FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE00-05
February
15 , 2000
Contact:
Geoff Ryan
(718/595-5371)
Successful
Deer Hunting Season On City's Watershed Properties
Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) gave a brief report today on the
1999 deer hunting season on the City's watershed lands. While the
City has allowed hunting on 10,300 acres at the Cannonsville Reservoir
for over 20 years, 1999 was the first year that the City had opened
up some of its newly acquired watershed properties, as well as some
original buffer land near the Pepacton Reservoir.
"When the City signed the historic Watershed Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) in January 1997," said Commissioner Miele, "DEP
agreed to review with local communities, the Sporting Advisory Committees,
the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Federal
Environmental Protection Agency all newly acquired lands for possible
recreational uses and to make recommendations for appropriate activities.
DEP also agreed to review lands the City owned prior to the MOA for
possible recreational purposes. I am pleased to report that DEP made
lands available for hunting, hiking and fishing this past year and
that, based on the success of the programs so far and our continuing
progress in acquiring lands in the watershed, we expect to open more
areas to the public for recreational opportunities later this year."
On April 1, 1999, in addition to the traditional fishing activities
at the reservoirs, DEP allowed access to 1,395 acres of post-MOA land
for fishing purposes. In June, DEP opened 1,374 post-MOA acres for
hiking. In November, in addition to the 10,300 acres of land at the
Cannonsville Reservoir, DEP expanded public opportunities for hunting
to five new areas totaling over 3,100 acres 2,200 acres of pre-MOA
lands and 930 acres of post-MOA lands. The hunting areas totaling
13,416 acres, or 24% of all City water supply lands are located
in the towns of Kent (Putnam County); Olive and Shandaken (Ulster
County); Andes, Colchester, Walton, Tompkins, and Deposit (Delaware
County).
Martin Donnelly, Andes Town Supervisor, said, "Mayor Giuliani
promised to review access to the Pepacton Reservoir for deer hunting
this year. Then, kept his word that, if it was possible, it would
be opened up. Commissioner Miele and his staff at DEP worked together
with the Tremperskill Hunting and Fishing Club to make this program
run at the Pepacton Reservoir. We applaud Mayor Giuliani, Commissioner
Miele and his staff for their vision and for their cooperation with
New York State sportsmen."
In 1999, DEP issued 930 hunting permits and 415 hiking permits.
The newly opened fishing areas were open to holders of City fishing
permits. All areas were monitored by DEP Police, Inspectors and Stewardship
staff. Additionally, members of the Tremperskill Hunting and Fishing
Club helped out by advising visitors to the Flynn Brook area the
2,200 acres at the Pepacton Reservoir about good access points,
parking areas and the rugged terrain at the site.
"Hunter turnout appeared to be relatively low," said Commissioner
Miele, "probably due to unseasonably warm weather. With few exceptions,
compliance with permit conditions was good. DEP Police, in conjunction
with a State Environmental Conservation Officer, confiscated two deer
and a rifle and issued summonses to hunters who lacked appropriate
permits. Additionally, two hunters were issued summonses for trespassing
on City-owned lands that were not open for hunting. Other than these
and a couple of other minor violations of City regulations, the season
passed without incident.
"While the primary purpose of opening lands for hunting was
to expand recreational opportunities in the watershed," Commissioner
Miele continued, "reducing the size of the deer herd may also
benefit water quality. DEP Ecologists, Foresters, and Wildlife Biologists
have observed signs of excessive browsing pressure by oversized deer
herds at reservoirs around the watershed. When saplings, shrubs and
other plants of the forest understory are overgrazed by deer, soil
is easily eroded, vegetation no longer filters out pollutants, and
the ability of the forest to regenerate is seriously damaged. A healthy
forest and stable soils are crucial to the maintenance of drinking
water quality."
"I can say without reservation that the 1999 deer hunting program
on City-owned lands proved to be successful, and we look forward to
future seasons with expanded opportunities."