Many of our readers will be shocked by the recent change in stance of the EPA. Local banks of the Hudson River are our home. We recently learned here that the EPA has announced they are putting back their decision on the cleanliness of the river until 2027.
While this will no doubt come as a shock to those who have been campaigning for eco-friendly policies and clean water, we need to take a closer look. Is it as simple as deciding that the EPA simply doesn’t care about Tarrytown? Not quite. That’s why we need to consider why they came to that decision and what it means for the locals. Let’s dive into the details!
What caused the delay?
While budget cuts and a lack of interest from Washington are always going to be discussed, the EPA states that they simply need more data. This may not be an unreasonable position because, after all, we want them to come to a sound judgment about the state and condition of the water in the Hudson. The problem is that, it just doesn’t look good at all.
The fact is, regardless of why the delay has been announced, it has been announced. No amount of cynicism or conspiracy theories will reverse the decision — only concerted, coordinated action that will apply pressure to all the right places will get things done. History has shown this to be the case, so now we need to make a case to the many undecided persons in the local area who may not be aware of the issue.
What does this mean for Tarrytown?
A clean river is about so much more than meeting some abstract eco target for the sake of it. What we’re really talking about is the energy and vitality of the local ecosystem. By making sure that water quality and purity in the Hudson is the best in the nation, we can play a major role in bringing animals and wildlife back to the area. The river is the breeding ground, home, and habitat for hundreds of different creatures, big and small, and they each have a part to play in making the area everything it can be.
If nothing is done and the EPA are allowed to turn a blind eye to the quality of the water in our local area, it’s the local people who will suffer. Reduced house prices, slower home sales, and knock-on impacts to health and well-being that may not be fully understood until several decades in the future are all on the cards. While all of this may sound scary yet far off, we do know that it will happen eventually. Taking action now is the only way to arrest this slide.
What can a clean Hudson do for us?
Where should I start? The Hudson has been the background of life in Tarrytown for generations and is the only biggest natural resource in our area. We’re custodians of this iconic waterway and are blessed to be nestled on its banks. That means it’s our responsibility to make sure that it is looked after for the following generations.
Research from towns and villages just like ours has shown that when the river is clean, everything else falls into place. People will come to visit, others will come to settle and start a family, and the whole area will flourish. Granted, it won’t cause an overnight economic miracle, but it will restore some balance and vitality to an area that we all know and love.
The result would be a greater sense of well-being of the local community. Reduced stress, cleaner air, more varied and abundant wildlife — everything gradually starts to slot into place. It makes sense when the key natural component is getting the love and care it needs. The Hudson is not just a mindless flow of water, it’s a living, breathing natural entity that needs to be cherished and protected.
What can we do about it?
Sometimes it’s community action that really makes a difference with these types of issues. Putting down your iPad, ignoring online games on Bonus Focus, and laying off the Netflix binge-watching for the weekend can make a real difference. This is a chance to get your voice heard so that we can all pull and work in the same direction to make something bigger than ourselves. The Hudson has been the lifeblood of our community for generations, offering so much more than a scenic background in which we live our lives.
What we need to do is to stand together, adopt a single voice, and allow ourselves to finally be heard above the noise. If we are lethargic, depressed, or even cynical about the process, we just won’t get anywhere. But if we come together and stand as one, we surely can make our beautiful area heard in the offices of the EPA in a way that simply cannot be ignored.
This is our moment, and together, we will make a stand so that the river returns to its former glory. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your kids and grandkids so they can enjoy the same beautiful life, taken for granted too easily.
Final thoughts
Forming a community action group where we all come together in a shared forum is the best way to tackle this. Messages on Facebook and frustrated online posts are one thing, but putting boots on the ground and meeting in person will really make the difference. If we know the people of Tarrytown, and we think that we do, we know that together, we are always stronger. Let’s do this!
