Over 30 years, general electric discharged polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs into it, sparking a second. Covering the full sweep of the hudsons natural history and human heritage, this book introduces readers to the rivers diversity of plants and wildlife, to the geological forces that created it, to the people who explored and settled its banks, to its enduring place in american history and art, and to the battles waged over its environmental preservation. A famous book amongst ecologists studying the hudson. Between 1947 and 1977, general electric dumped an estimated 1. T he oysters in the hudson river around the statue of liberty are some of the plumpest. The hudson river is a 315mile 507 km river in new york. The hudson river and pcb pollution the hudson river is a body of water that stretches for 315 miles from the adirondack mountains to the battery in manhattan, reaching its deepest point of 216 feet in the highlands near constitution island and west point and reaches its widest point of 3 miles. Oysters are making a comeback in the polluted waters around. The book discusses specific examples of river pollution from the great lakes region and provides an overview of riverine water quality throughout the country.
Other kinds of pollution, including mercury contamination and cities discharging untreated sewage, have also caused problems in the river. Hudson river parks shores have been witness to many significant historical occurrences. This book examines human effects on rivers throughout the continental united states, and includes an extensive discussion of diverse types, sources, and effects of river pollution. Between 1947 and 1977, general electric polluted the hudson river by discharging polychlorinated biphenyls, causing a range of harmful effects to wildlife and people who eat fish from the river or drink the water. Study of hudson river contamination serves as a cautionary. New yorks hudson river, once known as americas rhine in a nod to the famous european waterway, played a pivotal role in bolstering american power at the cost of decades of foul pollution. Limburg, karin, kathryn hattala, andrew kahnle, and john waldman. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Special 45m 42s the hudson river bore witness to the age of steamships, the hudson river school of painters, industrialization, pollution, and renewed. Jun 06, 2015 once feared, now celebrated, hudson river cleanup nears its end general electric is entering the final year of a billiondollar cleanup of pcbcontaminated water. The lower part of this river separates new york from new jersey and is sometimes called the north river. Hudson river pollutant, initially is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 2 times. The hudson river valley may be americas premier river environmental. Pollution in the river has included mercury contamination and sewage dumping, but the most discussed issue has been general electrics contamination of the river with polychlorinated biphenyls pcbs between 1947 and 1977.
Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Off manhattan, 150 million gallons of raw sewage entered the river daily until 1986, when the north river sewage treatment plant began operating. A synopsis of new york citys sewage treatment the hudson river was referred to as an open sewer throughout much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Human uses that changed the ecology, ecology that changed human uses. Marine biologists book recalls history of pollution in. The source of the pcb discharges was two ge capacitor manufacturing plants located in fort edward and hudson falls, new york, about 50 miles north of albany.
They would go out with their father and catch fish from the river, big. Presents an imaginary journey back in time to the birth of the hudson river and examines its history, pollution and cleanup, nearby native american and europea. Hudson river pollutant, initially crossword puzzle clue. Explore the hudson valleys rich history historic hudson. Not long ago, it was seriously threatened by pollution. The hudson river is a 315 mile river and flows from north to south through eastern new york. Paddle to fight pollution at the great wallkill river race. The hudson river remains contaminated with levels of pcbs that dont meet state and federal regulations and the river cleanup remains incomplete, according to. The hudson river pcb story a toxic heritage youtube. This succinct book gives an intimate view of the daytoday functioning of a remarkable river that has figured prominently in history and culturethe hudson, a main artery connecting new york, america, and the world. An illustrated childrens book captures the magic of the hudson river through the eyes of a young woman who paddles its length. The story of the hudson river talbott, hudson, talbott, hudson.
Visitors to the palisades enjoyed the hudson river as a site of. Among his books on the region is the hudson in the rivers of america series. Before and during the early colonization of america, a portion of what is now hudson river park served as a seasonal encampment for native americans and was known as sapohanikan. Remediating the hudson river pollution the earth times.
The city was still a manufacturing hub and the river, which empties into lake. The hudson river and pcb pollution essay many essays. History of the nyc water supply catskill watershed. In response to this contamination, activists protested in various ways. It had previously been observed by italian explorer giovanni da verrazzano sailing for king francis i of france in. The river is named after henry hudson, an englishman sailing for the dutch east india company, who explored it in 1609, and after whom canadas hudson bay is also named. Contaminated marine sediments assessment and remediation. The source of the hudson river is the poeticsounding lake tear of the clouds, in the adirondacks. Hudson river contamination sparks action hudson river. The author describes the hudson s pollution and its disastrouseffects, and strikes out. The lesson of the 24page study is that prevention is far better, and far cheaper, than cleanup. Lays out the reason why it was and remains important to remove 1. Environmental history of the hudson river nhbs academic. A brilliant recollection of the hudson river, its history, its tales, its biodiversity and its pollution.
