Law Signed Establishing No-Parking Zones For Barges

TARRYTOWN, NY — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation Oct. 24 to allow the state to establish guidelines for "tanker avoidance zones." The legislation also establishes minimum conditions under which petroleum-bearing vessels are authorized to navigate on the Hudson River.

"The Hudson River is one of New York's most vital and cherished waterways, spurring commerce and tourism in every community it runs through," Cuomo said. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"With this measure, we are taking concrete steps to preserve the beauty of this natural resource as well as protect the New Yorkers who live along the banks on this great Empire State treasure," he said.

This bill amends Navigation Law to allow the state to create guidelines for tanker avoidance zones, which would prevent anchorages for oil tankers on the Hudson River.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be required to consult with the Coast Guard, the Department of State, the state Board of Commissioners of Pilots and at least one licensed Hudson River pilot to establish these guidelines.

Such conditions for tanker avoidance zones include but are not limited to: navigational hazards; environmental conditions; the existence of designated significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats; proximity to waterfront communities; disproportionate impacts on communities; and federally or state identified environmental remediation sites. An affected community's waterfront revitalization plan or comprehensive plan and the environmental justice communities' impacts may also be considered.

The Coast Guard came up with a proposal to create 10 new anchorage grounds in the Hudson River from Yonkers in Westchester County to Kingston in Ulster County.

Had that plan come to fruition, the new grounds would have enabled up to 43 petroleum-carrying vessels to anchor in the 91-mile area. Forty-two of them would have been able to anchor for up to 30 days at a time.

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino said the proposal would turn the Hudson River into a "giant parking lot" for barges.

The bill would provide flexibility for the state to determine the appropriate conditions and guidelines for petroleum-bearing vessels on the Hudson River and the establishment of the tanker avoidance zones. With this flexibility, the state would be able to evaluate each instance to ensure that it would be feasible and not hinder the necessary travel of petroleum-bearing vessels on the Hudson River and active ports, several of which have active major oil storage facilities.

State Senator Sue Serino said this was a major victory for local communities, the environment and the Hudson River.

"We asked residents to step up and make their voices heard on this important issue and the community responded in full force, ensuring that the state will have the power to better protect one of our area's greatest natural resources," she said.

The legislation was sponsored by Serino and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.

Photo credit: Michael Woyton/Patch Staff.