2014-1292014-129
Resolution Endorsing New York Senate Bill No. 5408-A And Assembly Bill No. 8315 To
Designate Wappinger Creek As An Inland Waterway
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on April 14,
2014.
The meeting was called to order by Barbara Gutzler, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor
Councilmembers
ABSENT:
Barbara Gutzler
William H. Beale
Vincent F. Bettina
Ismay Czarniecki
Michael Kuzmicz
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Beale and seconded by
Councilman Bettina.
WHEREAS, the Wappinger Creek is one of five major tributaries to the lower Hudson
River and drains a watershed of approximately 211 square miles (134,871 acres) of land
traversing 11 towns and 2 villages within Dutchess County. Originating in wetlands and lakes in
the Town of Pine Plains, the watershed spans thirty eight miles and enters the Hudson River at
the border of the Towns of Poughkeepsie and Wappinger.
WHEREAS, Wappinger Creek runs through Town of Wappinger and is critical to the
local economic and environmental future.
WHEREAS, Wappinger Creek plays a central role in our local ecosystem impacting
groundwater quality, biodiversity, and recreation.
WHEREAS, past disturbances to the creek such as dredging, road and railroad crossings
and low density residential development have caused a decline in water quality and habitat
diversity.
WHEREAS, upstream development and pollutants introduced in the upper creek have
led to contamination of the public water supply wells in the lower watershed, and has led to the
Wappinger Lake being listed on the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation's Priority Waterbody List as it no longer meets it's intended uses due to pollution.
WHEREAS, the state legislature has introduced legislation in the form of S. 5408-A by
Senator Terry Gipson and Assembly Bill A.8315 by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett that proposes
to designate Wappinger Creek as an inland waterway.
WHEREAS, this legislation would allow many communities in Dutchess County to take
advantage of federal funds to protect this body of water and would increase eligibility for
technical assistance under the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), administered.
by the Division of Coastal Resources under the New York Department of State.
WHEREAS, designating the Wappinger Creek watershed as an inland waterway would
make all of the aforementioned communities eligible for the grant funding necessary for
planning, design, feasibility studies, and construction projects as well as implementation of local
LWRPs.
WHEREAS, passage of this bill would allow us to apply for federal funds to invest in
environmental infrastructure projects that will create jobs and improve the quality of our water;
and, now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Wappinger requests that the members of the New York
State Senate and Assembly support and facilitate the ratification of Senate Bill 4850-A and
A.8315, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Senator Gipson, Senator Skelos,
Senator Klein, Senator Stewart-Cousins, Senator DeFrancisco, Senator Ball, Assemblymember
Barret, Assemblymember Silver, Assemblymember Cahill Assemblymember Lalor and
Assemblymember Skartados.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
BARBARA GUTZLER, SUPERVISOR Voting: AYE
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN Voting: AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN Voting: AYE
ISMAY CZARNIECKI, COUNCILWOMAN Voting: AYE
MICHAEL KUZMICZ, COUNCILMAN Voting: AYE
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
4/14/2014
The Resolution is herebyduly declared adopted.
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, TOWN CLERK