The Plan Approval Will Advance a Sustainable Vision for the Waterfront in the Village 

LWRP will help Create an Enhanced Waterfront to Bring Economic, Cultural and Environmental Contributions to the Region

New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado today announced the approval of the Town of Bethlehem Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), which provides a step-by-step process to advance the Town’s waterfront planning from vision to implementation. Bethlehem’s LWRP was prepared with the Department of State and supported by $77,500 in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). 

The LWRP approval will allow the Town to advance 25 projects that will help to achieve the waterfront vision laid out in the comprehensive plan, which is a roadmap for the beneficial use, revitalization, and protection of the Town’s valuable waterfront resources along Normans, Volman, and Binnen Kills, and the Hudson River. The plan and the proposed projects also reflect the Town’s goal to protect local ecological resources and conserve agricultural lands, strengthen its physical connection to the waterfront, enhance public recreational opportunities, and build resiliency for community assets while balancing sustainable economic growth.

New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “Congratulations to the Town of Bethlehem for completing the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. We look forward to continuing our productive partnership with the Town to implement the variety of projects proposed in the LWRP along the Hudson River and Normans, Volman, and Binnen Kills.”

The Town of Bethlehem LWRP was adopted by the Town Board on March 24, 2021.The development of the LWRP included input from an advisory committee that met eight times during the development of the draft LWRP to guide the consultant and provide feedback on drafts. To ensure a transparent process and keep the public involved, the Town developed a webpage that provided access to the schedule of the LWRP planning process, draft materials ready for review and the schedule of related public events. The public events included workshops and two public hearings, which provided opportunities for stakeholders and residents to learn about the preparation and goals of the LWRP and to provide feedback on waterfront priorities, issues and specific project ideas.

The Bethlehem LWRP may be found here.

Town of Bethlehem Supervisor David VanLuven said, “Bethlehem’s historic Hudson River region is a complex mixture of heavy industry, residences, parkland, farms, and protected natural areas. The LWRP will be an important tool for our town as we work to implement the ambitious goals our community has set forth for this area.”

The Department of State’s LWRP, funded under Title 11 of the EPF, provides matching grants on a competitive basis to eligible villages, towns, cities and counties located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways for planning, design and construction projects to revitalize communities and waterfronts. The DOS Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure works in partnership with waterfront communities across the State through the LWFP focusing on protecting natural and cultural resources, expanding public access opportunities and strengthening the local economy. This program helps communities breathe new life into their underused waterfront assets in ways that ensure successful and sustainable revitalization. To learn more about the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, visit here.

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