Conservation Update 

November 20, 2007

ADK, NYNJTC Applaud Opening of Catskill Watershed Lands

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NYNJTC) welcomed New York City’s decision to open 11,000 acres of watershed land in the Catskills for hiking and other recreational purposes.

“This plan opens up great opportunities for New Yorkers and others to use and enjoy these wild places, while still protecting the water supply for New York City’s residents,” said ADK Executive Director Neil F. Woodworth. “We applaud Mayor Bloomberg, city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Emily Lloyd and state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis for making this happen.”

The city owns more than 100,000 acres around its reservoirs in the Catskills, but generally requires permits for access to city-owned land. Under an agreement between DEC and New York City, the city will open lands adjacent to state Forest Preserve lands for hiking, hunting, fishing and trapping.

The policy change is scheduled to take effect with the opening of the 2008 hunting season. DEC hunting, fishing and trapping licenses will be the only permits required to use the lands. No permit will be needed for hiking.

DEC also agreed to patrol watershed lands to enforce regulations and protect the environment.

The plan will open up about 4,650 acres in Ulster County, 2,900 acres in Delaware County, 2,500 acres in Greene County, 400 acres in Sullivan County and 250 acres in Schoharie County.

For several years, ADK and the NYNJTC have advocated for recreational access to city watershed lands in the Catskills.

“Responsible recreation is critical to preserving wild places because it creates a constituency of users with a vested interest in protecting the resource,’’ Woodworth said. “Many of ADK and the Trail Conference's 100,000 members hike frequently in the Catskills, and they are among the most ardent advocates for the environment of the region.”