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Audio Feature: Hudson River stories
Mar 16, 2018 10:55 am
Here are some stories from the Hudson River this week. Click here to hear an audio version of this report. (2:54)
• The Stevens Institute reports temperatures this week in the Hudson River at Schodack Island were between 36 and 38 degrees, about the same as last week.
• Debby Mayer is reporting for The Columbia Paper Amtrak has proposed a fencing project along its right of way at the Hudson River, from Rhinebeck to Stuyvesant. The railroad has cited safety concerns as the reason for the fence. Germantown is concerned the plan will block access for recreation, fishing and fire protection and rescue. The town's Local Waterfront Study Committee made a statement on the Amtrak proposal during the Germantown Town Board meeting March 13. Kaare Christian, a waterfront committee member, explained that Amtrak wants to fence off a four-mile stretch between Lasher Park to the north, and Cheviot Park to the south, constructing a gate at either end. The 50- to 100-foot-wide space connects the two parks, and has historically been used by fishers, walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers and families that simply want an outing, he said. “It’s a real gem of an area, not crowded, but it is used.” Similar past proposals have failed, one as recently as 1991. The public comment period on the Amtrak proposal began on March 14, making comments due March 29. Supervisor Robert Beaury said he would ask the town board for permission to ask Amtrak for an extension of the comment period. “This seems to be moving very fast,” he said. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.
• The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Coast Guard released a 77-page report on Hudson River anchorages for large barges on March 13. At this time, the Coast Guard did not recommend adding the anchorages, but they did leave the door open for a future change in its Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment. Up to 43 crude oil barges could have anchored in the Hudson River under a proposal last summer that was scuttled after much local opposition. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat who represents much of the Hudson Valley, said he will watch the current situation, “like a hawk – and I won’t let up until we’re certain that the river is safe from new anchorages.” Scenic Hudson Director of Environmental Advocacy Hayley Carlock said, “From what we can determine at this point, the Coast Guard has rightly found that new anchorages along the Hudson were not one of the agreed-upon recommendations to come out of the PAWSA workshops, and is immediately focusing on other measures including creating a Hudson River Safety Committee. While the Coast Guard is not moving forward with new anchorage regulations at this time, the report states that decisions have not been made on whether the Coast Guard will continue to push forward the ill-conceived anchorages proposal in the future. The workshops established that there is no current risk for which anchorages are the best or most appropriate solution. Safety on the river can be created without anchorages that would damage the Hudson’s natural resources, community assets and regional economies. We’ll stay active on this issue. We look forward to delving into all the details from the Coast Guard’s report.”
• WNYT reports that the body of a missing Rensselaer woman was located in the Hudson River March 10. Rensselaer police found 26-year-old Brianna Beebe, after she was missing two days, leaving all her personal belongings at home.
• The Stevens Institute reports temperatures this week in the Hudson River at Schodack Island were between 36 and 38 degrees, about the same as last week.
• Debby Mayer is reporting for The Columbia Paper Amtrak has proposed a fencing project along its right of way at the Hudson River, from Rhinebeck to Stuyvesant. The railroad has cited safety concerns as the reason for the fence. Germantown is concerned the plan will block access for recreation, fishing and fire protection and rescue. The town's Local Waterfront Study Committee made a statement on the Amtrak proposal during the Germantown Town Board meeting March 13. Kaare Christian, a waterfront committee member, explained that Amtrak wants to fence off a four-mile stretch between Lasher Park to the north, and Cheviot Park to the south, constructing a gate at either end. The 50- to 100-foot-wide space connects the two parks, and has historically been used by fishers, walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers and families that simply want an outing, he said. “It’s a real gem of an area, not crowded, but it is used.” Similar past proposals have failed, one as recently as 1991. The public comment period on the Amtrak proposal began on March 14, making comments due March 29. Supervisor Robert Beaury said he would ask the town board for permission to ask Amtrak for an extension of the comment period. “This seems to be moving very fast,” he said. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.
• The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Coast Guard released a 77-page report on Hudson River anchorages for large barges on March 13. At this time, the Coast Guard did not recommend adding the anchorages, but they did leave the door open for a future change in its Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment. Up to 43 crude oil barges could have anchored in the Hudson River under a proposal last summer that was scuttled after much local opposition. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat who represents much of the Hudson Valley, said he will watch the current situation, “like a hawk – and I won’t let up until we’re certain that the river is safe from new anchorages.” Scenic Hudson Director of Environmental Advocacy Hayley Carlock said, “From what we can determine at this point, the Coast Guard has rightly found that new anchorages along the Hudson were not one of the agreed-upon recommendations to come out of the PAWSA workshops, and is immediately focusing on other measures including creating a Hudson River Safety Committee. While the Coast Guard is not moving forward with new anchorage regulations at this time, the report states that decisions have not been made on whether the Coast Guard will continue to push forward the ill-conceived anchorages proposal in the future. The workshops established that there is no current risk for which anchorages are the best or most appropriate solution. Safety on the river can be created without anchorages that would damage the Hudson’s natural resources, community assets and regional economies. We’ll stay active on this issue. We look forward to delving into all the details from the Coast Guard’s report.”
• WNYT reports that the body of a missing Rensselaer woman was located in the Hudson River March 10. Rensselaer police found 26-year-old Brianna Beebe, after she was missing two days, leaving all her personal belongings at home.