This petition is seeking your support in our request to include community boathouses on both sides of the Hudson River as part of the new Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing Project.

We believe that our communities will benefit tremendously from a permanent home for rowers and paddlers.

To provide access to the Hudson River, community organizations like the River Rowing Association (RRA) must have a permanent home within those communities.  Boathouses will mitigate the short term (construction) and long term (removal of community resources) consequences of this massive construction project.

Such boathouses could serve as gateways for recreational use of the majestic Hudson River and serve as vital links to the parkland being proposed by South Nyack.

These boathouses would add significant recreational resources to the area by providing a base from which to operate rowing, kayak and canoe programs and by improving launching access.

Additionally to note, the proposed construction project will have far reaching and detrimental impact upon access to the Hudson for all of those members who currently row, paddle and enjoy Hudson River access from Nyack’s newly constructed NYS Eco-Dock.

The River Villages, in connection with the RRA, would like the Environmental Analysis to consider the construction effects of a new bridge on rowers and other recreational paddle sportsmen and women. The Hudson River itself is an amazing recreational resource to the river towns and surrounding communities in the Tappan Zee area.  As the project construction period is expected to be four years, this will effect an entire generation of area high school rowers, many of whom utilize the experience gained via our programs to improve their access to college acceptance and athletic scholarships.