News - Latest Developments

At the end of 2009, Riverkeeper launched its first-ever logo design contest in order to cast a wider net for a fresh, new perspective to symbolically represent the essence of who we are as an organization. We received nearly 500 entries, which were boiled down to a final few in a very close competition. The winning design was by Sabine Reichert, a Hastings-on-the-Hudson resident, whose image instantly captured the key elements of what we stand for in one succinct symbol. Sabine received her Masters in Illustration and Communication Design from the … Learn More

Riverkeeper applauds the House Committee on Natural Resources for voting Congressman Hinchey’s “Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act” out of committee, which clears the way for a full House vote on the legislation. The Act would fund a federal study to assess whether the Hudson Valley should be made a unit of the National Park Service in order to better preserve and promote the region’s outstanding natural, cultural, historic, recreational and scenic resources. Unlike a traditional National Park, this designation would be founded on close cooperation between … Learn More

Riverkeeper recently submitted comments to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in opposition of Executive Order 25, which grants almost unlimited power to a small group of political appointees led by Secretary to the Governor Larry Schwarz to remake the state's regulatory system to serve their own political interests. Learn More

In a major victory for American shad coast-wide, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has approved Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring. To protect coast-wide shad populations, shad fisheries will be closed except in states that demonstrate through research that their commercial and/or recreational fisheries will not diminish the potential future stock reproduction and recruitment. Amendment 3 will require all states to have management plans completed and approved by January 1, 2013, otherwise closures will be instituted on a state-by-state basis. Riverkeeper … Learn More

Dear Riverkeeper Friends, Later this year, after 10 wonderful years at the helm of Riverkeeper, I will be stepping down as Hudson Riverkeeper and president. To all of our members and donors, and my many colleagues in the New York environmental community, who together made possible Riverkeeper’s extraordinary growth and record of achievement, THANK YOU for your unfailing friendship and generous support. And thank you for entrusting me with the honor of leading one of the most effective environmental groups on the planet. Over the next few months, I will assist the … Learn More

As it appeared in the The Daily Star – Letters to the editor: February 13, 2010 Your Feb. 2 article “Drug dumping charges threaten loans” reported demands made by state and local politicians that orders against certain Delaware County health care facilities be nullified. These suggestions overlook the cooperative and commendable efforts of those facilities that reached agreements with the state. Those facilities that signed consent agreements with the state should be applauded for striving to be national leaders in the effort to curb the release of harmful pharmaceuticals into drinking water. … Learn More

Dear Indian Point Campaign supporter: I am writing to update you about another step Riverkeeper has taken in our fight to shut down the environmentally destructive, unsafe Indian Point nuclear power plant. As you know, Riverkeeper is currently fighting to prevent a license extension that would allow Indian Point to operate for an additional 20 years. To further support this work, last week, Riverkeeper submitted comments on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) proposal to “update” their environmental review procedures used during nuclear power plant license renewal proceedings, like … Learn More

This month, the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department (PDF 220 KB) handed down another victory for Riverkeeper in our decade-long battle to save Esopus Creek, a renowned trout stream in the heart of the Catskills. Since 2000, Riverkeeper, Catskill Mountains Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and other groups have fought New York City’s illegal discharges of mud and turbidity into the Esopus. As part of the New York City drinking water supply, the City has been operating the Shandaken Tunnel since 1924 in order to bring … Learn More

Riverkeeper kicked off the new year by submitting comments to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) supporting the closure of the Hudson River American shad fisheries and restrictions on American shad fishing in the Delaware River. Learn More