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Many New York City Water Supply reservoirs and lands are open to the public for low-impact recreational activities.
In order to responsibly provide recreation access to City property , DEP issues a comprehensive permit — The Access Permit — that allows for fishing and hiking on certain designated areas in the watershed. Access Permit holders may also obtain a DEP Hunting Tag for deer hunting and a DEP Boat Tag for keeping a rowboat at one of the reservoirs for fishing.
You can now obtain a NYCDEP Access Permit online! Just fill out the online form, and print out your permit from NYCDEP's Watershed Recreation webpage . It is now that simple! You can also download some basic maps of some of the parcels open for recreation.
Fishing and Boating
Boating for the purposes of fishing is allowed on NYC reservoirs to those with the appropriate DEP permits. Anglers must store their fishing boats at designated storage areas. All boats must be approved and registered with DEP. People who want to register a new boat must first obtain a valid Access Permit and then call the Land Management Office near the reservoir of interest to make a steam cleaning and registration appointment (There is no cost for this service, which must be performed by DEP):
- Ashokan Reservoir: (845) 657-2663
- Schoharie Reservoir: (607) 588-6231
- Rondout and Neversink Reservoirs: (845) 985-0386
- Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs: (607) 363-7009
Hunting on Water Supply Lands
DEP allows deer hunting under the Access Permit system on designated City water supply lands. DEP Hunting Tags are issued annually to valid DEP Access Permit holders who apply or who complete the prior year’s hunting survey by the due date. DEP Access Permit holders who wish to apply for the current season’s DEP Hunting Tag may do so starting in late summer of each year by mailing a completed DEP Hunting Tag application or sending an e-mail request including their Access Permit number to the DEP Access Permit Office. Hunters must also possess a valid New York State hunting license for deer. In 2006-07, NYCDEP has also piloted a program for small-game hunting - to learn more about this program, click on the link that follows. To print a complete copy of the current regulations governing Hunting on New York City Water Supply Lands, to see maps of the open parcels, and to learn more about the program, click here.
Hiking on Water Supply Lands
Hiking is not allowed at or around any of the New York City reservoirs, but a number of other City properties throughout the watershed are open for hiking. People must have a valid Access Permit in order to enter these areas and they must agree to abide by the following permit conditions. To print a complete copy of the current Interim Permit Conditions Governing Hiking on New York City Water Supply Lands, to see maps of the open parcels, and to learn more about the program, click here.
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