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11 Most Endangered
Hudson River Valley
Year Listed: 2000
Location: , New York
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Development
Significance
The Hudson's scenic grandeur has long inspired writers to list it among the world's most beautiful rivers. Generations of artists have made their homes in the wooded landscape flanking the river or in small towns dotting its shores, and much of the nation's literary, military, social and political history is rooted here. But this region is experiencing an onslaught of development that could devastate the character of its towns and spoil the setting of some of its most significant historic sites. At least seven - and possibly as many as 12 - power plants are being proposed for the valley. One of them, slated to be the largest gas-fired facility of its kind in the United States, would cast a pall over revitalization efforts currently under way in the picturesque village of Athens and mar the view from Olana, the home of famed 19th-century artist Frederic Church.
Updates
In the absence of comprehensive planning, the Hudson River Valley’s great scenic and historic significance continues to be affected by inappropriate development. Sprawl is advancing on the valley in several areas, and proposals to site telecommunications towers and industrial plants in highly visible and valued historic viewsheds persist. The coalition of preservation and environmental advocates working to protect the region’s special character have enjoyed hard-won victories in recent years, including the defeat of a proposed cement plant at Hudson that would have destroyed signature views for miles around.
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