Hudson River Protection Act

This measure would stop vessels from dropping anchor in a defined stretch of the Hudson River unless they use anchorage areas that were already in place before January 1, 2021. It changes existing law so the Coast Guard Commandant must enforce this ban on that stretch, and it removes some older subsections in that part of the law. In plain terms, it aims to prevent new or expanded anchorage sites in that area of the river.

Key points

• Who is affected: Ship and barge operators on the Hudson River, and nearby river communities in the covered stretch.
• What changes: Anchoring is prohibited on that stretch unless it’s within anchorage grounds that existed before January 1, 2021; no new anchorages there.
• Where: A specific reach of the Hudson River defined in existing law (referenced in subsection (a) of the prior statute).