Yonkers Daily Voice: A proposal to allow massive barges to anchor off the shore of several lower Hudson Valley communities is facing increased backlash from local politicians and organizations as a deadline to comment approaches

Earlier this year, the Coast Guard issued a proposal to establish new anchorage grounds in the Hudson River from Yonkers to Kingston in an effort to improve navigation safety along an extended portion of the area, which currently has no grounds for barges as large as 600-feet to park.

With the domestic oil production rapidly on the rise , trade lines have become increasingly valuable. If the proposal is approved, it would include 16 anchor berths for barges spread across 715 acres on the water between Yonkers and the Dobbs Ferry Train Station.

As discussion about the proposal continues, members of the community are being encouraged to submit comments or concerns online to the Coast Guard by the deadline of Wednesday, Sept. 7. 

In a statement, Business Council of Westchester President Marsha Gordon blasted the proposal, saying it could “set back economic development gains in communities along the Hudson River that we have worked so hard to achieve in recent years….

At 11:30 a.m. on Monday at Yonkers City Hall, Mayor Mike Spano will convene local officials to announce the Hudson River Waterfront Alliance, consisting of representatives from every municipality from Yonkers to Peekskill.  Read more.