A provision that would permanently ban new oil barge anchorage in the lower Hudson River has advanced through the House of Representatives, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney on Tuesday announced. 

The measure was included in a larger omnibus bill for defense spending that now goes to the U.S. Senate. 

The ban would address new anchorages from Yonkers to Kingston and has been a long-sought goal of environmental groups. The move would affect 10 new anchorage sites in the lower portion of the river, including 42 long-term berths that would be used for storage.

“This is a victory for the Hudson Valley. I promised to ban oil barges from anchoring on the lower Hudson River, and I’m proud to announce today that this ban was officially passed through the House of Representatives with broad, bipartisan support,” Maloney said.

“We are the gatekeepers of the Hudson River, and it’s up to us to be good stewards of the river so New Yorkers can enjoy it for generations to come. I look forward to this provision passing the Senate, and urge the president to sign this bill into law.”