Preserve River Ecology

Kingston, NY — Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein signed the Bring Your Own Bag Act (The BYOBag Act) of Ulster County on Friday, October 19th during a press conference in his office. The seminal law marks the first county in New York State to implement the gold standard of policies to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags — a ban on plastic bags with a 5-cent fee on recycled paper bags. Additionally, to protect economically vulnerable communities, the legislation will be amended to exempt those community members on SNAP […]

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Barriers would have devastating effects on Hudson River ecology; Timeline is revamped in response to demands for public participation and details of plans OSSINING — After months of public pressure, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to allow more time and transparency before advancing any of its storm flood protection plans for New York Harbor – many of which have potentially devastating consequences for the Hudson River ecosystem. Six conceptual plans are currently under review in the Corps’ New York – New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries (NYNJHAT) Coastal […]

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In response to an announcement today by Global Companies (Oil company abandons possible tar sands oil facility at Port of Albany) Riverkeeper Senior Attorney Erin Doran said: “Riverkeeper is pleased to see that Global has withdrawn its misguided request to add boilers to handle heavy crude at its Albany Terminal. “This is a second major victory for the protection of the Hudson River this year – coming after the defeat of industry’s request for new anchorage grounds to facilitate the transport of more crude oil. Along with our partners, we […]

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Advocates appreciate Governor Cuomo’s attention to the issue but say that a ban/fee policy is more effective than the Governor’s ban only legislation.

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Illegal permit allowed industrial animal operations to prepare pollution prevention plans without agency oversight or public input, threatening drinking and recreational waters

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Riverkeeper, Waterford & Halfmoon call for DEC investigation as decision is pending on property’s future Waterford, N.Y. – Local leaders from Waterford and Halfmoon, together with Riverkeeper, announced new sampling results that raise concern about contamination of the Mohawk River by the Town of Colonie Landfill, and renewed their call for further investigation by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. Town of Waterford Supervisor John Lawler announced findings from sampling of the Mohawk River and outfalls immediately adjacent to the Colonie Landfill on the shore of the river. Sample results […]

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The U.S. Coast Guard today issued its Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment Report. According to the Coast Guard’s announcement, the key recommendations stemming from the November workshops are the establishment of a Hudson River Safety Committee; increased recreational boater safety information, and clarification of current U.S. Coast Guard regulations on the river. “The result of the PAWSA is a welcome next step toward resolving the very contentious proposal by the tug and barge industry for new anchorages on the Hudson,” said Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay. “The Coast Guard […]

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