DEC Releases Draft 2026-2030 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda

Public Comment Accepted through Aug. 11, 2025

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of the Draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2026-2030, a five-year blueprint for conserving and restoring the Hudson River estuary and its watershed. Public comment on the draft plan is being accepted through Aug. 11, 2025.

"The Hudson River estuary represents one of New York's most precious natural resources, serving as a cornerstone of the region's $4.7 billion tourism economy, while providing habitat for more than 180 rare or imperiled species," said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. "Through DEC's partnership with stakeholders and organizations throughout the Hudson Valley, the draft Action Agenda establishes eight priority goals that address complex environmental challenges including climate change, while ensuring that communities throughout the Hudson Valley have clean water, resilient shorelines, and equitable access to the river. DEC is committed to protecting and restoring this vital ecosystem and encourages all stakeholders to review and comment on this draft plan."

The Action Agenda is updated every five years to address current trends and opportunities. The 2026-2030 plan builds on the successes of the previous Action Agenda while incorporating new scientific findings and data and addressing emerging challenges. The eight priority goals focus on creating a strong and vibrant ecosystem that benefit both nature and people, with special emphasis on environmental justice, equity, and inclusion, as well as meaningful engagement with Indigenous Nations.

Highlights of the 2026-2030 Action Agenda include:

• Vital River Ecosystem: Strategies to ensure robust fish populations, protect river habitats, and maintain clean water suitable for swimming, recreation, and drinking water.
• Thriving and Resilient Watershed: Actions to maintain healthy tributaries, support climate-adaptive communities, and conserve priority natural areas.
• Living Well with Nature: Programs to inform and engage the public and ensure accessible Hudson River experiences for all people.

The Action Agenda sets objectives that can be achieved through collective action and collaboration among government and nongovernmental partners. It includes specific, measurable outcomes that are achievable by 2030 and identifies strategies for State agencies and partners to implement between 2026 and 2030.

The Hudson River Estuary Management Program, created in 1987, helps protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the Hudson River estuary and its watershed, and encompasses four DEC programs that work collaboratively to implement the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda:

• The Hudson River Estuary Program
• The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR)
• The Hudson and Delaware Marine Fisheries Unit
• The Marine Habitat Program of DEC's Division of Marine Resources

Implementation of the Hudson River Estuary Management Program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and carried out through grants, restoration projects, education, research, training, and community planning assistance, is coordination with State and federal agencies, and public-private partnerships. The 2025-26 enacted State Budget increases the EPF to a record $425 million. The EPF provides funding for critical environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water quality improvement, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

The Draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2026-2030 is available on DEC's Hudson River Estuary Management Program website. Public comments are accepted through Aug. 11, 2025. Comments can be emailed with "Action Agenda" in the subject line to [email protected]. Comments can also be mailed to: Hudson River Estuary Program, NYSDEC Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, New York 12561.