Westchester County Officials Fight Coast Guard Plan To Anchor Barges Along Hudson River

YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Several mayors in Westchester County have formed an alliance in opposition to a Coast Guard proposal that would anchor barges in the Hudson River.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said the Hudson River Waterfront Alliance aims to protect waterfront communities and make sure the river isn't turned into a "parking lot for barges."

"We don't know how long these barges will be anchored here, we don't know how they'll be regulated, we don't know what is the system in place to monitor their safety," Spano said.

"We don't want to go backwards. This has been transformational what's happened over the last 10 - 15 years to really clean up the river and make it a place that's suitable for tourism, recreation and living," Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenbeg said.

The group has launched a petition to ban the barges.

The shipping industry said the anchorages are necessary to allow them to safely navigate the river.

The Coast Guard is accepting public comments online until next month.

U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are calling on the Coast Guard to hold public hearings.

In:
• Hudson River