[an error occurred while processing the directive] [an error occurred while processing the directive]
[an error occurred while processing the directive]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE98-04

March 12, 1998

Contact: Geoffrey Ryan (718/595-5371)

City Issues Revised Fishing and Boating Regulations

Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the City has issued revised regulations governing Fishing and Boating Permits and related activities at New York City's upstate reservoirs. Public hearings on the proposed amendments to the Fishing and Boating Regulations were held during January in New York City and at four locations in the upstate watersheds. The regulations become effective on March 15, 1998.

Commissioner Miele said, "The regulations were revised and completed after a departmental review of concerns expressed by reservoir anglers during the public comment period. Their comments helped us tailor the final regulations so that we can better protect the City's water supply, while ensuring continued use of City reservoirs for fishing. The reviewing committee is preparing a 'Response to Comments' document that will be sent to many interested parties, including everyone who took the trouble to comment on the proposed revisions."

Principal features of the amended regulations include:

  • Fishing permits may be obtained at any time during business hours from March 15th through October 15th each year, or by appointment from October 15th to November 30th at offices around the watershed and in New York City.
  • Boating permits may be obtained from March 15th to October 15th of each year. Applicants must personally appear with their boats for inspection and cleaning, which shall be by appointment only. For the second and all subsequent years, boating permits must be validated by DEP prior to launching the boat for the first time in the year, but no later than October 15th of that year. Validation may be done in person or by mail by submitting a stamped, self-addressed envelope with the current boating permit and a copy of the current New York State fishing license and New York City fishing permit. If the boat has been removed from City property during the previous year, it must be inspected and cleaned by DEP prior to the validation and placement of the boat on City property.
  • Permittees must notify DEP in advance of removing a boat from City property. The boat may not be returned to City property until the following year, after the boat has been inspected, steam cleaned and the boating permit has been validated. Only one reinspection per year is permitted.
  • Boats must be located at designated boat areas only. From December 1st to April 1st, boats may remain on City property in designated winter storage areas above the high water mark. Boats not properly placed may be removed and disposed of by DEP if the owner does not claim the boat and reimburse DEP for its expenses.
  • Dogs that are properly leashed or chained are permitted on City property, except in areas where signs indicate that dogs are prohibited. However, guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs are permitted even in posted areas when assisting disabled permittees or disabled minors accompanying permittees. No other pets are permitted on City property. Permittees must remove all feces left on City property by dogs under their control.
  • Disposition of cremated remains on City property is not permitted.

Additionally, the amended regulations codify penalties for specific violations of the regulations. Prior regulations provided only for suspension or revocation of permits without specifying an express penalty for each violation.

"I want to make it clear," said Commissioner Miele, "that these regulations apply only to the reservoirs and controlled lakes of the City's water supply system and the City-owned property surrounding them. They do not apply to the lands that the City buys under the provisions of the Watershed Memorandum of Agreement, except for those properties that are acquired as part of the buffer zones around reservoirs."

A copy of the amended Regulations may be obtained at any of the offices listed below.

For the convenience of applicants, Boating Permits may be obtained by advance appointment from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, March 15th through October 15th each year at the following Departmental offices:

Croton System Reservoirs
1 Belden Road and Route 6
Carmel
914/232-1309
Ashokan Reservoir
Route 28A
Shokan
914/657-2663
Schoharie Reservoir
Road 7
Roxbury
607/588-6631
Rondout & Neversink Reservoirs
Route 42
Grahamsville
914/985-2524
Pepacton & Cannonsville Reservoirs
Route 30
Downsville
607/363-7009/7010

Fishing Permits may be obtained at the above hours and locations except Schoharie. (Fishing Permits are only issued at the Schoharie office in conjunction with Boating Permits.)

Fishing Permits (not boating) may also be obtained during normal business hours Monday through Friday at:

NYCDEP
Bureau of Water & Energy Conservation
1250 Broadway (8th Floor)
New York, NY 10001
212/643-2172 or 212/643-2201
NYCDEP
One-Stop Center (First Floor)
96-05 Horace Harding Expressway
Corona, NY 11368
718/595-7778

 

[an error occurred while processing the directive]
 [an error occurred while processing the directive]
[an error occurred while processing the directive]