Riverkeeper Supports Proposed Consent Decree Modification

Riverkeeper, an environmental organization dedicated to the protection of the Hudson River and its tributaries, has reached an agreement with the Village of Hastings and BP/ARCO on a proposed Consent Decree Modification for the harbor at Hastings site.

This area is one of the most contaminated locations along the Hudson River and a massive source of toxic PCBs.

The new Consent Decree, once approved by the federal district court, will pave the way for thorough cleanup of both the Hastings waterfront and the Hudson River.

“We have an opportunity to turn the ‘birthplace of PCBs’ into a healthy ecosystem,” said Paul Gallay, President of Riverkeeper.“We have an opportunity to invest in fish habitat restoration, access to the river and enjoyment of the water.”

“Riverkeeper will now dedicate itself to making sure the design and implementation of this cleanup removes as much of the toxic PCBs contamination from the river as possible, without causing undue harm to the environment or human health,” added Riverkeeper Staff Attorney Abigail Jones.

Riverkeeper’s fight for cleanup at the former Anaconda Wire and Cable Company site dates back to its earliest years as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, founded 50 years ago.

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