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Governor Hochul Awards $1.8 Million in Grants, 2 Projects in Rockland County

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2 years ago

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul announced grant awards totaling more than $1.8 million for 26 projects to help communities along the Hudson River Estuary improve water quality, enhance environmental education and advance stewardship of natural resources. The grants, which include two projects in Rockland County, complement the Governor’s comprehensive plan to protect communities from the impacts of climate change by investing in resilience.

“New York State is investing in projects that will improve resiliency and protect our natural resources both in the Hudson River Valley and across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “These 26 local grants will provide dozens of communities support to improve recreation, expand river access and education, and preserve and protect this iconic river for future generations of New Yorkers.”

Two Projects in Rockland County

– The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York: $75,245 for “Hudson River Education: Extending the Pathway into Climate,” a project that supports summer high school interns in Rockland County Potential Environmental Justice Area communities to deepen their science connection as they work on climate change impacts on the Hudson River. 

– Village of Nyack: $17,000 for “Nyack Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan,” to conduct a vulnerability assessment and create an adaptation plan for Nyack residents and businesses that will address climate change hazards. The assessment will include frequency and duration of heat waves, increasing intensity of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, storm surge, and climate change-related disease. 

Now in its 21st year, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025. To date, DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program awarded 643 grants totaling more than $28 million. Funding for DEC’s Estuary Grants program is provided by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Governor Hochul’s proposed 2024-25 Executive Budget maintains EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program’s history. 

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s sustained efforts to bolster community resiliency to climate change’s impacts, $1.8 million in grants awarded today for 26 projects will help Hudson River Valley communities develop plans to both protect residents and natural resources from severe weather driven by climate change while strengthening ecosystems. These grants build upon local conservation efforts and priorities to sustainably improve water quality and protect the Hudson River.”

Photo by Rockland County Photographer Owey Cramsie Jr.

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West Point Memorial Monument Unveiled at La Fière Bridge Honors WWII Leaders

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10 hours ago

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June 10, 2026

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A new West Point Memorial Monument was unveiled on June 4, 2026, at La Fière Bridge in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, as part of the 82nd Anniversary commemoration of D-Day.

The monument honors more than 150 graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point’s Long Gray Line who led and fought during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy that began on June 6, 1944.

Among the most notable West Point graduates associated with the Normandy campaign are General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force; Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, who commanded U.S. ground forces on D-Day; Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, who led VII Corps during the assault on Utah Beach; and Major General Maxwell D. Taylor, who commanded the 101st Airborne Division during the airborne operations preceding the landings. These leaders played pivotal roles in planning and executing the operation that helped turn the tide of World War II in Europe.

Situated near the historic La Fière Bridge, a strategic objective during the Normandy campaign and the site of intense fighting following the airborne landings, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the courage, leadership, and sacrifice of West Point graduates who served during the liberation of Europe.

The bridge itself was a critical objective for Allied airborne forces, particularly elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, who fought to secure crossings and protect the inland advance from Utah Beach. The surrounding area remains one of the most studied and visited battlefields of the Normandy campaign.

The unveiling ceremony brought together military leaders, dignitaries, historians, veterans, and members of the public to honor the legacy of those who fought during D-Day and the broader Normandy campaign. The monument serves as a permanent reminder of the contributions made by generations of West Point graduates in defense of freedom during World War II.

Photo: Samantha Sergi

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Government

Rockland County Promotes Native Plants and Water-Smart Landscaping

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1 week ago

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June 3, 2026

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The Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to embrace water-smart landscaping practices that conserve water and support environmental health.

Officials recommend reducing nonfunctional lawn areas and replacing them with native plants, drought-tolerant landscaping, rain gardens, bioswales, and rain barrels. These practices help reduce water consumption, manage stormwater runoff, improve groundwater recharge, and increase resilience to climate change.

According to the Council, water demand in Rockland County rises from an average of 30 million gallons per day to as much as 45 million gallons per day during the warmer months, placing additional strain on local water supplies.

Residents are encouraged to consider native plants such as Creeping Phlox, Foamflower ‘Elizabeth Oliver,’ and Jacob’s Ladder, which require less watering once established and are well-suited to local conditions.

Examples of successful rain gardens featuring native plants can be found at Orangeburg Library, Bowline Point Park, Kennedy Dells County Park, and Piermont Library.

By replacing sections of lawn with native plants and incorporating features that manage rainwater naturally, residents can play a direct role in protecting Rockland County’s water resources.

The initiative is part of the county’s ongoing effort to promote sustainable landscaping and encourage participation in the national “Less Lawn More Life” movement.

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