Clean Air + Water Archives - Defend the Valley

Community Preservation Fund

CPFs allow certain Hudson Valley towns to set up funds to protect the land and historical buildings that maintain their unique identity. Find out if your town qualifies and how to get the support you need to make it happen.

ECO-LOGIC: Greening New York’s Budget

During the annual budgeting process in Albany, we make the case that investment in a clean, healthy environment is paramount to quality of life in New York.

New York Bond Act

The Bond Act, which was passed in November 2022, provides $4.2 billion for environmental and community projects across New York State.

River Access

On both shores of the Hudson, railroad tracks prevent communities from accessing their waterfronts and taking advantage of the river’s recreational, scenic, and economic potential. We must continue to protect and enhance river access for all.

Rockland Desalination Plant (Haverstraw)

Our six-year campaign to halt construction of an environmentally harmful desalination plant on Haverstraw Bay — site of some of the river’s most important aquatic habitats — ended in victory when plans to build the facility were dropped.

Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant (Buchanan)

Ending the harm it causes aquatic wildlife and public safety, New York State and plant owner Entergy agreed to close this outdated facility by 2021 — ending our decades-long campaign to shut it down.

St. Lawrence Cement Plant (Hudson)

Preserving air quality and iconic views from Olana, New York State rejected plans to erect this 20-building manufacturing complex resulting from our grassroots campaign to stop its construction.

Proposed Hudson River Anchorages

Preserving water quality and habitats, the U.S. Coast Guard abandoned plans for 10 new “parking lots” for 43 vessels carrying hazardous substances in 2016. A quiet rule change opened the Hudson River to unregulated anchoring again in the summer of 2023, but in response to overwhelming community outrage a temporary pause has been announced until the public can be heard on the issue.

Stop the Plant

Owners of the Danskammer power plant on the Hudson River in the Town of Newburgh want to replace the current facility — which operates only a few days a year — with a new gas plant that will run nearly all the time.

Restore the River

Making continued progress in this David vs. Goliath battle to restore the health and full economic potential of the valley’s most important natural resource depends on sustained citizen action.

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