Some of the municipalities that have expressed interest thus far include: Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and Croton-on-Hudson.

The facility is modeled after the famed Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts. The Hudson River complex would employ more than 500 full-time employees, including 300 program staff and an additional 200 employees for hospitality and facility support, state officials say.

The startup phase, including site selection and construction, is expected to take up to four years with an estimated cost of $172 million. However, some programs may begin operating from an interim facility as soon as 2003, Cronin says.

During the first five years of the center's operation, its annual budget is expected to grow to $60 million, according to state officials.

Cronin says that just because someone has available real estate near the Hudson River does not mean it will be an appropriate locale for the research center. "We are advising everyone to give a hard look at what we are proposing and see if it fits with what you want to see happening in your community," he says.

Nomination packages will be sent to municipal governments and other interested parties in the Hudson Valley and are also available online at www.hudsonsite.com or by calling Cronin at (914) 773-3452.

The governor has committed $1.5 million to date for the development and creation of the center. Cronin says that once the site is selected, a not-for-profit corporation will be established that will attempt to secure the necessary federal, state and private funding to develop the complex.

Task force officials explain that the strategic plan calls for the center to build upon existing research and education efforts and become a clearinghouse for the creation, storage and dissemination of river and estuaries information. Through partnerships and global outreach, the center will extend its expertise to river environments, populations and governments around the world.