Volunteers Ready to Take Over Great River Sweep

Group provides DIY guide so volunteers can continue adopting shorelines and also plans April event to acknowledge Sweepers

(HUDSON VALLEY) - Scenic Hudson's Great River Sweep will turn 10 this April. The environmental group that started the spring cleanup of the river s shores and tributaries says the inspiration and organization it provided are no longer needed and that the event's volunteer coordinators will continue the project's award-winning achievements. Scenic Hudson said turning the event over to volunteers -- as it has always intended -- will enable it to focus on two imperatives facing the river at this time -- saving unique places along the shore before they are gone and ensuring that major developments don't cut people off from the river.

SCENIC HUDSON CLEANUP CELEBRATION PLANNED To mark the milestone of the Sweep turning 10 and flying on its own, Scenic Hudson will organize a cleanup in April at its Beacon waterfront property. Besides cleaning up the area, the event will be a chance for Scenic Hudson to thank Sweep coordinators and share news on a stunning waterfront park and unique development Scenic Hudson plans for the site. At the 25-acre property, Scenic Hudson and a development partner will build the country's first "green" hotel and conference center with restaurants and other exciting public amenities. The project will serve as a model for smart, environmentally sound development.

DECADE OF SHARED SUCCESS During the nine years of the Great River Sweep, Scenic Hudson and an army of volunteers who managed or participated in cleanups accomplished great things. In total more than 400 tons of riverside trash has been removed, and last year alone the effort engaged 7,000 volunteers in more than 100 communities from Manhattan to the Adirondacks. Perhaps the best news from the Sweep was that volunteers reported that through the attention they showed, many longtime dumping grounds ceased to exist. Also neighbors came together to do cleanups outside the Great River Sweep's nine days during April each year. Scenic Hudson always planned that the event eventually would be taken over by a completely volunteer force.

"Turning over the helm of the Sweep was not an easy decision, but it's clearly the right one," said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson. "We're providing a proven tool kit that will enable Sweepers to continue running their own cleanups. We also are issuing a new call for volunteers to help us battle sprawling overdevelopment that threatens our waterfronts as never before and to join Scenic Hudson in introducing many more people to marvels of the Hudson River and to helping care for its irreplaceable shoreline."

SWEEPER SAYS THEY'RE READY IN PUTNAM COUNTY "I'm grateful for Scenic Hudson's role in leading the Great River Sweep. They empowered a generation of river lovers to adopt their local waterfront. And, I'm glad to know their DIY kit will be available to train future cleanup coordinators. In Putnam County, we're organized and ready to take the concept of the Sweep and run with it locally," said Walt Thompson, director of Keep Putnam Beautiful and a nine-year Great River Sweep volunteer.

HIGH-STAKES TIME FOR VALLEY It's ironic that as the valley is gearing up to celebrate in 2009 the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage, the region faces immense challenges. Cherished for its scenic splendor and role in American history and culture, the Hudson Valley sees signs that uncontrolled growth could turn the iconic beauty to blight. Conservative estimates are that 75,000 new houses will be built in the region in the next decade -- 15,000 alone on the Hudson's shores.

"Left unchecked, this level of development will destroy our world-famous vistas, foul our drinking water, clog our roads and destroy family farms. It will take away the beauty and quality of life that are huge selling points to businesses that find the American landscape becoming a sea of cookie-cutter sameness," said Mr. Sullivan.

ELECTED OFFICIAL SIGNALS SUPPORT "Scenic Hudson has been on the forefront of environmental trends in the Hudson Valley. They organized the Sweep at a time when waterfront municipalities needed regional leadership, and now I applaud them for handing over the project to the volunteers themselves," said Marc Molinaro, outgoing Mayor of Tivoli and new member of the New York State Assembly, 103rd District.

DIY TOOL KIT AVAILABLE TO SWEEP COORDINATORS Scenic Hudson will make available a comprehensive package that will help experienced and novice cleanup organizers. There is a guide for picking a cleanup site and gaining necessary approvals, tips for coordinating a pickup of collected debris and more. Fill-in-the-blank press releases and e-mail marketing pieces offer aids for promoting a cleanup. There is even advice on how to seek donated cleanup supplies and refreshments.

The materials are available at www.scenichudson.org or by mail by calling 845 473 4440, ext. 265.