August 11, 2006

Contact: Ian Michaels (718) 595-6600

PRESS ADVISORY

DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd at Delaware County Fair to Announce Major Changes to Recreation on Water Supply Lands

Improved Access and Expanded Recreation Opportunities

Will Demonstrate New Online Permit System That Provides Instant Access to City Watershed Property

DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd will announce greatly improved access and expanded recreational activities on City water supply lands.  New recreation rules will allow more people to access the City’s land faster and will increase opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating and the use of motor vehicles and historic trails.

Commissioner Lloyd will also demonstrate the DEP’s new online permit system, which starting Monday will provide instant Access Permits and Vehicle Tags from the City’s watershed recreation Web site at www.nyc.gov/watershedrecreation.  Instant Access Permits will be available at the DEP booth until the end of the Fair.

Over 100,000 people currently have Access Permits, over 11,000 have Hunt Tags and over 10,000 have Boat Tags for City property and reservoirs.  An expanded hunting program for small game, turkey and bear on DEP lands begins September 1st.  The DEP has over 74,000 acres of protected watershed land open for recreation.