Four Reservoirs in the Catskills to allow canoe, kayak rentals

The agency that regulates New York City’s upstate water supplies says boat rental companies can now store canoes and kayaks along four reservoirs in the Catskills. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection says that’s a first and should help promote tourism in the area.

It says about a dozen businesses are apparently interested in setting up shop on the Cannonsville, Pepacton, Neversink and Schoharie reservoirs. The DEP has already arranged for 30 racks, each of which would hold four boats, and will be taking proposals from businesses.

Another benefit is that the boats won’t have to be steam-cleaned to prevent the spread of invasive species since they won’t be used elsewhere. Personal boats brought to the reservoirs must be cleaned. All boaters must get DEP permits before hitting the water.

source: The Leader.com

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DEC seeks comments on Kaaterskill Wild Forest / Greene County trail plan

By ARIEL ZANGLA, Daily Freeman, link to original post

Comments are being sought on a draft amendment to the Kaaterskill Wild Forest Unit Management Plan that would allow for one mile of newly designated trails to connect state lands with the Kaaterskill Rail Trail.

“We are very pleased to propose this plan amendment, which will allow for improved public enjoyment of the forest preserve,” state Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Gene Kelly said in a press release. “Once completed, this rail trail extension will run from the hamlet of Haines Falls to the site of the former Laurel House Hotel and then connect with trails leading to DEC’s North/South Lake Campground.”

In all, one mile of newly designated multiple-use trails in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest are proposed for non-motorized recreation purposes, the Department of Environmental Conservation said. The agency said the system would be developed in two phases, the first of which would entail construction of the trail between Haines Falls and Old Laurel House at the south end of Laurel House Road. The second phase would continue the trail to the east and require construction of a bridge across Spruce Creek, the agency said. The agency said local user groups plan to raise funds and apply for grants to fund the bridge.

The bridge would link the trail to the Escarpment Trail that is part of North/South Lake, said Michelle Yost, watershed assistance program coordinator for the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District.

“It’s wonderful,” Yost said of the proposed plan amendment. She said the proposal would allow for the connection of the Kaaterskill Rail Trail to state land. Yost added that the Kaaterskill Rail Trail will open June 1.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting comments on the proposed amendment until May 17. Comments can be sent to Frank Parks, Senior Forester, NYSDEC, 65561 state Highway 10, Suite 1, Stamford, N.Y. 12167, or via email at r4ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us. The draft plan amendment is available online at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/80993.html.

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The Catskill Mountain Rail Trail Gets Funding

Saugerties Post Star, link to original post

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk announced that the budget passed by the Senate 3/27/13 includes $2 million in funding for The Catskill Mountain Rail Trail (CMRT) project in Ulster County.  She said the trail would be a tremendous boost to the local business community and help strengthen the entire region’s economy.

Senator Tkaczyk said, “The growing popularity of rail trails presents a great economic development opportunity. Local rail trails attract hundreds of thousands of visitors who pump millions of dollars into the local economy, help to grow local businesses and create new jobs. I’m happy to have helped secure this funding, because I think it will do great things for the entire region.”

Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein said, “This is very exciting news for all the residents of Ulster County. In addition to creating recreational opportunities, the Rail Trail will boost tourism and economic development and really have an overall positive effect on our quality of life. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Senator Tkaczyk, Senator Larkin  and the Governor’s office, we are a step closer to developing a true world-class tourism destination.”

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said, “The long discussed Catskill Mountain Rail Trail will finally have the opportunity to become a reality with this and another past $1 million apportionment.  This great resource will improve rail trail access to unprecedented levels.  Senator Tkaczyk has become a strong advocate for this important attraction in her short time as a New York State legislator and I look forward to working with her until this project spans from Kingston straight through the heart of the Catskills to the County line.”

The Catskill Mountain Rail Trail project will upgrade the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor into a recreational trail.  The project will focus initially on developing the CMRT within the City of Kingston and connecting Kingston neighborhoods to the Ashokan Reservoir (approximately 8 miles), where the CMRT would run westward along the length of the Reservoir (an additional 10 miles).  Subsequent phases of the project could extend the CMRT a total of 38-miles from Kingston to the Delaware County border.

The CMRT will provide significant economic development and quality life benefits to the Catskill and Hudson Valley regions and boost economic revitalization efforts in the City of Kingston.  The project will expand the region’s growing network of trails and other trails and to  the Walkway Over the Hudson.  The CMRT will provide Kingston residents with “no car required” recreational opportunities which encourage expanded outdoor activity and promote healthier neighborhoods.

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Enjoy hiking with children – Don’t push them if they’re tired; take breaks often

by Tom Rankin, Poughkeepsie Journal, link to original post

You’ve probably seen TV ads aimed at getting children to exercise. This is a great idea, and what could be better than taking your children hiking? They get fresh air, interaction with nature and can start a lifelong hobby of being outdoors.

Tom Rankin hikes in the Catskills with his wife’s grandchildren, Damon and Payton Pietrantoni.

I have friends who have taken their children hiking as newborns. Some mothers carry their babies in a sling, while others place them in a specially designed baby carrier, which can double as a backpack.

