DEC Announces Availability of $75,000 to Map Oyster Population in the Hudson River from Piermont to City of Yonkers

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the availability of $75,000 to map the lower Hudson River oyster population. NEIWPCC, in partnership with DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program, is inviting proposals from qualified consultants to survey American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) distribution in an approximately 10-mile section of the Hudson River Estuary from Piermont Pier to the city of Yonkers. The sampling is intended to complement past and planned sampling efforts to the north and south of the targeted reach.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is intended to fill a gap in oyster distribution data between the Piermont Pier south to Yonkers. Intensive sampling of oyster north of the target area to Croton Point was conducted between 2013 and 2014 to identify benthic impacts and potential mitigation actions resulting from the construction of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. More recently, funding has been made available to conduct similar data collection in New York Harbor up the Hudson River to the city of Yonkers. Examination of the density of samples taken north of Piermont Pier and the anticipated sampling south of Yonkers demonstrated a need to supplement sampling in the target area, totaling approximately 10 miles of river.

All data collection will occur on location in the field and will be delivered to DEC project managers for analysis of distribution and habitat preference. Potential applicants must demonstrate qualifications and experience conducting similar research. For more information and to apply, visit NEIWPCC's website. The deadline for applications is Dec. 16, 2024, at 5 p.m.

Funding for this opportunity is provided by New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and is administered by NEIWPCC in partnership with DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program. The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention, and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Governor Hochul's 2024-25 Executive Budget maintains EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history.