Aug. 3, 2016 - Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino gathered Tuesday morning with local elected officials, environmentalists and private citizens along the shores of the Hudson River to call upon the public to voice concerns over the federal government’s plans to create up to 10 commercial barge anchorages in close proximity to the pristine Westchester coastline.
The Coast Guard recently unveiled its agenda calling for the additional anchorages on the Hudson River for commercial vessels such as industrial barges to drop anchor. Among the 10 spots are locations in Westchester including Yonkers, Montrose and Verplank.
“Once again, it appears that the federal government wants to do what it wants, where it wants, when it wants and that’s just not okay,” said Astorino. “This plan would create a giant parking lot for massive barges and other commercial vessels just yards from our shores, and there needs to be a process to fully vet this proposal in the most transparent manner possible.”
At the press conference in Cortlandt, hosted by NY State Senator Terrence P. Murphy (R- Yorktown), the public was urged to visit federalregister.gov to express their opinions.
The public comment period ends on Sept. 7, 2016.