Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, state Senators Nick Sacco (D-32) and Brian Stack (D-33), along with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, are joining Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla in urging Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to preserve Union Dry Dock.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We write to you to express our emphatic support for Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the City of Hoboken’s efforts to prevent a heavy refueling diesel depot at the Union Dry Dock property,” the Hudson officials wrote in a letter to Murphy sent out today.
“As elected officials in Hudson County, we urge you to consider the detrimental environmental impact this will have for the residents of Hoboken and the surrounding region.”
The letter comes less than a week after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a permit that would allow New York Waterway to move their ferry maintenance facility to Union Dry Dock – located on the Hoboken waterfront.
The six local elected leaders also note that while they appreciate Murphy’s efforts to make New Jersey an environmentally friendly, green state, allowing NY Waterway to move their facility would do the exact opposite of that.
“With President Trump dismantling environmental agreements that will have devastating long-term consequences for our country, as elected officials we must do everything possible to continue sound policies that combat federal inaction on this critical issue,” they added.
“Nowhere is this more important than in coastal communities like Hoboken, that are on the front lines of combating the effects of climate change and other challenges posed by the Hudson River.”
Further stating that such a change could create public safety concerns and negatively impact quality of life, the letter also reminds Murphy that a study by Boswell Engineering says that the refueling station would be better suited for Hoboken’s Lackawanna Terminal.
“As our leader, we enthusiastically support your agenda for a greener New Jersey, and we are both hopeful and confident that you will concur with the conclusions of experts that have studied this matter, and concluded that the Hoboken Terminal is the most appropriate location for New York Waterways refueling, repair and maintenance operations,” the letter concludes.
A spokeswoman for Murphy did not return an email seeking comment.
A copy of the full letter can be read here.
 and Fulop are joining Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla in urging Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to preserve Union Dry Dock. ){kind=link}