Victory on the Hudson: Congressman Pat Ryan and Local Advocates Celebrate Success of Ryan’s Law That Permanently Bans Barges on the Hudson River

October 11, 2026 Press Release VICTORY ON THE HUDSON: Congressman Pat Ryan and Local Advocates Celebrate Success of Ryan’s Law that Permanently Bans Barges on the Hudson River After years of relentless advocacy by Congressman Ryan, bipartisan lawmakers, and local advocates, the “Hudson River Protection Act” – which permanently bans harmful, polluting barges from docking in the Hudson River – is now law Ryan joined local advocates, including representatives from Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson, to celebrate the community victory years in the making; Ryan first introduced the bill in 2023 following attempts to allow dangerous barges to anchor in the Hudson, contaminating drinking water for Hudson Valley residents and destroying the environment POUGHKEEPSIE, NY  – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan joined local experts and advocates to celebrate the success of his Hudson River Protection Act. After years of relentless advocacy by Congressman Ryan, bipartisan elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels, and community experts and advocates, Ryan’s bill permanently banning harmful, polluting barges from docking in the Hudson is now law. Ryan first introduced the Hudson River Protection Act in 2023, following attempts to erode protections preventing harmful, polluting barges from using the Hudson River as a parking lot – threatening to contaminate drinking water for more than 100,000 Hudson Valley residents and destroy the environment. He has been fighting for years, alongside the Hudson Valley community – with the invaluable partnership of organizations including Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson – to advance this legislation. “If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s making sure our drinking water is clean and that our Hudson River is safe and protected. For far too long, big corporations have polluted and put at risk our precious River in pursuit of profits. But not anymore. The Hudson is more than a river – it’s the lifeblood and the heartbeat of our community,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Today we celebrated the years of effort by every single member of our Hudson Valley community. I especially want to thank my partners at Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson for their tireless work and commitment to protecting the Hudson. Never again will big corporations be able to turn our River into a parking lot for dangerous barges, polluting the drinking water for 100,000 of our neighbors. This victory proves that when the Hudson Valley stands up with one voice to demand change, we can accomplish anything.” “As the Coast Guard reviews comments and finalizes its rulemaking barring new anchorages along the Hudson River, we look back to celebrate the Hudson River Protection Act as a powerful testament to what we can accomplish when communities come together to defend the river they depend on,” said Riverkeeper Associate Director of Government Affairs Jeremy Cherson. “For nearly a decade, Riverkeeper and thousands of New Yorkers have fought to ensure that the Hudson is protected from the risks posed by new commercial vessel anchorages. This law honors that persistence by safeguarding critical habitat, protecting drinking water for more than 100,000 people, and making clear that the Hudson is not a place for industrial exploitation. We’re grateful to Congressman Pat Ryan, our partners, and the countless Hudson Valley residents who raised their voices and refused to let the river’s future be put at risk.” “The Hudson 7 is an intermunicipal council representing seven Mid-Hudson municipalities that rely on the Hudson River as a drinking water source. More than 107,000 people in Dutchess and Ulster Counties depend on the river for their drinking water, with five treatment plants drawing directly from the Hudson to serve communities including Rhinebeck, Esopus, Lloyd, Hyde Park, and Poughkeepsie,” said Gary Bassett, Mayor of the Village of Rhinebeck and Chair of the Hudson 7. “The river doesn’t follow municipal boundaries. A spill doesn’t stop at a town line, and a flood doesn’t stop at a county line. Protecting this shared resource requires regional cooperation and strong federal leadership. Today, we thank Congressman Ryan for his sustained leadership in advancing the Hudson River Protection Act.” “Residents of Ulster County have a deep and abiding appreciation for the Hudson River. County Executive Metzger recognizes and supports the more than 9,000 county residents who draw their drinking water from the Hudson River, and the thousands more who enjoy fishing, boating, picnicking, and hiking along the waterfront. On behalf of the Department of Environment, we express our appreciation to Congressman Ryan and the advocacy groups who worked tirelessly to secure passage of this legislation,” said Andy Bicking, Director of Ulster County’s Department of Environment. “Without the Hudson River Protection Act, our river was at risk of becoming a busy highway and parking lot for marine vessels carrying crude oil or other dangerous cargo. Scenic Hudson is proud to have partnered with Congressman Ryan to finally put an end to this threat. The Hudson River Protection Act, introduced and championed by the Congressman, will permanently prevent efforts to add new upper Hudson River anchorages, protecting the ecological health of the river and the health of those who rely on it for drinking water and recreation. Scenic Hudson will continue to partner with our friends in the Hudson Valley, Albany, and Washington to vigilantly protect this critical waterway,” said Carli Fraccarolli, Scenic Hudson's Government Relations Manager. Congressman Ryan’s “Hudson River Protection Act” bans additional barge anchorages in the Hudson, which pollute the drinking water for more than 100,000 Hudson Valley residents and damage the Hudson’s diverse ecosystem. In 2023, when the Coast Guard issued an Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) signaling an attempt to erode protections preventing commercial vessels from anchoring in the Hudson River, Ryan immediately raised the alarm , warning of devastating environmental and health impacts for the river ecosystem and broader community . After a more than two month delay, Michael Emerson, the Director of Marine Transportation Systems, provided a woefully insufficient response that left the door open for dangerous oil barges to line the Hudson. In October of 2023, Ryan was joined by Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson and the Hudson 7 in demanding the Coast Guard uphold the anchoring ban. Ryan gave a speech on the House Floor , calling on Hudson Valley families to join the fight and shared a form for those interested to register their opinion. The new MSIB , issued in November 2023 in response to overwhelming community outrage, temporarily paused the Coast Guard’s plan to allow dangerous barges to line the Hudson River but doubled down on their plan to allow unlimited anchoring in the future. Congressman Ryan’s greatest concern has been that the Hudson River serves as the primary water supply for seven communities in his district, and serves as the backup drinking water supply for our nation’s largest city, New York City. Additionally, more oil barges on the Hudson will increase the risks of a catastrophic spill. This is especially concerning for the more than 100,000 people that draw their drinking water from the Hudson River. Barges often carry oil, asphalt, and other hazardous materials, which pollute the river with their noisy generators and “stadium” lighting. The Hudson River and its connected waters are also home to more than 200 species of fish and provide spawning and nursery habitat for striped bass, shad, and herring that support fisheries up and down the entire Atlantic coast. The River has seen significant efforts to restore the habitats of endangered fish species which are jeopardized by barge anchors dragging along the River bottom. President Trump signed the “Hudson River Protection Act” into law as part of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), wherein Congressman Ryan secured numerous other wins including a pay raise for troops . ### Issues : Clean Air, Soil, and Water for All