Governor signs key legislation protecting the Hudson from oil barges

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Great news! Just after midnight on October 24, 2017 Governor Cuomo signed S.5197/A.6825, legislation to increase the state’s oversight of oil barges and their movement on the Hudson. The Governor and Legislature have come through with an action to help protect the river.

The bill is a response to the now suspended “rulemaking” process led by the Coast Guard in response to the request of the tug and barge industry for 43 new berths at 10 anchorage grounds from Yonkers to Kingston. In June 2017, the legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Sue Serino received overwhelming bipartisan support in the state Senate and Assembly due to thousands of calls and letters from advocates like you.

The success of this legislation demonstrates the power that clean water supporters like you have when you answer the call to protect the Hudson River. When the Assembly passed the legislation by a 93-2, there was no guarantee that the Senate would move on the bill. It came down to a late-night vote after midnight on the very last day of the legislature’s session. Remarkably, the bill cleared the Senate by a vote of 62-1. Now, Governor Cuomo has signed the legislation, enacting changes to the state’s Navigation Law.

Above all, we thank you, our members and supporters. Without your letters, comments and phone calls to elected and non-elected officials, this legislation may have never made it to the Governor’s desk. Our public officials are mindful of the more than 10,000 comments submitted to the Coast Guard last year opposing the industry’s request for the anchorages – a historic outpouring of care from the people of the Hudson Valley for the river that they love.

Along with our partners, we now implore the Department of Environmental Conservation to move forward as quickly as possible, within the bounds of the new law, to protect the Hudson River.

Help us continue our success in protecting the river by becoming a member and joining our email list.

For more information, visit our information page, Hudson River Anchorages.