William J. Kemble reports in The Daily Freeman that Rhinebeck officials added time to comment on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposals to create tide-controlling barriers in New York Harbor. They are trying to prevent storm surges in New York City, but environmental advocates warn about impacts up the Hudson River. Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said at a Rhinebeck town meeting Aug. 13 that, “We need to know what the ramifications are and we need more public input.... Some of storm barriers could cut off the tidal flow of our river, and that would be devastating. The river would die. It’s a tidal river.” Currently there is an Aug. 20 deadline for comments on the proposals. Written comments should be sent to NYNJHarbor.TribStudy@usace.army.mil. They also can be sent by postal mail to Nancy Brighton, Watershed Section, Environmental Analysis Branch Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2151, New York, N.Y. 10279-0090. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.