Get recreational use permits at CWC

MARGARETVILLE, NY, October 2, 2006 - Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the great outdoors and the Catskill Watershed Corporation is ready to help you get out there.

Bring your drivers license or photo ID to the corporation’s offices at 905 Main Street, Margaretville (Delaware County), and a CWC staff member will gladly go on line to secure an instant recreational use permit to allow you to hunt, fish or hike on New York City-owned lands in the five-county Catskill-Delaware Watershed.

The permit and accompanying vehicle tag will be laminated and trimmed, and a list of recreation areas and designated uses provided. Maps of specific areas of interest can also be quickly obtained on the DEP’s website, so you can walk out the door and head for the hills. (Please note: In addition to general use permits, hunters must obtain DEP and NYS hunting tags in order to hunt on City lands.)

Commented CWC Executive Director Alan Rosa, "Encouraging responsible recreational use of public lands is a wise use of resources, a healthy outlet for residents and visitors, and a way to boost economic activity in the Watershed."

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently eased its application process so that permits are obtainable in just a few minutes on the internet. More than 74,000 acres of city land is now open to the public, with 36,000 acres available for deer hunting, 7,700 acres for small game hunting, and 25,000 acres and 21 reservoirs available for fishing.

Hikers, snowshoers, birdwatchers, cross-country skiers and other outdoor lovers with valid permits also have access to thousands of acres of city land.

Of course, anyone with access to a computer can obtain a permit and recreational use information. To find out which management units are available for hunting, fishing and hiking, go to (www.nyc.gov/watershedrecreation). Once a permit is issued and printed, you can enter your permit number to obtain maps of individual units showing access points, elevation, streams and roads. You can also sign up for email updates.

The minimum age of access permit and hunting tag eligibility has been lowered from 16 to 14 with parental consent. Non-drivers must use a government issued picture ID to obtain a permit.

Rules governing activities on City lands are also available on the DEP website, and at the DEP’s four WOH land management offices. For more information call Ashokan 845-657-2663; Downsville 607-363-7009; Gilboa 607-588-6631; or Grahamsville 845-985-0386.

The CWC is a non-profit local development corporation with the dual goal of protecting water quality and preserving communities in the West-of-Hudson New York City Watershed. For information on CWC benefit programs and activities, go to www.cwconline.org, or call 845-586-1400, or toll-free, 877-928-7433.