State Senator Pete Harckham joined the environmental advocacy organization Riverkeeper aboard its new water quality monitoring vessel, the Bob Boyle, named after the founder of Riverkeeper, on Friday afternoon. Harckham secured a $100,000 State Senate grant to assist the organization in purchasing the boat.
Outfitted with a mobile lab capable of processing water samples and assessing contamination and bacterial levels in the Hudson River, the Bob Boyle was entered into Riverkeeper’s service three months ago. Each year, Riverkeeper collects thousands of water samples to guide policy decisions on issues such as wastewater infrastructure, stormwater management, drinking water protection, and climate resilience measures.
“I am incredibly proud to have provided the State Senate grant to help Riverkeeper acquire this important scientific vessel,” said Senator Harckham. “I am pleased to know that it will greatly aid Riverkeeper in performing essential work that bolsters legislative efforts in combating pollution and promoting climate adaptation policies. I am committed to supporting local organizations and initiatives that protect the health of our beautiful river, like the Bob Boyle, which will help carry on the Riverkeeper legacy for years to come.”
In just a few months Riverkeeper staffers on the Bob Boyle have already collected 385 water samples from its 77 testing sites from lower Manhattan to the city of Troy. Riverkeeper’s other vessel, the Fletcher, blew out its engine in August 2023, and the addition of the Bob Boyle has been crucial for the organization to continue its work on the Hudson while the Fletcher receives maintenance.
Riverkeeper expects the Fletcher to return to the water in two weeks to assist on the final sampling run of the season. The presence of two boats patrolling the Hudson will dramatically increase the number of samples the organization can collect and strengthen its presence in the mid-Hudson.
Tracy Brown, president of Riverkeeper, said, “The public always wants to know ‘How’s the water?’ Our water quality sampling program that takes place at 77 testing sites along the entire estuary, from the Battery in Lower Manhattan to the Troy Dam north of Albany, provides a critical public service. Thanks to a CREST grant from Senator Harckham, we purchased a new boat named after our founder, Bob Boyle, to enable us to expand our water quality monitoring program. We want to thank Senator Harckham for joining us on the Bob Boyle, participating in our water quality sampling program, and for supporting our efforts.”
The $100,000 grant is part of the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM), approved by the State Senate and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development.
Harckham has delivered more than $25 million of Senate grant funding to municipalities and nonprofits in the 40th Senate District since taking office in 2019.
