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| Hudson River |
New York City just got an agreement from officials that said they can continue to buy land to protect their watersheds! They can by land to protect the Catskills and the Hudson River Valley from development and they got a permit stating they can continue to aquire the land for the next fifteen years. Environmental officials are very excited about this, as is the city and state officials because this saves them billions of dollars! This land-and-watershed protection effort enables New York to not have to filter their drinking water. The city already has 160,000 acres and the state owns 200,000 so together they have about 35% of the state's watersheds. The acres are expected to increase to 10,000 a year and the state has already spent 400 million dollars on the project and plans to invest 140 million dollars more. The agreement also includes over 100 million dollars to limit water pollution and repairing ceptic systems. Experts say this will provide over half the state with clean drinking water deep into the 21st century.
This article makes me really happy because it shows some people are trying to help and do something about the water problem. The fact that these people are trying to protect their environments and they understand the risks of destroying watersheds makes me want to do something. There are so many people involved in this agreement and it's also nice to see other people taking notice. This gives me hope that other cities and states will follow in New York's footsteps to preserve their watersheds because in doing so they are protecting all kinds of other species too. When I was reading this article I just remembered the activity in class with the fake town and all the pollutants running into that lake and I thought of how bad the Hudson River must be. It makes me glad people are trying to change their actions and turn it around.
Do you think New York could really change from the effects of this?
I agree with MaryKate that the city of New York is doing the right thing by protecting their watersheds. From what we learned in class about the impending water shortage problem, people really should trying as hard as they can to avoid intensifying the current situation.
ReplyDeleteAs for the wetlands themselves, New York should be extra proud because of their decision's additional effect of providing animals and plants with valuable habitats. As an example of humans giving back to their environment, this reminds me of the artificial reefs that are being built around the world as habitats for rare fish.
I think that other states will begin to follow New York's example when the effects of the water shortage start to be felt in this country, if not now under the pressure of environmentalists. Such decisions are important investments in the future of the world.
I agree with Marykate. New York made a very smart decision. I never thought about buying the watersheds for a way to make the water cleaner but its a very good idea. Now that New York has control over the watersheds, the water will be alot cleaner for the New York residents. Foreign countries are in short supply of water, so we have to do everything we can to prevent this from hapening to us. Also,the fishes in the watersheds will be alot safer now that the watersheds are being safely controled. New York will save alot of money. That money saved could be put towards helping foreign countries like africa with their water problem. I only hope that other cities will follow in New York's smart decision and gain control over their watersheds. Our environment can be alot cleaner.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this article, i kept remembering what we learned about watersheds. Like marykate said, the model lake was very dirty and polluted after it rain. When we put filters in the model though, the water got cleaner. New York doesn't even have to put filters in, they have control of what is in the watersheds. I remember when i went to New York City. The river was very dirty and digusting looking. Although i didnt relize it but the water i was drinking was probably polluted too. That will all change now that NY has control over the watershed.
I believe New York will change from the affects of this decision. If we dont have control over our watersheds then they are open to anyone like factories that will pollute them. By buying the watersheds, New York now will not face the problem of company's polluting in the water. I think the water in New York will be alot cleaner and safer now also. Less pollutants means safer water. New York can be alot cleaner now. Overall it was a great decision that will change alot.
I agree with marykate that this was a great decision by New York to buy watershed land. Not only are they preserving precious watershed land, they are saving money by using the watershed to filter some drinking water. For once, everyone is happy with saving the environmment.
ReplyDeleteThis also reminded me of the assignment we did in class with the model city. I remembered how the water in the river turned from clean to polluted in one simulateed rainfall. Now I realize how the Hudson River is so dirty now. When i went to New York, i always wondered why the water was so dirty and how it got that way and now that I know, I am glad that New York is taking these steps to help the environment and make their city a better place.
I do think think that many other states will follow the path New York is taking. New York has provided a way to keep the water generally clean and save a lot of money while doing it so I do think many states will follow this example due to all the benefits.