, and we must not harvest more from nature than can be recreated and renewed.

• How we use resources and meet basic needs (FAKE): There must be just and efficient use of resources with respect to meeting the needs of all people. This means that basic human needs should be met with the most resource efficient methods possible.

Alliance for Sustainability www.mtn.org/iasa The Natural Step www.naturalstep.org

Dr. Karl Henrik RobertDr. Karl Henrik Robert

Collaborative Land Use Planning

CLUP has these benefits:

• Community led and designed to enhance surrounding neighborhoods and region.

• Includes community-enhancing features (recreation, green space, walkability, traffic reduction, emergency services), which improve proposed projects.

• Valuable ecologically sensitive areas are protected and preserved.

• Neighborhoods gain an improved sense of safety and community. • No outside facilitator is necessary.

• The permitting process becomes less conflicted or oppositional, more efficient, and result in less litigation.

• CLUP information is available free, specifically designed to help a neighborhood group set up and run the collaborative planning process.

Founder: Karl Kehde, Smarter Land Use Project www.landuse.org

Environmental Justice (“EJ”) Movement: Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Father of Environmental Justice• 1970’s: Environmental Sociologist; identified systematic patterns of

environmental injustice in the siting of garbage dumps in black neighborhoods.

• 1994: Helped President Clinton draft an Executive Order mandating the consideration of EJ in federal programs. Now Director of the Environmental Justice Research Center at Clark Atlanta University, author of 12 books on environmental justice; recent focus on Hurricane Katrina aftermath.

Hazel Johnson, Mother of Environmental Justice, as designated at First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit.• 1982: Founded People for Community Recovery on Southside of Chicago to increase awareness that dangerous pollutants, such as lead, were disproportionately higher in her community; worked to remove asbestos contamination from the community’s schools.• Garnered national attention to the issue of environmental racism, testifying before Congress, hosting conferences and “toxic tours” of her community.

• The Environmental Justice movement seeks to not only combat environmental racism and redistribute environmental resources to all people, but also to promote “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." ~ EPA Office of Environmental Justice , 1992

Transition Movement:Engaging the Community is at the Core of Transition

Purpose: To create locally self-reliant, resilient communities in the face of climate change, peak oil and economic instability.

Transition Training 2007

To Meet Essential Needs:

• Food

• Water

• Shelter

• Energy

Stakeholder-inclusive

Collaborative

Sustainable solutions

Stream Monitoring

• Physical• Chemical• Biological

Tier 1 : Introductory Investigation Primarily for educational purposes, providing a general awareness of river water quality.

Tier 2 : Preliminary Assessment Water quality problems require verification for inclusion in DEC’s Priority Waterbody List.

Tier 3 : In Depth Assessment Water quality problems incorporated into DEC’s Priority Waterbody List depending on the level of QA/QC employed.

This figure illustrates how upstream

development can widen & lengthen

the floodplain limit.

Upstream impervious surface = Downstream troubles

EVACUATION IMPOSSIBLE

“Peak Injury” Zone:

Nearly 20 million people live within 50 miles of Indian Point

“Peak Fatality” Zone:

17.5 mile radius

Emergency Evacuation Zone:

Before Witt Report: : 10 miles

Now: 2 mile radius, or “shelter in place”

“Opponents maintain that already-congested roads and bridges would make it impossible to evacuate the 305,000 people living within a federally mandated 10-mile evacuation zone, let alone people living as far away as New York City, which they believe could be jeopardized by a large radiation leak. Panic, they contend, would force people to flee willy-nilly, clogging roads and disrupting emergency workers. FEMA officials countered yesterday that they never expected all 305,000 people in the 10-mile zone to be evacuated in an emergency. Instead, they said, in a major leak everyone within a two-mile radius would be evacuated, and then a more limited evacuation of people in a narrow corridor downwind from the radiation could be evacuated or ordered to ‘shelter in place’ by staying put and closing windows and ventilation systems.”

~ NYT 7/26/03

Map of Westchester and Rockland Counties showing location of United Water of NY’s proposed desalination plant for Rockland County.

Courtesy of NYS DEC Office of Environmental Justice.

• Located 3.5 miles southwest of Indian Point, which is leaking radioactive water into Hudson River; isotopes include Sr-90, Cs-137 and tritium (tritiated water).

• Now a potential source of drinking water for Rockland County.

• Will take 10 M gpd to produce 7.5 M gpd of potable water, using reverse osmosis (RO).

• Desalination is highly energy-intensive.

• NYS DEC is lead agency in SEQRA process; positive declaration filed.

• Note proximity of Indian Point and the proposed desal plant to Potential Environ- mental Justice Areas (PEJA), in purple.

Peak OilPeak Oil

2008

Energy Efficiency and ConservationEnergy Efficiency and Conservation

Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy

Wind Power

Solar: Photovoltaics (“PV”) & Solar Thermal (hot water)

TidalTidal

Enhanced Geothermal

Systems (EGS):

Hot Rock or Deep Well

Geothermal >

reskilling - watershed awareness, manna jo greene

Education

hudson river watershed

hudson river basin

hudson river ecosystem

stores water ground

highquality water

great hudson river revival

upper hudson

surface water aquifer