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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16-40

May 11, 2016

Contact:

deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov (845) 334-7868

DEP Police to Offer Boater Safety Training at Pepacton Reservoir and New Croton Reservoir

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that it will host two boater safety workshops in May. The safety workshops, which will be hosted by the DEP Police Division, will include a session at Pepacton Reservoir on May 15 and one at New Croton Reservoir on May 22. Both will run from 10-11 a.m. The Pepacton Reservoir workshop will be located at the Shavertown Bridge boat launch, just off State Route 30 on the north side of the reservoir. And the workshop at New Croton Reservoir will be at the Croton Lake Gatehouse boat ramp off State Route 129 in Yorktown Heights.

“Thousands of boaters enjoy recreational opportunities on New York City reservoirs each year,” DEP Acting Commissioner Steven Lawitts said. “On rare occasions, boaters may run into severe weather, equipment problems or other factors that can be handled well if they are prepared and follow the best practices for boater safety. By hosting these workshops, DEP hopes to provide the knowledge that’s needed for boaters to have a safe and fun experience on our waters.”

Those who attend the workshops will learn about the following topics from DEP Police:

  • An overview of the rules and regulations that govern access to the City’s reservoirs.
  • State fishing regulations that apply for anglers who use the reservoir.
  • State navigation laws and the equipment required for boating.
  • Information on water safety and boating safety, including a demonstration on water self-rescue.
  • Information about DEP’s recreational programs.

Participants are encouraged to register for one of the boater safety workshops. Those interested in attending the session at Pepacton Reservoir can register by clicking here. Those wishing to attend at New Croton Reservoir can register by clicking here. More information can be obtained by calling (800)575-LAND.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of high quality water each day to roughly 9.5 million New Yorkers. This includes more than 70 upstate communities and institutions in Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties who consume an average of 110 million total gallons of drinking water daily from New York City’s water supply system. This water comes from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the City, and the system comprises 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes, and numerous tunnels and aqueducts. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 scientists, engineers, surveyors, watershed maintainers and other professionals in the upstate watershed. In addition to its $70 million payroll and $157 million in annual taxes paid in upstate counties, DEP has invested more than $1.7 billion in watershed protection programs—including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council—that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program with nearly $14 billion in investments planned over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

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