New York Governor Hochul has announced $1.8 million in grants for 26 Hudson River projects to benefit Hudson Valley communities. The Bard College Community Sciences Lab will partner with the Wallkill River Watershed Alliance, Hudson River Watershed Alliance, and Riverkeeper to develop a Watershed Characterization report and communication materials focused on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), an emerging water quality issue that can impact public health. This project will include (1) a public-facing HABs Watershed Characterization report for the Wallkill River, (2) a Wallkill River HABs Communications Toolkit for the Wallkill River Watershed Alliance to coordinate effective public communications about future HABs, and (3) a broader Water Issue Communications Framework for watershed groups or municipalities across the region to guide communications planning for HABs or other emergent and emergency conditions that affect public health. Funding for the grant award is provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program.
