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The Wallkill River Boat Brigade Paddles Again

Blue Heron Photo CR Arthur

A Great Blue Heron flying over the Wallkill River. Photo: Arthur Cemelli
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Guest Blog by Brenda Bowers, Wallkill River Watershed Alliance

The Boat Brigade receives a briefing on the stretch of river to be patrolled.

The Boat Brigade receives a briefing on the stretch of river to be patrolled.

The Wallkill River Watershed Alliance’s Boat Brigade was back on the water for the third time Saturday, moving ahead in its newly launched mission. Each time the group meets, new people are exposed to simple ways they can monitor the river and learning who they can report problems to when they are found.

The Wallkill River Watershed Alliance Boat Brigade out on the water thanks to New Paltz Kayaking Tours who generously donated kayaks and canoes.

The Wallkill River Watershed Alliance Boat Brigade out on the water thanks to New Paltz Kayaking Tours who generously donated kayaks and canoes.

On a clear sunny Saturday morning, the Boat Brigade paddled north from the Town of Rosendale DEC boat launch to the bridge crossing 32 in Esopus. The group had a turnout of 11 concerned citizens who carefully observed the banks of the Wallkill, looking for unmapped discharges into the river and checking the known storm water drainage pipes from the water’s view.

The Brigade checks out several discharge pipes, including a sewage treatment outfall. Photo: Emily Vail

The Brigade checks out several discharge pipes, including a sewage treatment outfall. Photo: Emily Vail

The group found a construction site with a silt fence that appeared to be improperly installed. The site was recorded by volunteers taking photos and gathering coordinates so that the concern could be reported to both the Town of Rosendale and the DEC.

Photo: Emily Vail

Photo: Emily Vail

The group then turned their attention to making notes and observations of the permitted discharge pipes nearby. Riverkeeper has assisted the Boat Brigade by providing maps and information about the area that can be distributed to the participants.

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The day’s greatest success was in getting more people out on the Wallkill to see not only its challenges, but the natural beauty. People will want to protect this valuable resource when they have had the chance to visit the Blue Heron and watch as they take off in flight or see the fish jump out of the water right at the bow of their boat.

A Great Blue Heron flying over the Wallkill River. Photo: Arthur Cemelli

A Great Blue Heron flying over the Wallkill River. Photo: Arthur Cemelli

Join the next Boat Brigade on August 20th at 5pm leaving from the Sojourner Truth Park boat launch in New Paltz. Contact Brenda Bowers at [email protected] to get involved with the Wallkill River Watershed Alliance. (learn more here).

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