March 31, 2003

Contact: Charles G. Sturcken (718) 595-6600

DEP Reservoirs Available For New Fishing Season

Fishing By Boat On New Croton And Kensico Reservoirs Reopens May 1

Commissioner Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the start of the 2003 fishing season at New York City reservoirs. In keeping with new policies for use of watershed lands for recreational purposes, Commissioner Ward reminded all anglers that they are required to have a valid Access Permit issued by DEP in order to enter City-owned lands.

“We’re pleased to be able to open more than 33,000 acres of reservoirs for fishing on schedule this year,” Commissioner Ward said. “The last 18 months have been a challenge to balance security concerns for the water supply and the needs of the thousands of people who use the reservoirs for recreation,” said the Commissioner.

“One of the things working in our favor is that so many responsible people use the watershed lands regularly, and we trust that they can be counted on to report any suspicious activity in the area to the DEP police at (888) H2O-SHED (426-7433). But because the security plan is still evolving, there will be some minor changes this year in how access to the lands is managed.”

The most notable change is that fishing by boat at the Kensico and New Croton Reservoirs will resume on May 1. When boat access resumes, buoy lines will be in place to indicate newly secured areas that are off-limits to boaters. This new security procedure was announced by Commissioner Ward last month.

As in the past, people wishing to fish any reservoir by boat must first present their boats to DEP for zebra mussel prevention measures. In addition, this season existing boat permits and validation stickers will be replaced by a two-year boat sticker. To put your boat on a City reservoir, contact the DEP Land Management Office at the reservoir of interest at the following numbers to schedule an appointment: Ashokan (845) 657-2663; Schoharie (607) 588-6631; Rondout and Neversink (845) 985-2524; Cannonsville and Pepacton (607) 363-7009/7010; East of Hudson Reservoirs (914) 232-1309.

For further information on fishing, fishing by boat, hiking or hunting on City-owned watershed land and waters, or to obtain permit applications, please visit our web site at nyc.gov/watershedrecreation or call the DEP Permit Office at (800) 575-LAND.