The following article is from the June 2007 issue of

2009 will mark four hundred years since Henry Hudson first landed on New York soil. He could have never predicted that the Hudson and Champlain Valleys would become the hubs for growth and technology that they are today.

That is why in 2002, the state government passed The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentenial Act, which set up a commission (HFCQC) has been tasked to develop and promote activities to commemorate this historic event. Consisting of 21 voting members, the HFCQC is a public corporation whose task is the promotion and organization of the Quadricentennial. The aim of the commission is to highlight these singular achievements in New York State history and their significant contributions to national and global development.

Westchester County is coordinating its own efforts in participating in the Quadricentenial. Recently, NYLCV's Westchester Chapter sat down with Rob, the Legislative Assistant to the Chief Information Officer at the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). DoIT has been assigned by County Executive Spano to coordinate and plan for Westchester County government's part in the Hudson-Fulton Quadricentennial.

Westchester's DoIT approach is three-fold. First, the department must spread the word to county municipalities, community based organizations, businesses, schools, not-for-profits, etc. that the event is taking place and to start preparing activities in honor of the occasion. Secondly they will help coordinate planning between groups within Westchester County and between the County and New York State to produce a coherent and consistent celebration. Finally, they will propose a number of unique events and programs hosted or sponsored by Westchester County that would leave a lasting impression on our residents, especially children.

The county plans on including environmental components in their recommendations to the commission. According to Hoch, "Westchester County is planning to take a 400 year look-back at the environmental health of the Hudson River Valley; in essence using a special moment in time to take stock of where we have been and to chart where we are going when it comes to the environmental health of the Hudson River Valley." Also a part of the process will be the Westchester County Department of Planning, which has been at the lead of working with all Westchester communities toward sustainable growth, cleaner air and water, respect for the environment, and public accessibility to the Hudson River.

When Hoch was asked how he sees New Yorkers celebrating in 2109, he said, "I hope New Yorkers will look back on the journeys of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton, as well as the celebrations of 1909 and 2009, and evaluate whether their current quest for exploration and innovation was accomplished through respect for the environment, culture and history of the Hudson River Valley."

For more information about the Quadrecentenial celebration, visit http://www.exploreny400.com/.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- June 2007