LWRP Background and Process

What is an LWRP?

A Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a locally prepared land and water use plan for a community's developed, natural, public, and working waterfronts. It provides a comprehensive framework within which a community's vision for its waterfront can be formalized. Working in partnership with the Department of State, a community reaches consensus on the future of its waterfront, establishes local policies and outlines the implementation techniques it will use to achieve its vision.

The Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act offers local governments the opportunity to participate in the State's Coastal Management Program (CMP) on a voluntary basis by preparing and adopting a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).

For a complete overview of the LWRP and its components check out the Department of State's website: https://dos.ny.gov/local-waterfront-revitalization-program

What are the benefits of an LWRP?

There are several key benefits to a community that prepares an LWRP. They include:

• Local, state and federal actions are required to be consistent with the approved LWRP to the maximum extent practicable. This "consistency" provision is a strong tool that helps ensure all government levels work in unison to build a stronger economy and a healthier environment. This can provide peace-of-mind for property owners.

• A LWRP reflects community consensus. As such, it can significantly increase a community's ability to attract appropriate development that will respect its unique cultural and natural characteristics.

• A LWRP establishes a long-term partnership among local government, community based organizations, and the State, providing a source of technical assistance to prepare and implement a Local Program.

• A LWRP presents a unified vision; it therefore increases a community's chances to obtain public and private funding for projects. Funding for both the development and implementation of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs is available through grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF LWRP), among other sources.

What's the History of Esopus' LWRP?

• The Esopus Town Board adopted the current LWRP on July 8, 1987.

• The NYS Secretary of State approved the LWRP on November 17, 1987

• The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management concurred on July 1, 1988

View the current LWRP

Project Schedule

• Project Start: October 2020

• Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) Meetings: October 2020 - Present

  • Check Town Calendar for dates and information

• Draft Waterfront Vision and Goals: June 2021

• Draft Waterfront Boundary Area Description: July 2021

• Draft Inventory and Analysis: November 2021

• Public Open House: January 12, 2022

  • View Flyer

• Draft Priority Project Recommendations: March 2022

• Second Public Meeting: April/May 2022

• Draft LWRP for Public Review: June/July 2022