ALBANY- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released its Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2026-2030, a five-year plan outlining priorities to protect and restore the Hudson River estuary and its watershed.
The updated blueprint builds on previous conservation efforts and includes eight priority goals designed to strengthen the estuary’s ecosystem while improving benefits for communities throughout the Hudson Valley. The plan also places a renewed focus on environmental justice, equity, inclusion, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities.
“The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2026-2030 represents New York’s commitment to protecting the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed for present and future generations,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “This Action Agenda establishes 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.”
Among the plan’s priorities are protecting fish populations and river habitats, maintaining clean water for recreation and drinking, supporting climate-resilient communities, conserving important natural areas, and expanding public access and educational opportunities along the Hudson River.
Originally established in 1987, the Hudson River Estuary Management Program coordinates conservation efforts through four DEC programs, including the Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The initiative is supported by New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, which received a record $450 million in the 2026-27 state budget through a combination of Environmental Protection Fund appropriations and the Sustainable Future Program.
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