COMMUNITY CELEBRATES VICTORY FOR THE HUDSON

Albany, NY—Following news that their bill aimed at safeguarding the Hudson River has become law, Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) and Assemblymember Didi Barrett D—Columbia, Dutchess) today joined Scenic Hudson in thanking the community for making its collective voice heard to ensure that the river and the surrounding communities are protected for generations to come. 

“This is a major victory for our local communities, our local environment and the Hudson River,” said Senator Sue Serino. “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. I thank the Governor for recognizing the importance of protecting the significant investments our communities have made by signing this important legislation and I am grateful for all of those—especially Scenic Hudson— who took the time to help us tackle this issue head on.”

“With this law now in place, the state is in a much stronger position to keep future anchorages from being sited anywhere along the Hudson River.  An increase in petroleum tankers would pose a direct threat to coastal fish and wildlife, local drinking water, the safety of waterfront communities, and economic development in our beautiful region,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “This is truly a victory for everyone who voiced their opposition to the Coast Guard’s ill-advised proposal.  I thank Scenic Hudson for its partnership and commend the Governor for signing this significant measure to further protect the Hudson River.” 

Andy Bicking, Director of Public Policy for Scenic Hudson, “Governor Cuomo has taken bold and decisive action by signing into law legislation that protects the Hudson River from barges and tanker ships that carry dangerous petroleum-based products and other hazardous materials. This legislation was borne from a tidal wave of civic engagement along the river. Assemblywoman Didi Barrett and Senator Serino responded to public concern in working with fellow legislators to pass this bill with near unanimous bi-partisan support in both houses. Now, we call on the Department of Environmental Conservation to do its part by issuing regulations to protect the Hudson River and the natural and community resources of the region." While the U.S. Coast Guard announced the suspension of its now infamous anchorage proposal in June—thanks to the influx of more than 10,000 comments from concerned members of the local community—without this piece of legislation, the area could have been left vulnerable if ever the Coast Guard chose to reconsider its proposal.

The controversial proposal would have allowed the Coast Guard to establish 10 new anchorage grounds along a 91-miles stretch of the River—potentially allowing up to 43 vessels to anchor in the area, most of which could be anchored for up to 30 days.

The proposal had the potential to bring with it a significant increase in the number of vessels able to transport crude oil, as well as an increase in the amount of time such vessels would be stored on the River, leaving the area vulnerable to dangerous accidents and spills.

The new law aims to prevent this from coming to fruition by bolstering the state’s jurisdiction over the river, putting it in a stronger position to prevent anchorages from being sited at points that pose a clear and direct threat to the environment, quality of life and local economic development goals.

The bill quickly garnered bi-partisan support from representatives whose districts border the river and since the proposal’s introduction, at least forty Hudson Valley municipalities passed resolutions or issued endorsements of the legislation, indicating clear public support for the initiative.  

At a press conference in August, municipal leaders, environmental advocates, business representatives and concerned community members came together to urge the Governor to make signing the legislation a priority. Following the press conference, Senator Serino launched an online petition in support of the initiative that garnered hundreds of signatures.

The bill will take effect immediately. 

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