Another View
Editor’s note: The editorial appeared in the April 1 edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal and was distributed by The Associated Press.
If the first few months are any judge, President Donald Trump’s policies will be a dangerous assault on the environment, reversing hard- fought progress that took decades to accomplish. Those damaging actions include proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, a reduction in environmental regulations and an opening for traditional gas and oil companies to run roughshod over efforts to build on the alternative- energy market.
The time to place markers down in the name of environmental defense is now. With that in mind, U. S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D- Cold Spring, and many others are fighting against the plan to allow as many as 10 commercial shipping anchorages on the Hudson, including places in Kingston, Milton, Newburgh and Port Ewen.
Maloney offered up such legislation last year, but it was rejected. He has revived the effort, and with good reason. Environmental groups and numerous area elected officials have lined up against the anchorages, saying it could turn the river into a “barge parking lot.”
The Coast Guard’s justification for considering this industry-backed idea is bad enough. It’s a recognition of the tremendous, and dangerous, increase of crude- oil shipments by barge on the river and by track alongside the majestic Hudson.
The Coast Guard would allow these huge vessels to drop anchor in the area, something the industry says is necessary to avoid having these ships traverse the river during bad conditions, such as foggy weather.
But other safety factors must be taken into consideration. Providing the means for a continued increase in the number of shipments on the Hudson could have dire consequences. A substantial crude- oil spill undoubtedly would create a fullblown environmental disaster. And designating anchorages close to where municipal plants draw their water — as this plan does — would be a particularly reckless decision. These barges also would have a negative impact on tourism and interfere with recreational boating
Meanwhile, state Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, and state Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, are sponsoring legislation that would strengthen New York’s standing to prevent the anchorages from being designated: in inappropriate spots.
At minimum, the number of these proposed resting stops in the Hudson Valley should be greatly reduced. And federal authorities must provide key details of what contingency plans would be like in the event of an accident.
The fight for a far better plan must press forward.