CORTLANDT, N.Y. – Populations of Atlantic sturgeon in the Hudson
River were added to the Endangered Species Act list on Jan. 31
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
Fisheries Service. Hudson River environmental groups are
applauding the decision, and say future conservation measures
could affect some of the Hudson River’s biggest industrial
operations. “This increased protection for Atlantic sturgeon has
implications for many of our key issues, including the newly
proposed reconstruction of the Tappan Zee Bridge," said Phillip
Musegaas, Hudson River program director for Riverkeeper, in a
provided statement. He said that Indian Point Power Plants in
Buchanan and a proposed desalination plant in Rockland's
Haverstraw Bay remain concerns for the organization. Acipenser
oxyrinchus, as the scientific community knows the Atlantic
sturgeon, are estuary dwelling fish which take more than 11
years to mature, can grow up to 14-feet long and live up to 60
years according to the NOAA. The fish is near