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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE03-11

March 7, 2003

Contact: Charles Sturcken (718) 595-6600

City To Reopen Kensico and New Croton Reservoirs To Fishing By Boat

Commissioner Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the Kensico and New Croton Reservoirs would reopen to fishing by boat under the DEP Access Permit system on May 1, 2003.

In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, all City-owned watershed properties were closed to the public and individual recreational permits were suspended as a security precaution. While other City reservoirs and lands were reopened for permitted public use in March of 2002, Kensico and New Croton, the terminal reservoirs of the New York City water supply system, remained closed to boats due to continuing security concerns.

“While our need to protect the City’s water supply continues, we have taken certain steps to provide greater security,” said Commissioner Ward. “These are the result of our on-going review of the water supply security program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Homeland Security and State agencies.” Commissioner Ward noted that “DEP has increased its police force and maintains a 24-hour state of alert throughout the watershed. In addition,” he said, “security measures are being implemented on the New Croton and Kensico Reservoirs that allow us to reopen them for boat use by DEP permit holders. Buoy lines, which delineate no trespassing areas, will be in place to establish security buffers, and observance of the buoy lines will be strictly enforced in order to protect the City's water resources.”

Commissioner Ward also encouraged DEP land-users to report any unusual or suspicious activity to the DEP Police. “DEP permit holders are a security resource,” he said. “Anglers, hunters, hikers and neighbors in the watershed play an important part in identifying and helping us respond to threats to the water supply. Suspicious activity near reservoirs and City-owned watershed lands can be reported by calling the DEP Police at 1-888-H2O-SHED (426-7433).”

All anglers at the Kensico and New Croton reservoirs must have valid DEP Access Permits as well as the appropriate New York State fishing license. Those wishing to fish by boat must present their boats to DEP for zebra mussel prevention measures and obtain additional DEP permits prior to putting a boat on a City reservoir or lake.

For further information on fishing, fishing by boat, hiking or hunting on City-owned watershed lands and waters, or to obtain permit applications, please visit our web site at nyc.gov/watershedrecreation or call the DEP Permit Office at 1-800-575-LAND.

 

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