Reaction To Coast Guard Decision To Scrap Anchorage Sites On Hudson

TARRYTOWN, NY — Reaction to the announcement Wednesday that the U.S. Coast Guard has scrapped plans to create anchorage sites in the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston has poured in. Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay said that 10,000 Hudson Valley residents and elected officials came together with one voice to let the Coast Guard know about the flaws in the industry’s request to establish 10 anchorage sites to facilitate crude oil being transported on the river.

“Now, the Coast Guard is suspending its review of that plan, admitting ‘there’s a lot we didn’t know about the river.’ The main lesson learned by the feds is this: Those of us who live on and love the Hudson River will not let it come to harm,” Gallay said.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who sent a letter to the federal Department of Homeland Security opposing the proposal, said he was glad the Coast Guard now agrees with so many New Yorkers.

“The Hudson River is one of our greatest resources and we have a fundamental responsibility to protect it,” he said.

Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, said the decision was welcome news. [Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts here.]

“I am pleased to see that in addition to suspending its anchorages plan, the Coast Guard decided to commission a formal study to better understand the risks associated with these anchorage grounds,” he said.

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino said the Coast Guard’s decision was a clear win for the people of Westchester County.

“The federal government’s plan to re-industrialize the Hudson River and create a giant parking lot along its banks for tankers was a terrible idea from the start,” he said.

“Although it never should have been proposed, we’re grateful the Coast Guard listened to the public and made the right decision,” Astorino.

State Senator George Latimer, D-Rye, said the public spoke strongly on the impact these anchorages would have had on the environment and economy of Hudson Valley communities.

“I am pleased the U.S. Coast Guard has heard those voices and has indeed ended the plan,” he said. “Every so often it’s good to know the ‘Good Guys’ win one.”

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro the public saw that the process was moving too quickly with too little public information or input and raised their voices.

“As we look across the banks of the Hudson, we are grateful to the many people and voices that came together and again protected this iconic view and majestic river — one like no other in the world,” he said.

Photo credit: Michael Woyton/Patch Staff.