SERINO AND MURPHY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING HUDSON RIVER ANCHORAGE PROPOSAL

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) today joined Senator Terrence Murphy, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and a bi-partisan group of local leaders at a press conference at the Montrose Point Boat Launch to formally announce a public hearing date regarding the United States Coast Guard’s proposal to create new anchorage sites along the Hudson River.  

The following statement was given by the Senator at the event:

“I’m here today because we have a duty and an obligation to better understand this proposal and that starts with hearing from all interested parties and stakeholders. On its face, I can see where this proposal raises cause for serious concern. The Hudson River is the lifeblood of so many of our communities and no one wants to see our waterfronts turned into parking lots.

We have a duty to ensure that the economic and environmental health and safety of our communities comes first. Senator Murphy and I are announcing this public hearing today because members of the communities that may be impacted by the anchorage proposal, as well as those with vested interest in safe passage along the Hudson, have the right to make their voices heard.

In holding a public hearing, it is my hope that we can help inform the Coast Guard’s process as they work toward improving traffic safety along the Hudson, and most importantly, ensure that the economic and environmental health of our communities remains the number one priority.”

County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Our communities deserve a say on a proposal that has the potential to drastically impact our area. Senators Serino and Murphy have lead the charge and worked tirelessly to ensure that our communities have a voice in the process. By holding this hearing, they are giving our communities a platform to be heard and we look forward to partnering with them to ensure that our concerns are addressed. We expect transparency and accountability and are glad to work with them both to make our case clear.” 

The public hearing will be held at 7:00pm on October 19, 2016 at the Croton Village Hall. Additional details to follow. Thanks to efforts of the Senators and local officials, as well as countless concerned citizens, the U.S. Coast Guard has extended the deadline for public comment on the proposal until December 6, 2016. Click here to comment.

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