Maloney Submits Over 400 Letters to Coast Guard on Proposed Hudson River Anchorage Sites

Washington – After successfully pressing the Coast Guard to extend the public comment period for proposed Hudson River anchorage sites until December 7th, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney submitted 404 comments from local residents to the U.S. Coast Guard. In September, Rep. Maloney asked Hudson Valley residents to contact his office directly to provide comments in regards to the proposal to install ten new anchorage sites on the Hudson River from Yonkers to Kingston.

“It’s critical that my neighbors have the opportunity to make their voices heard regarding the Coast Guard’s proposal to install new anchorage sites on the Hudson River – before the final deadline I submitted more than 400 comments on behalf of folks in the Hudson Valley.  If the Coast Guard decides to move forward with this disastrous proposal there will be additional opportunities to make your opinion known on this important matter – and I urge my friends and neighbors to keep sharing your comments - the health of our river and our communities depends on it,” said Rep. Maloney.

In June, the U.S. Coast Guard announced advanced notice of a proposed rulemaking which, if conducted, could result in the construction of ten new anchorage sites along the Hudson River for large commercial ships travelling from up-river to the port of New York. The anchorage sites would provide these ships a location to drop anchor before continuing on to the port. Rep. Maloney has repeatedly called for a comprehensive environmental impact study and public hearings before the proposal can advance, and sent his own letter to the Coast Guard on August 18. In August, Representative Maloney, along with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and fellow Representatives Lowey and Engel, sent a letter to the Coast Guard requesting a 90-day extension to provide the public time to learn about the proposal and to offer comments. Following this letter, the Coast Guard announced it was extending the public comment period. In September, Maloney questioned Coast Guard officials and secured a commitment to an open and transparent process, including public hearings. In October, Maloney introduced the Hudson River Protection Act to prohibit the Coast Guard from establishing new anchorage sites for vessels carrying hazardous or flammable material within five miles of an existing superfund site, nuclear power plant, a site on the National Register of Historic Places, or critical habitats for endangered species. These requirements would effectively prevent the Coast Guard from officially promulgating this proposed rule.