Despite Industrial Past, Kingston Waterfront Has Rich Ecological Resources

Nesting pair of federally protected bald eagles could be threatened by proposed development

(KINGSTON ) - The Kingston waterfront site being considered for a 2,182-unit residential development with additional commercial construction is home to numerous animal and plant species that are either endangered or rare. The parcel also boasts large sections of mature forested areas, significant wetlands as well as river vegetation, which supports fish and waterfowl. The Friends of Kingston Waterfront (FoKW) coalition will brief the City of Kingston Planning Board on these issues during the Wednesday, Dec. 14, final public hearing on the proposed project. The coalition also plans to ask the planning board to revise developer AVR Realty's site plan to protect critical habitat while allowing development in less sensitive areas.

The eight local and regional groups that comprise FoKW engaged staff experts and outside consultants to complete a biological assessment of the proposed development site. This year-long research effort used methods promoted by leading scientific organizations such as Hudsonia and the New York State Natural Heritage Program.

The coalition said its research conclusions are clear: Although the property has been scarred by past industrial uses, it still offers forests, wetlands and sensitive ridges, as well as plants and animals that must be protected. FoKW is submitting a copy of its report to the City of Kingston Planning Board and will request that these natural treasures be preserved for the benefit of residents and the project's long-term success.

"Some have suggested that this land has little or no ecological value. Our field investigations prove that's not the case," said Jeanne Gural, habitat restoration specialist with Scenic Hudson. "This is about more than caring for animals and plants. Healthy ecosystems make for healthy people and help contribute to the uniqueness of living in the Hudson Valley. Treating these biological resources properly is very important to the continued revitalization of Kingston's Rondout and Hudson River waterfront."

"The pair of bald eagles nesting on the shore directly opposite the proposed development site obviously are a big deal, and they deserve strong consideration as this project is reviewed. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has expressed concern about possible negative impacts to this nesting pair from the proposed AVR project," added Ms. Gural.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also has concerns about the potential of federally listed Indiana bats and/or their habitat occurring on the site. The agency has requested species-specific surveys be conducted to determine the presence or absence of the bats and their over-wintering or summer roosting sites, and FoKW supports this request as part of a thorough investigation of natural resources.

In addition to sharing this natural resource information with the city planning board, FoKW is making it available to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of State and other relevant agencies. The developer is proposing to set aside a portion of the site as natural areas, and there are some differences in those areas and what FoKW would like to see preserved to maximize the habitat and natural resource values of the waterfront property. This new data also will inform an alternative plan that FoKW will propose to the planning board before the public comment period closes on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

"Preserving critical environmental resources and assuring public access along the river will enhance property values, enrich quality of life for the people living on the site and in the surrounding neighborhoods, and make this project more of an attraction for visitors from other areas to enjoy and learn from," said Gregg Swanzey, executive director for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

"All over the country, communities are moving forward with developments that both protect natural resources and enhance residential and business capacity. The Hudson Valley is an area poised to achieve real progress and balance between economic and environmental objectives. We can have an outstanding quality of life and a clean, healthy environment if we make this a key objective of economic development," said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson.

Special natural characteristics of the property
* Approximately 106 acres of healthy, mature forest and approximately 132 acres of secondary forest.
* Nearly 37 acres of diverse wetlands include areas that support wildlife.
* Submerged aquatic vegetation in the Hudson adjacent to the site provides a functioning nursery for several native fish species and offer habitat for water fowl.
* Turtles and other wildlife rely on the property for nesting and food foraging.

Rare and endangered species
According to the New York State Natural Heritage Program, several federal- and state-listed species occur either on or directly adjacent to the Tilcon property, including:
* Endangered - federal list shortnose sturgeon (off shore)
* Threatened - federal list bald eagle (active nest listed directly across river from site)
* Species of concern - federal list southern estuarine beggar-ticks
* Special concern animals - state list least bittern
* Rare plants - state list spongy arrowhead smooth bur-marigold
* Threatened plants - state list swamp cottonwood Davis' sedge
* Endangered plants - state list Frank's sedge

"We are especially concerned about the presence of karst limestone on the ridge and sensitive wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation beds along the shoreline," noted Manna Jo Greene, environmental director for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. "The rich aquatic vegetation beds at the site and in the nearby shallows at Kingston Flats provide large amounts of oxygen to the river ecosystem and are important spawning grounds for American shad. Beyond the potential ecological impacts, the stability of construction over karst geology found on the ridge is questionable, and the need to protect the quality of the huge karst aquifer located beneath the Delaware Forest for possible future use is essential."

"Progressive cities are figuring out that natural assets are as critical to economic success as cultural and financial ones are. Kingston has the opportunity to make conscious design decisions that will create a livable city for people while preserving this very distinctive environment," stated Melissa Everett, executive director of Sustainable Hudson Valley.

"Because of limited public access over many years, people don't realize what great natural space potential the Tilcon/AVR property has. These north/south ridges not only provide spectacular views in a zone of natural forest reclamation, which will continue to improve, providing increasingly rich habitat for an ever-expanding diverse base of indigenous species of flora and fauna," said Avery Smith, president of Friends of Historic Kingston. He added, "Juxtaposed to the Hudson's banks and shoreline, the entire property constitutes a rare and rapidly vanishing opportunity within Kingston to incorporate unique natural areas, trails and waterfront access for public enjoyment."

About FoKW
FoKW was formed in spring 2005. The coalition is focused on ensuring resident participation in creating a Kingston waterfront that protects the Hudson River Valley's cherished history, culture, beauty and economic well-being. Its member organizations want to ensure that Kingston does not see its waterfront become a burden when the opportunity exists to create powerful benefits for a diverse population.

FoKW has created an informational Web site about the Kingston waterfront, www.FriendsofKingstonWaterfront.org.

Friends of Kingston Waterfront comprises Friends of Historic Kingston, Friends of Rondout, Hudson River Heritage, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, Sierra Club and Sustainable Hudson Valley.