NYC, state agree to expand access to Catskill watershed lands

About 11,000 acres of New York City-owned land adjacent to State Forest Preserve land in the Catskills will be open to hiking, hunting, fishing and trapping without the need for a city permit under a cooperative agreement between the city and the state. State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis and City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Commissioner Emily Lloyd announced that DEC will patrol the city watershed property to enforce regulations, help protect the environment, and further assist in the management of these lands. The change will be in effect for the 2008-2009 hunting season.

Activities such as hiking, hunting and fishing will now be allowed on NYC-owned land in the Catskills

"As a long-time angler on streams in the city watershed,

know how important it is to the local tourism economies and the sporting community to have consistent access policies when it comes to city and state lands within the Catskill Park," DEC Commissioner Grannis said. "This agreement is a tremendous step towards eliminating barriers to recreation on city-owned lands, and easing the way for people to enjoy the region."

New York State owns more than 200,000 acres in the city's watershed west of the Hudson River, the vast majority of which is located within the Catskill Forest Preserve. This forested land has been successfully managed by DEC for many decades to allow residents and visitors to enjoy passive recreational activities without the need for special access permits.

Generally however, city permits are required for access to city-owned land in the watershed. Under this agreement, scheduled to begin in fall 2008, applicable state hunting, fishing and trapping licenses will be the only permits needed on city lands. No permit will be necessary for hiking.