Sullivan, left, endorses Hinchey's initiative

KINGSTON - In a move supporters say could bring elevated national prestige and levels of federal funding to the region, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) Monday unveiled new legislation he's authored that would initiate the process for the Hudson River Valley special resources study by the National Park Service.

Hinchey's bill would authorize the NPS to conduct a study of the Hudson River Valley to determine if the area could benefit from NPS programs and to make recommendations to Congress on what further action should be taken.

Hinchey emphasized that what they envision would not affect private property, or the ability of counties and municipalities to continue to control their own planning and growth.  The legislation explicitly states that any future NPS designation must respect the rights of private land owners.  There would be no forced land acquisition activities permitted.

“We’re not creating a public national park, here, or anything like that,” he insisted.

“What we’re creating is an understanding, and recognition and enhanced responsibility of the federal government on the importance of the projects, and on buildings, and on the history of this region.”

Hinchey made the announcement, Monday, at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, on the Rondout waterfront, accompanied by museum officials and several government and private agencies, including the DEC and Scenic Hudson.

Ned Sullivan, executive director of Scenic Hudson, this is a very viable concept.  “This going to be collaboration between private interests, the public and not-for-profit sector.  When Scenic Hudson purchases land for protection, it’s from willing sellers.”

In order for the Hudson River Valley to become part of the National Park System, a congressionally-authorized NPS study must be conducted.  Hinchey's legislation would authorize such a study from Fort Edward in Washington County down through Westchester County.  The study would entail significant outreach to local communities and extensive research and cataloging of the region's resources.  If the NPS's study finds that the Hudson River Valley would be a good fit as part of the National Park System then subsequent legislation would be needed to make that designation.  Hinchey said he would immediately introduce the necessary legislation should the NPS's study deem the Hudson River Valley to be an appropriate addition to the National Park System.

While the NPS would have a lot of discretion during the study process, Hinchey's bill outlines specific guidelines to ensure that the study recognizes the realities of the Hudson River Valley.  These guidelines require the NPS to closely examine park unit models, in particular national river and recreation areas, as well as other landscape protection models, that: encompass large areas of non-federal lands within their designated boundaries; foster public and private collaborative arrangements for achieving NPS objectives, and protect and respect the rights of private land owners.

Designating the Hudson River Valley as a unit of the NPS, would dramatically increase the level of funding and attention that the NPS could invest in the region. Historic sites would be eligible for new aid, local communities would be able to work more effectively with the NPS to protect natural resources, and recreational resources, such as trails, would be enhanced.