Mid-Hudson News is reporting the U.S. Coast Guard announced last month it will conduct a ports and waterways safety assessment of the Hudson River beginning this fall. The process, intended to seek information from the public, is a "disciplined approach to identify major waterway safety hazards, estimate risk levels [and] evaluate potential mitigation measures...," according to a released statement. It will begin with workshops in two or more locations, Coast Guard spokesperson Chief Warrant Officer Allyson Conroy said. Conway said, "We will be gathering qualitative and quantitative data to help us decide what the risks are on the river.” Conroy could not put a timetable on completion of the process. Members of the public who wish to be considered for participation in the workshops are asked to email: Hudson River PAWSA [at] uscg.mil by July 21, with name, contact information, connection to the waterway, experience and related skills. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News [dot] com.