Congressman Lawler's Hudson River Protection Act Passes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

by M.C. Milman 

The Hudson River Protection Act introduced by Representatives Lawler, Ryan, and Molinaro, as previously reported by Rockland Daily here, passed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. The bill is now teeing up for a vote on the House floor in the coming months. 

This legislation would amend the 2020 Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act, removing any uncertainty related to geographic definitions (such as the Port of New York) and banning additional anchorages once and for all. 

"The Hudson River Protection Act will go a long way to preserving the natural beauty of our Hudson Valley communities - something that has been a top priority of mine from day one," says Congressman Lawler. "I was glad to see the Hudson River Protection Act pass the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. I’m going to continue working with my Hudson Valley neighbors and colleagues Pat Ryan and Marc Molinaro to make sure our crucial legislation becomes law."

The legislation became necessary after a recent Coast Guard information bulletin redefined the Port of New York and classified the area north of the Tappan Zee as subject to the Coast Guard's "Inland Navigation Rules," opening virtually the entire area to anchorage barges as reported by Rockland Daily here.

"Getting anything through this Congress is not easy. But we owe it to our kids, our seniors, and future generations to fight tooth and nail to protect our Hudson River and get this bill across the finish line," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "Never again will big corporations be able to turn our Hudson River into a parking lot for dangerous barges. This victory proves that when our community stands up with one voice to demand change, we can accomplish anything."