The hudson is part of the erie canal from new york city to albany. Fitzgerald rivers of america collection library of congress this is a description of the hudson in its colorful aspects and phases from wilderness days to the present. Although polluted and extensively dammed for hydroelectric power, the river still contains a wealth of aquatic species, including massive sea sturgeon. Sep 12, 2019 the great wallkill river race and festival will make its debut in new paltz on saturday, september 14 rain date september 15. Now it is coming back to life as a waterway where fish and birds can thrive againa river valued once more by communities along its shores. The hudson river maritime museum in kingston features exhibits on this period of the river s history. An overview of the history american shad on the hudson river, from the natives use before european settlers came, through the beginning of. Here we are going to look at some hudson river facts for kids, and see what the history and importance of the river has been in the past as well as the present. Once feared, now celebrated, hudson river cleanup nears. The tape tells the story of pcb pollution in the hudson river, and what might be done to alleviate the problem.
Environmental history of the hudson river by robert e. The 315mile hudson river is steeped in american history. More about teaching about the hudson river estuary. Studies the history, characteristics, and natural wildlife of the h. Oysters are making a comeback in the polluted waters around new york city. Studies the history, characteristics, and natural wildlife of the hudson and the ways in which man has enriched or devastated the river. Hudson river river, new york, united states britannica. Floating screens were constructed at the beaches on coney island to protect. Hudson river simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Steamboats, including the 1898 steam tug mathilda are the major focus of this museum, which highlights their place in commerce, industry and leisure. Read the excerpt from the new york times 1884 article albanys dangerous basin.
A childrens book about the hudson river that appeals to adults. Though the cleanup has been slow, environmental advocacy groups have reached out to the general public on the condition of the river s pollution. Once feared, now celebrated, hudson river cleanup nears its end general electric is entering the final year of a billiondollar cleanup of pcbcontaminated water. The clearwater and the clearwater festival have worked to draw attention to the problem of pollution of the hudson river. It introduces you to the hudson s diversity of plants and wildlife, to the geological forces that created the river, to the people who explored and settled its banks, to the river s enduring place in american history and art, and to battles waged over its environmental preservation. A day in the life of the hudson and harbor at this annual event, thousands of students, teachers and education partners observe and sample the hudson river estuary on the same day, then share data online.
Through his investigative narrative, schuyler uncovers the role of this iconic american waterway in the emergence of modern environmentalism. The river also has a storied history of contamination. Hudson river sloop clearwater the clearwater story. For more information and to purchase the dvd visit. Hudson river students britannica kids homework help. Writing for a wide audience, david strayer distills the large body of scientific information about the river into a nontechnical overview of its ecology. Hudson river maritime museum 50 rondout landing kingston, ny 12401 8453380071 fax. We have all these 5k races, the turkey trot, bike races, says wallkill river watershed alliance volunteer martha cheo. In 1966, in despair over the pollution of his beloved hudson river, seeger announced plans to build a boat to save the river.
I found it unique because although from a good source and scientific, it flowed nicely and wasnt dry. May 14, 2018 david schuylers new book, embattled river. At the time, the hudson was rank with raw sewage, toxic chemicals and oil pollution. Runoff from farms and roads causes more contamination of the hudson river by such chemicals as lead and arsenic than do discharges from factories, according to a. The last public beach in palisades interstate park closed in 1943, in part due to pollution. Two hundred miles 322 km of the river was declared as a superfund site in 1984. The environment superfund was signed as early as 1980s as a way to reduce toxic waste pollution, and assign a polluter pays status to such.
Hudson river cleanup hudson river pcbs superfund site. The pollutants of the industrial revolution had brought the majestic. A brief history of the hudson river hudson, ny bed and. Science and policy for sustainable development 28 4. Hudson was looking for a passing to the asia when he discovered the river. In straightforward yet scientifically exacting terms, clearwater. Aug 26, 1987 runoff from farms and roads causes more contamination of the hudson river by such chemicals as lead and arsenic than do discharges from factories, according to a study to be released today by. Jul 10, 2015 ahead of the rail, river, hudson ii tour this coming weekend, we have a series of posts focusing on the hudson river this week as much as the hudson river has been revered and treasured by people over the years for its beauty and key role in our communities, its also suffered its share of adverse impacts during that history. Why is the cleanup of the upper hudson river needed. It guided henry hudson in search of a northwest passage and served commerce as a transportation route during the industrial revolution. Nov 07, 2018 pcb pollution may be reducing mink population november 7, 2018 american mink neovison vison populations along new yorks hudson river are declining, and researchers say it may be due to water pollution.
