Senator Terrenace Murphy recommended to Coast Guard PAWSA workgroup on Hudson River

WASHINGTON DC - Senator Terrence was the first state elected official to oppose and bring attention to the Coast Guard's recently scrapped proposal to create new barge anchorages on the Hudson River last year. Now Congressman John Faso is recommending Senator Murphy serve on the Coast Guard's recently announced ports and waterways safety assessment (PAWSA) work group.

"I believe that Senator Murphy would play an important and collaborative role in PAWSA workgroups," Congressman Faso said. "I know Senator Murphy to be a dispassionate arbiter of competing interests and a legislator who is able to find consensus on a variety of issues. He would make an excellent addition to the PAWSA workgroups scheduled to meet this fall and his local voice would add additional weight and credibility to whatever decision is reached."

"As Senator representing communities along the Hudson River, I have been engaged on this issue since last year and I've held official state hearings engaging local stakeholders to identify concerns on these topics," Senator Murphy said. "I'd like to thank Congressman Faso for his trust in me. The communities where our districts overlap could not have a fiercer, more knowledgeable advocate in our nation's Capitol than my friend John."

Last year, Senator Murphy launched his call to action petition which generated more than 2,000 signatures of local residents opposing the proposal. On September 1, 2016, amid public pressure generated by Senator Murphy's petition, the Coast Guard extended the comment period to December 6th.

On October 19, 2016, Senator Murphy was joined by State Senators Sue Serino and David Carlucci at the Croton-on-Hudson Village Hall for the State's first public hearing on the proposed barges. Finally, on December 6, 2016 Senator Murphy was joined by the Pace University Environmental Clinic to reveal the U.S. Coast Guard violated its own protocol when proposing the establishment of ten new anchorages along the Hudson River without performing the necessary studies such as the PAWSA, which is now being conducted.

Senator Murphy also co-sponsored and passed legislation that passed both houses which set forth additional prohibitions on where petroleum-laden vessels can anchor in non-emergency events.

"I'm proud of the work I've done on the state and local level to restore our waterways and waterfront areas," Murphy added. "I stand ready to further engage stakeholders and the Coast Guard to be sure an accurate and appropriate PAWSA for the Hudson River is completed."