State environmental officials on Monday released their five-year blueprint for the Hudson River, seeing to protect clean water, protect fish and wildlife habitats, address the impacts of climate change, and promote Hudson River recreation.

DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis says more toxics must be kept out of the river, and that infrastructure should be upgraded.According to the Kingston Daily Freeman, the draft Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2010-2014 was significantly updated in response to public comments on an earlier iteration, which began with the Hudson River Summit held at West Point in June 2009

The agenda is part of the Hudson River Estuary Program, whose goal is to protect and restore the estuary's natural resources and water quality. It emphasizes upgrading water infrastructure, updating education programs, and increasing "citizen stewardship" efforts.

Among the highlights of the 61-page agenda are programs to address:

• Climate change and flooding impacts
• Management of state owned land in view of the Hudson
• River access facilities for underserved communities
• Incorporation of urban-greening and smart-growth principles in revitalization plans
• Management of river sediment.
• Programs targeted at Ulster County, the City and town of Poughkeepsie, the city of Kingston, the village of Athens and the town of Lloyd.

Written comments on the draft may be submitted to the DEC until Feb. 22 (instructions appear at the bottom of this link). A final version of the Action Agenda is targeted for release in April 2010.