Riverkeeper responds to Governor's proposed environmental agenda
January 15, 2025
Riverkeeper Team
Riverkeeper responds to Governor Hochul’s proposed environmental agenda in her State of the State address this week. Several proposals hold great promise for advancing environmental resilience, public health, and community well-being. However, we share our colleagues’ disappointment in the delay of “cap and invest” for carbon pollution and note our concern with exempting new housing developments from current environmental review procedures.
Below is our response to key elements of the Governor’s plan:
Support for recreation, resiliency, and environmental protection
- Water infrastructure investments: Governor Hochul’s proposed $500 million investment in water infrastructure is a strong opening bid in state budget negotiations and we are thankful to the Governor for this commitment. However, we encourage legislative leaders to increase water funding to $600 million annually to ensure the fund is adjusted for pandemic-related cost increases and to ensure critical projects receive funding.
- NY SWIMS expansion: The expansion of the successful NY SWIMS initiative is an encouraging development. Providing grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for swimming infrastructure will broaden access to recreational opportunities and help create healthier, more connected communities. We continue to advocate for a greater emphasis on beaches and riverpools to encourage connection with New York’s beautiful waterways like the Hudson.
- Climate resiliency initiatives: We strongly support the Green Resiliency Grant program. This program empowers communities to adapt to the impacts of severe weather and climate change through innovative stormwater management and nature-based solutions. The emphasis on coastal resiliency and living shorelines is also vital for protecting New York’s vulnerable waterfronts and ecosystems.
- State Superfund reauthorization: The reauthorization and modernization of the State Superfund Program could be an important step to address PFAS contaminated sites, and we are eager to review the details in next week’s budget proposal. Prioritizing cleanups in disadvantaged communities is an extremely important goal and we commend the Governor for acknowledging that many vulnerable populations face higher pollution burdens, particularly with PFAS pollution.
- Make open space accessible for all: Riverkeeper supports the impetus behind giving the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation authority to acquire conservation easements independently and to streamline the ability for conservation organizations to acquire property. This authority could become a critical tool in the state’s toolbox to supercharge drinking water source protection through ensuring high quality headwaters and protecting reservoirs for downstream communities that rely on them. Like many of the proposals, our support will depend on the specific wording included in the executive budget.
Concerns with streamlined environmental review for housing development
While we recognize the critical need to address New York’s housing crisis, we are eager to see the details about the proposed streamlining of environmental review for “modest housing” developments. Designating certain multi-family housing projects as ‘Type II’ could lead to unintended consequences, including inadequate assessment of environmental and adverse community impacts. Expedited development should not come at the expense of environmental safeguards or community input. Riverkeeper looks forward to reviewing the regulatory proposal and offering our comments.
Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River, and safeguards drinking water supplies through community partnerships, science, and law. Our core programs improve water quality, restore habitat for an abundance of life, and address the impact of climate change on our waterways. Founded in 1966 as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, Riverkeeper became the model for more than 320 Waterkeeper organizations around the world and helped establish globally-recognized standards for waterway and watershed protection. We continue to work toward the goal of a swimmable, fishable, and drinkable Hudson River for all. Learn more, get updates, and support our work by visiting riverkeeper.org.
Related campaigns
Swimming and public access
Working to make it safe and free for everyone to swim in the Hudson
Protecting and restoring habitats
The Hudson River watershed is home to a breathtaking diversity of life. Protecting and restoring our aquatic habitats is critical for their renewal and for a healthy future for all life in the watershed
Sewer and stormwater pollution
Working to keep sewage and street pollution out of our waterways
