Program Highlight
Program Milestones
Overview
HRF brings our 45 years of expertise to CHET to restore, preserve, and protect aquatic habitats along the route of the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line.
The Hudson River Foundation serves as the Trust Administrator for the Lake Champlain and Hudson River Environmental Trust (CHET) , a $117 million fund established to protect and improve habitats and fisheries in the waterbodies where the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line—buried cables that will carry hydropower from Quebec to New York City—are installed. As Trust Administrator, we work closely with the nine member organizations of the CHET Governance Committee, including New York State agencies, New York City, Scenic Hudson, Riverkeeper, and Trout Unlimited, to build consensus and establish broad priorities for research and restoration in Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, Harlem River, and East River.
HRF leads the implementation of these priorities through the development and management of an evolving portfolio of projects. Our team brings together scientific experts, local stakeholders, and managers to inform project investments from scoping through final implementation. Our work ensures that allocated resources address CHET priorities, reflect local needs, and have a strong scientific basis, increasing their potential for impact. This collective work strives to implement high-value, high-impact projects, accelerate and improve restoration outcomes, and enhance understanding of the potential impacts of the power line over the next 35 years.
Background
CHET was established during New York State’s approval of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project. When completed in 2026, CHPE will link 1.2 GW of hydropower generated in Quebec to users in New York City through both overland and underwater cables. The transmitted hydropower is a critical part of New York State’s effort to decarbonize its energy supply and meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Because significant portions of the cable are installed in Lake Champlain and in the Hudson, Harlem, and East Rivers (and the full understanding of the potential impacts of the in-water components of the project are unknown), regulators established CHET as a long-term source of funding for protecting, restoring, and improving the aquatic habitats impacted by the cable’s construction and operation. To date, $17.5 million in funding has been allocated towards research and restoration priorities underway through 2028.
Funded Projects
Click below for more details about each project.
Hudson River Fish Habitat Characterization and Mapping
Team: University of Delaware, U.S. Geological Survey, Cornell University
The project will develop detailed substrate maps of the sedimentary and geomorphological conditions of the Hudson River and integrate acoustic telemetry data of tagged fishes to assess spatial and temporal patterns of habitat use for species of conservation concern. Initial target species include Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon, striped bass, and American eel.
Hudson River Bottom Type and Oyster Density Sampling and Mapping
Team: Normandeau Associates, Inc.
The project conducted a baseline assessment of the bottom characteristics and oyster population in the lower Hudson River from 125th St in Manhattan to Yonkers. The data collection and analysis provided greater understanding of the remnant natural oyster population in the Hudson River and will inform restoration planning including location selection and design consideration of future restoration efforts.
Read the report here
Developing Abundance Indices for Lake Champlain’s Nearshore Fish Communities
Team: University of Vermont, U.S. Geological Survey, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The project will develop a Lake Champlain monitoring program to provide the baseline data necessary to make inferences regarding the effects of climate change, invasive species, and habitat degradation on nearshore fish communities. This monitoring program will expand upon contemporary and historic region- and species-specific sampling efforts. Because of the variety of habitats and fish communities, the sampling design will reflect changes in both as many fish species of special interest (sportfishes, species of greatest conservation need) as possible and overall community structure.
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Harlem River Designing the Edge: North Cove Living Shoreline Restoration
Team: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NYC Economic Development Corporation
The project will design and implement a living shoreline at North Cove on the west bank of the Harlem River. The project’s overall objective is to restore the functions of a healthy shoreline, including greater water and nutrient exchange, filtering, wave buffering, and feeding and nursery habitat for fish, benthic invertebrates, and waterfowl. The project is being designed and constructed as an integrated component of the Economic Development Corporation’s North Cove Park project, resulting in a streamlined construction schedule and significant cost savings.
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Harlem River Designing the Edge: Academy Street Living Shoreline Restoration
Team: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NYC Economic Development Corporation
The project will design and implement a living shoreline at Academy Street on the west bank of the Harlem River. The project’s overall objective is to enhance shallow water habitat for fish, benthic invertebrates, and waterfowl. The project is being designed and constructed as an integrated component of the Academy Street Park project, resulting in a streamlined construction schedule and significant cost savings.
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Chambly Canal Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Assessment
Team: Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, University of Vermont, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, University of Toronto Scarborough
The Chambly Canal Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Assessment will study fish movement within the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal and assess the effects of the Chambly Dam on fish populations. The Chambly Canal is the last point of control for aquatic invasive species to Lake Champlain. This research will inform management strategies to preserve ecological connectivity and prevent aquatic invasive fish dispersal.
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Classification and Assessment of Lake Champlain Fish Habitat
Team: University of Vermont, U.S. Geological Survey, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Lake Champlain Basin Program