Officials Call for Public to Comment on Proposed Hudson River Commercial Anchorages

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino is asking the public to voice its concerns over the federal government’s plan to allow commercial barges to anchor at points close to the Westchester coastline.

The Coast Guard is considering putting 10 new anchorage grounds in the Hudson River from Yonkers in Westchester County to Kingston in Ulster County.

Requests from the Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ Tug and Barge Committee, the Hudson River Port Pilot’s Association and the American Waterways Operators for the new anchoring spots spurred the Coast Guard into formulating plans.

Astorino said the plan would create “a giant parking lot” for commercial vessels close to the shore.

“Once again, it appears that the federal government wants to do what it wants, where it wants, when it wants, and that’s just not OK,” he said.

“There needs to be a process to fully vet this proposal in the most transparent manner possible,” Astorino said.

• Commercial Anchorages on the Hudson: Objections to Coast Guard Plans.
• Letter to the Editor: No Commercial Anchorages on the Hudson Near Peekskill.

The county executive spoke at a press conference in Cortlandt, which was hosted by state Senator Terrence P. Murphy, R-Yorktown. They were joined with local elected officials, environmentalists and private citizens.

One comment, from Vitalah Simon, said, “Pete Seeger must be singing LOUDLY against this proposed barge project on the beloved Hudson which he dedicate SO MANY YEARS of his life to clean up. This is a very bad idea.”

Commenter Joanna Harbolic said her family does a lot of fishing and boating on the Hudson River.

“If this goes through, it will cripple boaters and fishermen,” she wrote.”The waterfront communities are trying to revitalize the area using the river, this will hurt the communities in many ways.”

The public comment period ends September 7, 2016. Anyone wishing to make a comment should click here.

CHART: USCG