Kingston Freeman: Barges carrying oil, asphalt, and other hazardous materials could soon be allowed to indefinitely park virtually anywhere along the Hudson River in Upstate, according to U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan.
Ryan, D-Gardiner, who represents the 18th Congressional District, said Wednesday that after a recent administrative change to the definition of the Port of New York, Ryan had pushed the U.S. Coast Guard for answers.
“After finally receiving a response that left the door open to barges lining the Hudson, Ryan is demanding the Coast Guard uphold the Hudson River anchoring ban,” a press release said.
“This would turn the Hudson River into a parking lot for dangerous oil barges, threatening the health and safety of our kids, the more than 100,000 people who rely on the river for their drinking water, and our entire ecosystem,” Ryan said in a statement.
“Just a few years ago, a coalition led by local community leaders and nonprofits like Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson banded together to protect our River from big corporations who were putting their profits ahead of our health and safety,” Ryan said. “We must once again stand up with one voice to fight for our River.”
Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said the barge-parking must be stopped.
