POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Legislature’s Environment Committee Thursday evening went on record opposed to the parking of oil barges on the Hudson River between Kingston and Yonkers.
Several county residents who spoke during public comment period urged lawmakers to oppose the proposal. While most expressed concern for the environment, ecology of the river, and tourism, Charles Davenport said it is all about the oil companies’ bottom lines.
“This is their oil in our river,” Davenport said. “They are anchoring these barges here so they can wait until prices are more optimal in Europe or someplace else and then they will sell their oil someplace else.”
All but one of the 11 members on the Environment Committee voted to oppose the barges. Legislator Alan Surman voted to allow the anchorages saying it is all about the economy.
The full legislature is expected to vote opposition to the anchorages just as
legislatures in other Mid-Hudson counties have done in recent weeks.
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