Department of Environmental Protection Announces Start of 2015 Recreational Boating Season at Four Reservoirs in the Catskills
Thousands of boaters from the watershed, New York City and beyond have paddled or sailed on reservoirs since the program began in 2012
Rental boats, incentive patch encourage more people to participate in unique outdoor experience
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently announced that the 2015 recreational boating program is underway on four water supply reservoirs in the Catskills. The popular outdoor program, now in its fourth year, has attracted thousands of boaters to paddle or sail on the Cannonsville, Pepacton, Neversink and Schoharie reservoirs. 2015 will also mark an expansion of the popular rental program to include rental boats at Cannonsville Reservoir for the first time. The rental program, administered by the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), allows local businesses to store and rent recreational boats alongside the reservoirs. The convenience of rentals attracted more than 350 boaters last year, supported local businesses with thousands of dollars in revenue, and significantly improved access for visitors to the Catskills. DEP and CWC are also improving popular launch sites this year by providing storage racks for those avid boaters who keep their kayaks or canoes at the reservoirs throughout the season.
“I encourage all our neighbors in the watershed and in New York City to take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with our water supply and experience the scenic beauty of the Catskill Mountains,” DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd said. “Since DEP began the recreational boating program the City has continued to work with our partners at CWC to expand and improve access, and with the county tourism agencies to encourage more visitors to paddle or sail on the reservoirs. These efforts have resulted in more boaters each year.”
“We’re happy once again to support and encourage outdoor fun and exercise through the boating program, and we hope visitors will stay awhile to enjoy the other great activities the Catskills have to offer,” CWC Executive Director Alan Rosa said.
“The Sullivan County Catskills applauds the DEP for this tremendously successful partnership program,” Sullivan County Visitors Association President Roberta Byron-Lockwood said. “The recreational opportunities on these reservoirs and the lands that surround them provide us with an exceptional quality of life for our residents and unique outdoor recreational experiences for our visitors. The recreational boating program has given visitors another good reason to come to the Catskill Region.”
“As Memorial Day arrives, so does the opening of the Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs to recreational boating,” Delaware County Tourism Director Sonia Janiszewski said. “It is the signaling of summer and the kick-off to Catskills getaways. Here in Delaware County, travelers experience these reservoirs while afloat, surrounded by towering mountains and stunning views. It is our hope that travelers will come for the water and stay for historical and cultural activities, a growing culinary and agricultural scene and the many other outdoors activities, from hiking and biking to birding and golfing, here in the Catskills.”
The 1,182 boating trips in 2014 marked another record year for boating on the four reservoirs. It was a 108-visit increase from the previous year. DEP issued 827 temporary or seasonal tags to boaters, including 535 kayaks, 236 canoes, 43 rowboats, and 13 sailboats. Including boat rentals, Pepacton Reservoir attracted 701 boating visits, the most of any reservoir, followed by 266 at Neversink, 116 at Schoharie, and 99 at Cannonsville. More than 59 percent of the recreational boating tags issued by DEP went to residents of the five watershed counties, including Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster. About 15 percent of the tags were issued to residents of New York City or Long Island. Visitors from nine states also received tags, including Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
In 2014, rental boats were available from 10 launch sites alongside the four reservoirs and the businesses that participated rented 355 boats. The rental program is administered with significant help from the CWC, which funded the acquisition of 30 storage racks for the rental boats. CWC also administers the process to vet and approve businesses that applied to participate in the rental program.