Tell the NY State Senate: Protect the Hudson from Oil Barges
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Can we count on you to defend the Hudson from 43 newly proposed anchorage sites for commercial vessels?
A bill (S.5197a/A.6825a) has been introduced in the New York State Senate and Assembly that would allow the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner to better protect areas of the river that are important habitat for wildlife, as well as areas that are near waterfront communities.
With just hours left in the 2017 legislative session, we are calling for all hands on deck to make sure this legislation passes.
Breaking 6/19/2017: The NYS Assembly is anticipated to pass legislation soon to help protect the Hudson and waterfront communities from dangerous oil barges and unnecessary new anchorages! The NYS Senate must pass S.5197b (Serino), through the Rules Committee chaired by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan.
Urge the Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco to pass S.5197a, which would increase the state’s role in regulating the movement of dangerous oil barges on the Hudson.
The proposal for 43 new anchorage sites threatens to re-industrialize the Hudson River. The maritime industry’s request for the expansion comes amid a number of efforts to significantly increase the use of the Hudson as an oil transportation hub. Despite industry claims that the expansion is necessary for safety, it is clear that crude oil is a driving force.
Call Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan: (518) 455-2071
Call Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco: (518) 455-3511
What to Say:
Hi, I’m (name) from (town). I’m calling to ask the Senate to pass S.5197a (Serino) and ensure that the “Tanker Avoidance Zone” bill becomes law.
You can also tell your Senator that:
- The Legislature needs to act quickly before the session ends on Wednesday.
- The Coast Guard could move forward with a rulemaking process to establish new anchorage sites on the Hudson River at any time.
- More oil barge traffic would put the Hudson at a greater risk for devastating oil spills, threaten drinking water supplies, and undermine millions of dollars that river towns have spent revitalizing their waterfronts.
Thank you for calling, please follow up with an e-mail to your State Senators.
Learn more at our campaign hub riverkeeper.org/anchorages.