WASHINGTON – Legislation
sponsored by Senator Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18), which would require
the Coast Guard to submit a report to the House on the impacts the proposed
commercial anchorages would have on the Hudson River, has passed.
The measure, the Anchorages Away Act, requires that within 180 days of
passage, the Coast Guard must submit a report to the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee on the impacts of the anchorages on existing
superfund sites and habitats of endangered species, as well as the Coast
Guard’s response to those concerns.
The bill also prohibits those anchorages from being established between
Yonkers and Kingston until at least 180 days after the submission of the
report.
“The original proposal is effectively dead, but I want to make sure
it stays dead and buried,” Maloney said.
While the Coast Guard put the plan on hold, it is planning to conduct
a Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment process with closed
workshops to be held this fall.
Yonkers Mayor Michael Spano Friday said his city, on behalf of the Hudson
River Waterfront Alliance, is submitting a formal request to the Coast
Guard to participate in the assess workshop.
The waterfront alliance said it wants to participate in the Coast Guard
process because of its members’ substantial investment in and protection
of waterfront development and the Hudson Valley’s economic vitality
as well as interest in safe recreational and related maritime uses on
the Hudson River.
The alliance consists of elected leaders from 33 Hudson River municipalities
and counties united in promoting maritime safety, protection of the river,
sustainable waterfronts, and coastal zone management.
