{"id":2116,"date":"2016-12-05T21:35:52","date_gmt":"2016-12-06T02:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mindfulwalker.com\/?p=2116"},"modified":"2016-12-05T21:35:52","modified_gmt":"2016-12-06T02:35:52","slug":"speak-up-on-the-hudson-river-barge-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindfulwalker.com\/wordpress\/beyond-gotham\/speak-up-on-the-hudson-river-barge-plan","title":{"rendered":"Speak Up on the Hudson River Barge Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hudson River is a bucolic, beautiful, and mighty river. Yet at various times, human activities have threatened the natural balance, splendor, and sustainability of this vital treasure. This is one of those times to speak up for the river. The shipping industry is proposing that the Coast Guard construct sites on the Hudson River that could hold as many as 43 industrial barges and other commercial vessels, at 10 large sites. These barge anchorages would be located from Yonkers north to Kingston, along one of the Hudson River\u2019s most magnificent stretches, in communities such as Kingston, Port Ewen, Newburgh, Milton, and Yonkers.<\/p>\n

Commercial shippers say it\u2019s about safety. But those decrying this huge build-up of barge anchorages say it\u2019s ultimately about oil transport, and they have organized much opposition. They contend the proposed Hudson River anchorages would harm the environment, pose risks to the water quality and wildlife, and upend much progress people have made in recent decades on behalf of the river and the region. Thus, the proposal has set off stiff opposition from town and county officials, many Hudson Valley residents, some members of Congress and state representatives, and environmental and land conservancy groups. On the other side, a regional maritime association and other industry groups are backing the plan.<\/p>\n

Now, the public has one last day to weigh in. Tomorrow, Dec. 6, is the deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Coast Guard<\/a>. It\u2019s crucial that people be heard on a plan many believe would reindustrialize the Hudson River, particularly via efforts to increase crude oil transport.<\/p>\n

To Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, the new barge anchorages would make the Hudson River \u201ca superhighway for fossil fuel,\u201d as he testified at a public hearing in October, according to the Daily Freeman<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hudson River is our region\u2019s most important natural asset,\u201d Sullivan said. \u2018It\u2019s vital to the environment, to the public health and a powerful engine for the economy and job creation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The proposed anchorages include, among the 10 sites<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u2022 a Yonkers Extension anchorage site of 715 acres, for up to 16 vessels;
\n\u2022 a Newburgh anchorage site of 445 acres, for up to five vessels;
\n\u2022 a Roseton anchorage site of 305 acres, for up to three vessels;
\n\u2022 a Kingston Flats South anchorage ground of 279 acres, for up to three vessels; and
\n\u2022 a Tompkins Cove anchorage ground of 98 acres, for up to three vessels.<\/p>\n

“Groundswell of Criticism”<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

To those who are marshaling opposition, the proposal is a step backward after concerted action and the investment of millions of dollars to take better care of the Hudson River, clean it up, and restore its health. This came after decades of industrial pollution (for example, General Electric’s dumping of PCBs for 30 years), sullying the waters with sewage overflows, and careless development of portions of the shoreline. In recent years, the Hudson River and the riverfront towns have been the center of a thriving tourism industry. <\/p>\n

\"Hudson<\/a>