Hudson River - A No Discharge Area -- by the Half Moon Press

Dec./Jan., 2000 issue

Hudson River - A No Discharge Area The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency responded favorably to the request of Governor George E. Pataki recently and announced that a 153-mile stretch of the Hudson River be declared a No Discharge Area, prohibiting all sewage discharge from vessels.

"The Hudson River is a magnificent national treasure that continues to make a dramatic comeback," Governor Pataki said. Prohibiting the discharge of harmful wastes is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to restore the river."

Following a public comment period, a final determination will be made to declare the Hudson River, from the Battery in Manhattan north to the Troy Dam, a No Discharge Area. The EPA has determined that an adequate number of pumpout facilities exist to receive vessel waste. The river encompasses approximately 81,000 acres of tidal waters and wetlands.

The creation of a no discharge area for the Hudson River was recommended in the State Clean Vessel Act Plan prepared by the Department of State's Division of Coastal resources and the Hudson River Estuary Action Plan.

The Department of State will provide grants to local communities for boater education programs through the Clean Vessel Act program. Of the 35 pumpouts in this portion of the river, 22 were constructed using the CVA grant program. While the 35 pumpouts are adequate for the designation of a no discharge area, the State will continue to fund pumpout facilities on the Hudson River to increase convenience for boats.

Under current standards, vessels are prohibited from discharging untreated sewage. The No Discharge Area, will prohibit both treated and untreated vessel sewage. Treated wastes from vessels can have localized effects on water quality by contributing to pathogen, toxic and nutrient loadings. Treated wastes often contain chemical additives such as formaldehyde, phenyls, and chlorine.