Hudson River Coal Tar Pollution Under Review

The Hudson River is currently under scrutiny due to coal tar contamination from a former manufactured gas plant. This pollution spans several acres of river bottom, both north and south of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park. The contamination has been a concern for over a century, as reported by Riverkeeper.

Coal tar, a byproduct of gas manufacturing, has been surfacing in the form of rainbow sheens visible from above. These sheens are a result of bubbles of coal tar rising to the surface, as noted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Efforts to address this issue include a Natural Resource Damage Assessment, which aims to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the necessary steps for remediation. The DEC is working to protect the Hudson River and its communities from further environmental threats, such as anchor strikes and spills.

The review of the coal tar contamination is part of a broader initiative to clean up decades of pollution and prevent future environmental harm. This requires a combination of scientific understanding, legal action, and sustained advocacy from organizations like Riverkeeper.