The Hudson Valley is being transformed by sprawl at an alarming rate. Sprawl is haphazard, auto-oriented development characterized by strip malls outside of existing downtown centers and large subdivisions in formerly rural areas. By hiding behind a deceptive veil of economic growth, irresponsible development is polluting our drinking water, disrupting local economies, and undermining civic life. The New York State Hudson Valley Greenway cites sprawl as the main threat to natural resources in the Hudson River Valley. On a daily basis, citizens are learning how sprawl adversely impacts their lives.

In order to ensure the vitality of our existing towns, our local and state leaders need to realize that these trends can be halted. Poorly planned growth is not preordained. The solution to economic decline in city and town centers is not subsidized expansion into undeveloped areas. Instead of turning our backs on town centers and shamelessly hacking away at the natural landscape, we must reinvest in existing communities and recognize the value of natural spaces. There is a broad base of citizen support for better planning and environmental protection. The tools are present to halt the escalation of this problem before we allow unrestrained development to ruin our drinking water supply, empty our town centers, and deplete the region of its unique character.

In 2005, Riverkeeper's watershed team is meeting with citizens and officials to develop local, state, and federal solutions to sprawl. Check back often for more information.