Maloney bill would kill anchorage proposal
Congressman says bid to establish additional sites is ‘a solution in search of a problem’
NEWBURGH >> U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney has introduced federal legislation that would halt the current proposal to allow for 43 additional commercial slots in 10 anchorages in the Hudson River between Kingston and Yonkers.
The commercial shipping industry asked the U.S. Coast Guard to consider approving the moorings.
The proposal by Maloney, DCold Spring, would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security, under which the Coast Guard operates, from establishing new anchorage sites for vessels carrying hazardous or flammable material within five miles of an existing superfund site, a nuclear power plant, a site on the National Register of Historic Places, or a critical habitat of an endangered species.
“We are going to stop this proposal and make sure there is maximum public input on the way to killing it because this is a bad idea,” Maloney said. “This is a solution in search of a problem. This is not something we need or want, and this is not a partisan issue; across all lines of political difference, across all layers of gov-
ernment on the state and local level, people have come together to say, ‘We don’t want these new anchorage sites in the Hudson River.’”
The public comment period on the expanded anchorage plan has been extended to the end of the year.
Maloney’s Republican opponent in the November election, Phil Oliva, criticized Maloney’s announcement on Monday as “more political theater ... trying to save face five weeks before Election Day.”
Sites from Yonkers to Kingston have been identified as potential choices.
Approximate depths of the proposed sites range from 21 to 65 feet. Coast Guard officials say that would accommodate a variety of vessels and configurations and would not interfere with areas of the river where vessels historically have plied the waters.
Anticipated users of the proposed anchorage grounds are commercial vessels and their attending tug, tow or push boats.
Officials say adding anchorage sites would allow for a safer and more efficient flow of vessel traffic.
Among the 11 proposed sites are:
• A Kingston Flats South Anchorage Ground, which would cover about 280 acres for up to three vessels with a draft of less than 22 feet for long-term usage. It would provide a vessel swing radius of about 1,300 feet for one vessel and about 1,800 feet for two vessels.
• A Port Ewen anchorage ground, which would cover about 50 acres for one vessel with a draft of less than 30 feet for shortterm usage. It would provide a vessel swing radius of about 1,200 feet.
• A Big Rock Point anchorage ground, which would cover about 210 acres for up to four vessels with a draft of less than 35 feet for long-term usage. It would provide a vessel swing radius of about 1,200 feet per vessel.
• A Roseton anchorage ground, which would cover about 305 acres for up to three vessels with a draft of less than 40 feet for long-term usage. It would provide a vessel swing radius of about 1,700 feet per vessel.
• A Milton anchorage ground, which would cover about 75 acres for up to two vessels with a draft of less than 40 feet for long-term usage. It would provide a vessel swing radius of about 1,200 feet per vessel.
• A Marlboro anchorage ground, which would cover about 155 acres for up to three vessels with a draft of less than 35 feet for long-term usage. It would provide a vessel swing radius of about 1,800 feet per vessel.