A bipartisan effort to give New York additional say over large-vessel anchorage locations on the Hudson River has won final approval in the state Legislature and is heading to the governor’s desk.
The bill giving New York the authority to establish “tanker avoidance zones” on the lower Hudson was approved 61-1 by the state Senate late Wednesday. It was introduced by state Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, and co-sponsored by state Sen. George Amedore, R-Rotterdam.
The legislation cleared the state Assembly on Tuesday in a 93-2 vote. It was introduced there by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson.
Lawmakers wrote the legislation as a pre-emptive move to strengthen the state’s position regarding 10 possible anchorage sites between Kingston and Yonkers that have been proposed by the maritime industry and are being considered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
RELATED: ‘Congressional bill would delay Hudson River anchorage plan for at least a year,’ May 24, 2017
Serino, in a statement issued at 12:11 a.m. Thursday, said: “I cannot stress it enough: Our communities have worked far too hard for far too long on revitalizing our waterfront to risk compromising the Hudson River. This bill is critically important to ensure that the state is empowered to do all that it can to ensure that our river environment and local communities are protected. …
“This is a great example of all that can be accomplished when partners at every level come together to put our environment and our community first, and I hope that the governor will recognize the importance of this legislation and make its signing a priority,” Serino said.
Amedore, also is a prepared statement, said the river “plays an important role in commerce throughout New York state, but the proposed anchorage sites caused serious environmental concerns, safety issues, and threatened waterfront revitalization efforts in communities all along the river. This legislation ensures the protection of a vital natural resource, the safety of our residents and the economic vitality of our waterfront communities.”
The bill amends existing law to allow the state Department of Environmental Conservation to work with the state Department of State and the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to set “conditions for petroleum-bearing vessels to enter or move upon navigable waters of the state, as well as tanker avoidance zones.”
Three of the proposed anchorage sites are between Dutchess County and Ulster County. The northernmost, the Kingston Flats South Anchorage Ground, would be in front of the Rhinebeck shoreline. That anchorage ground would encompass 279 acres and accommodate up to three vessels for long-term use. It would be directly across from the river from Kingston Point Beach.
The two other northern sites would be along the town of Esopus shoreline. A Port Ewen site would cover about 50 acres for one vessel, while the Big Rock Point site, immediately south of Port Ewen, would cover about 210 acres for up to four vessels.
The state legislation would allow consideration of fish and wildlife habitats, as well as the proximity of waterfront communities.
The other proposed anchorage sites are:
* The Roseton Anchorage Ground, covering about 305 acres and accommodating up to three vessels.
* The Milton Anchorage Ground, covering about 74 acres and accommodating up to two vessels.
* The Marlboro Anchorage Ground, covering about 154 acres and accommodating up to three vessels.
* The Newburgh Anchorage Ground, covering about 445 acres and accommodating up to five vessels.
* The Tomkins Cove Anchorage Ground, covering about 98 acres and accommodating up to three vessels.
* The Montrose Point Anchorage Ground, covering about 127 acres and accommodating up to three vessels.
* The Yonkers Extension Anchorage Ground, covering about 715 acres and accommodating up to 16 vessels.
The plan has drawn significant criticism from elected officials and environmental groups up and down the Hudson River, including Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, the Ulster County Legislature, Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, the Kingston Common Council and supervisors of towns on both sides of the river.
Opponents say they fear the river will become a parking lot for commercial vessels waiting their turn at the Port of Albany and that the number of vessels carrying Bakken crude along the river could increase significantly, creating a potential hazard.
The industry has said the sites are needed to create safe places for ships to stop and crews to rest.
The anchorage sites are being proposed by the Maritime Association of the Port of New York/New Jersey Tug and Barge Committee, the Hudson River Port Pilots Association and the American Waterways Operators.
Paul Gallay, president of the environmental protection group Riverkeeper, said Thursday that the state legislation “gives the Hudson River, and all who care about it, new momentum in the fight against current attempts to expand the industrial use of the river, particularly for crude oil transport.”
“The public has spoken loudly, clearly and repeatedly [that] we don’t need these anchorages and they pose unacceptable risks,” Gallay said. “And our elected officials are listening and taking action.”