Volume 3 of genealogical and family history of southern new york. In 1972, the clean water act made cleanup a national priority, providing billions more. The diverse contributions to environmental history of the hudson river examine how the natural and physical attributes of the river have influenced human settlement and uses, and how human occupation has, in turn, affected the ecology and environmental health of the river. Hudson river cleanup hudson river pcbs superfund site us epa. The hudson originates in several small postglacial lakes in the adirondack mountains near. The unique environmental education program on board the sloop, clearwater, founded by folksinger pete seeger, has taught thousands of children and. Now 45 years after this book was written we have a hudson river which is not on a list of 100 most polluted rivers. Hudson river shows signs of rebound after decades as new. Hudson river is a 507 km long river which flow through eastern new york, it originates from lake tear of the clouds in the adirondack mountains, and drains into the atlantic ocean between new. Not long ago, it was deeply threatened by pollution. American shad fishing on the hudson river welcome to the. Hudson river park an urban waterfront retreat rich with history.
Hudson river pollutant, initially is a crossword puzzle clue. Hudson river valley notables such as andrew jackson downing and families with names such dewint, schoonmaker, bailey, and kinsley were among the many affected by the tragic circumstances. This book covers, the first time, the full sweep of the river s natural history and human heritage. Many noxious discharges have ceased, but leftovers from past pollution haunt the hudson, and new problems are becoming evident. The hudson river used to have a lot of pollution from industry, but it is becoming cleaner now. The story of the hudson river serves as a cautionary tale about preventing chemical pollution in our water before it reaches the crisis stage. The hudson river and pcb pollution the hudson river is a body of water that stretches for 315 miles from the adirondack mountains to the battery in manhattan, reaching its deepest point of 216 feet in the highlands near constitution island and west point and reaches its widest point of 3. Ge polluted drinking water supplies in hudson river towns. A hghly detailed and well researched history lesson of the full lenght of the hudson river, its contents, its polluters and of the fisherman who fought using existing laws to clean it up. History of metal pollution in foundry cove foundry cove is situated in the village of cold spring, in putnam county, ny, approximately 54 miles north of battery park, nyc fig 1. Theres also a display on hudson river lighthouses featuring the 1915 rondout ii lighthouse. The disaster, reported in the major newspapers of the day, drew national attention.
In 1524, the italian explorer giovanni da verrazano first entered the hudson but mistook it for an estuary. The hudson river valley may be americas premier river environmental laboratory, and by bringing. Concerns about the health of the hudson river were first raised in the 19th century, when people began to question the soundness of dumping raw sewage directly into the waterway. General electric company ge discharged as much as 1.
It flows almost entirely within the state, the exception being its final segment, where it forms the boundary between new york and new jersey for 21 miles 34 km. The hudson river is named for the european explorer henry hudson, who explored it in 1609. However, pollution of the river by industrial waste, raw sewage, and storm runoff has continued into the 21st century. Scenic hudson, hudson river sloop clearwater, hudson riverkeeper, and the natural resources defense council have continued to push for more action from general electric. Foundry cove is a well defined inlet of the hudson river. Hudson river pollutant, initially is a crossword puzzle clue that we. Now it is coming back to life, a river where fish and birds can thrive again, a river valued once more by communities along its shores. Running for 315 miles, it empties into lower new york bay and the atlantic ocean.
The hudson river is one of the great rivers of the world. Just the facts cleaning up hudson river pcbs download the brochure the facts. Runoff cited in pollution of the hudson the new york times. The hudson river has been a vital artery in new yorks history, an essential tool for travel and transport, survival and inspiration for generations of native americans, european settlers, british and american soldiers, and those who ultimately call it home. Patakis administration also took issue with the action, warning that it could interfere with other state actions against g. A record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth. The loss of this name is symptomatic of the loss of the regions native history. In 1966 a writer for sports illustrated, robert boyle, got together with a few fishermen in garrison new york and decided they had had enough of the industrial abuse of the hudson river. Now 45 years after this book was written we have a hudson river which is not on a list of 100 most polluted rivers in the united states. Three environmental issues facing the hudson river all over. Marine biologists book recalls history of pollution in new jersey.
Three environmental issues facing the hudson river all. Industry provided jobs, created communities, and brought economic growth to the region. Jul 02, 2012 for more than two decades, ge dumped an estimate 1. Between 1947 and 1977, general electric polluted the hudson river by discharging. Genealogical and family history of southern new york and the hudson river valley. The hudson and modern american environmentalism cornell university press, 2018 describes the efforts to reverse the pollution and bleak future of the hudson river that became evident in the 1950s. Two centuries of documenting the hudson river citylab. Canner observes the river from a vantage point at irvington. For 30 years ending in the late 1970s, the general electric company ge discharged as much as 1. The hudson river and pcb pollution essay 1524 words bartleby. Fact sheet 8 hudson river pcb pollution timeline 1865 first pcblike chemical discovered. Ahead of the rail, river, hudson ii tour this coming weekend, we have a series of posts focusing on the hudson river this week as much as the hudson river has been revered and treasured by people over the years for its beauty and key role in our communities, its also suffered its share of adverse impacts during that history. Melosi on henshaw, environmental history of the hudson river.