Record reservoir boating season

Posted 8/21/12

NEW YORK STATE — The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on November 7 announced that a total of 1,668 boats were used in 2016 through its recreational boating program in the …

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Record reservoir boating season

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NEW YORK STATE — The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on November 7 announced that a total of 1,668 boats were used in 2016 through its recreational boating program in the Catskills, another all-time high for the program since it began in 2012. This year also marked the first time that kayaks and canoes rented from local businesses in the Catskills accounted for the majority of boats used on the four reservoirs, a trend that underscores the program’s support of local tourism and outdoor recreation economies.

Overall participation in the recreational boating program represented a 14% increase from the previous year, during which 1,463 boats were used. That increase was driven by the success of the rental program, which allows visitors to rent a kayak or canoe from one of six businesses in the Catskills that store pre-cleaned rental boats alongside the reservoirs. Local businesses rented a total of 912 boats in 2016, an increase of 34% from the previous year. The rental program, administered in partnership with the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), began in 2013 to provide easier boating access for visitors to the Catskills and for local residents who don’t own a boat. It has also helped support local businesses by providing a new source of revenue.

The recreational boating program at Cannonsville, Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie reservoirs complements the traditional use of metal rowboats for fishing, which has been permitted for decades on all New York City reservoirs.

“This year’s results show that our recreational boating program in the Catskills is hitting two important marks,” DEP Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza said. “The program is providing more revenue to local tourism businesses and outdoor equipment shops, and it is making this type of recreation more accessible and affordable for those who don’t own a boat. Paddling or sailing on New York City’s reservoirs in the Catskills continues to attract people who want to explore the scenic beauty of the region.”

“DEP’s recreational boating program plays an important role in promoting tourism to our area, and we continue to highlight and encourage use of this outdoor opportunity,” said Roberta Byron-Lockwood, president and CEO of the Sullivan County Visitors Association. “Hundreds of visitors rented boats at the Neversink Reservoir this year, and there has been an uptick of visitors to the Roscoe-Livingston Manor area in connection to boating at Pepacton Reservoir.”

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