August 2, 2002

Contact: Geoff Ryan (718) 595-6600

DEP Issues Reminder On Public Access Permits

Commissioner Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a reminder today that people who want to use City-owned lands in the watersheds of its upstate reservoirs must have Public Access Permits.

"Public Access Permits are a prerequisite for use of DEP's lands in the watershed, whether it be for hunting, hiking or fishing," said Commissioner Ward. "You must have a Public Access Permit to fish or hike at any City-owned property that has been opened for such uses. You must have a Public Access Permit before you apply for a Boat Permit. And you must have a Public Access Permit, as well as a New York State Hunting License, before you apply for a DEP Hunting Permit."

Public Access Permits may be obtained by submitting an application to the DEP through the U.S. mail. PAP applications are available at the following locations:

• The DEP web site at www.nyc.gov/watershedrecreation;

DEP Police Precincts:

• Ashokan Precinct, Beaverkill Road, Shokan, NY (off Route 28A);
• Beerston Precinct, 21939 State Highway 10, Walton, NY (south of Walton near Beersbrook Rd.);
• Croton Precinct, 900 Croton Lake Road, Yorktown Heights, NY (Route 129, 1.5 miles southeast of the Taconic Parkway);
• Downsville Precinct, 22 NYC Highway 30A, Downsville, NY;
• Neversink Precinct, 780 Divine Corners Rd., Hurleyville, (off Route 105, Neversink, NY);

DEP Protection Offices [available in boxes outside the offices]:

• Croton (East of Hudson) Reservoirs, 54 Croton Falls Road, Mahopac, NY;
• Ashokan Reservoir, Beaverkill Road and Route 28A, Shokan, NY;
• Rondout & Neversink Reservoirs, Route 42, Grahamsville, NY;
• Pepacton & Cannonsville Reservoirs, just off Highway 30, Downsville, NY;

DEP Offices [Normal business hours Monday-Friday]:

• 71 Smith Ave., Kingston, NY.
• Bureau of Customer Services, 1250 Broadway (8th Floor), New York, NY;
• One-Stop Center (First Floor), 96-05 Horace Harding Expressway, Corona, NY.

Additionally, many town halls and bait and tackle shops within the NYC Watershed carry PAP application forms.