One important aspect to keep in mind is that children are much more focused on the journey than the destination. Be prepared to not make it all the way to the goal. Parents can tell when their children are tired, instead of just grumbling about moving up the trail, and you should never push children beyond their limits.

Frequent rest breaks and time to explore the sides of the trail will help keep them interested.

Small enticements along the way, such as “there is a special treat waiting at the summit,” might work with some kids, but let them dictate the pace and when to stop. The last thing you want is for the hike to turn into a negative experience.

You can help avoid problems by making sure your child is adequately clothed in layers appropriate to the conditions, and has sturdy, well-fitting boots. You can buy them backpacks, (or they could probably use their school packs), but don’t expect them to carry all their gear, food and water. Explain to them that as they grow older and stronger, they can carry more of their own gear. A small toy could be brought along in the pack.

My wife’s grandson, 6, is a typical, active boy, who hikes with us frequently. But he sometimes takes risks on the trail that we would rather he not do. Let children have fun — and even take a few small risks — but make sure you keep a close eye on them and do not allow them to get into dangerous situations. Explain that the outdoors can be fun, but they could get hurt, or lost. Teach your children to understand trail markers and stay on the trail. Carrying a first-aid kit is a must.

The Catskill 3500 Club leads hikes to each of the 35 peaks over 3,500 feet in the Catskills in every season. We have a requirement that you do at least four winter climbs before you join the club. Our hikes are free, but you must sign up in advance. We will make sure you are ready to go on the hike you sign up for with a few questions about what you have hiked recently and if you have the appropriate gear. This helps keep every hike a safe hike for everyone involved.

Children are welcome on our hikes, but you should discuss your child’s age and ability with the leader before the hike. A parent or guardian must accompany all minors and sign a waiver for them.

Tom Rankin is an avid hiker and vice president of the Catskill 3500 Club. He also helps keep the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower open to visitors. He can be contacted through the Catskill 3500 Club Web page: www.catskill-3500-club.org/about/officers.htm. “Valley Explorer” is a regular feature in My Valley.

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NYC DEP Opened Watershed Land for Recreation in 2012 – Access to Public Lands and Reservoirs Expanded and Partnerships with Local Organizations Creates Network of New Trails

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Carter Strickland  announced that more than 6,100 acres of City-owned land across the watershed were opened for public recreation in 2012. In addition, DEP expanded the recreational boating program on its reservoirs and formed partnerships with local organizations to create networks of new trails and other opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts in 2012.

“By working with our local partners we have been able to expand and improve recreational access to some of New York’s most scenic land and waterways,” DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland said. “We will continue to focus on creating new opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing and other outdoor activities in order to attract even more visitors and help contribute to a stronger economy in our watershed communities.”

DEP opened 6,184 acres of land for recreational use in 2012, of which 5,554 are public access areas and can be used without a permit. Entry on the remaining 630 newly opened acres requires a DEP permit. In addition, 1,521 acres of watershed land that previously required a permit were converted to public access areas. The City first established public access areas in 2008 to allow recreation without permits on certain watershed lands. Since then, the number of acres open for recreation without a permit has more than doubled, from 20,009 to 52,198. These lands are typically open for fishing, hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing and other low impact recreational activities.

The year also brought new partnerships which have enhanced the existing recreational use of City-owned land in the watershed, including:
In January 2012, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference received a DEP land-use permit to construct and maintain 2.5 miles of a hiking trail over City water supply lands just north of the Cannonsville Reservoir. The Finger Lakes Trail System includes the main trail from the Pennsylvania-New York border in the Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve, as well as many smaller trails. Portions of the trail inside the City’s watershed ran along public roads, but the DEP permit allowed for a section of the trail to be moved into woods and fields owned by the City. The low-impact hiking trail primarily follows existing trails and old tracks.

DEP issued a land-use permit to allow the Village of Fleischmanns to use City land for a temporary park after its village park was destroyed by tropical storms Irene and Lee in 2011. DEP also established Devasego Park, a designated use area on City land adjacent to Schoharie Reservoir, so that residents and visitors would have a public area close to the heart of Prattsville for walking, Frisbee, picnics and other outdoor activities.

DEP also worked with the Town of Andes and the Catskill Mountain Club to allow two new hiking trails on City land in the Pepacton Reservoir basin. One trail, located on the north side of the reservoir, begins at the Shavertown Bridge boat launch site and rises through the woods to scenic fields. The other trail, off Finkle Road, begins at a scenic pull-off that Andes built on City land after receiving a land-use permit from DEP several years ago.

DEP partnered with Westchester County to allow participants in the Westchester County Adaptive Deer Management Program to enter City lands around Muscoot, Cross River and New Croton Reservoirs. These lands will be open to hunters who were enrolled in the special program to help manage the high deer populations in that portion of the county.
The expansion of the recreational boating program in 2012 brought kayaks, canoes, rowboats and non-motorized boats to Cannonsville, Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie reservoirs. A total of 983 tags were issued to recreational boaters, 45 percent of whom were from outside the watershed and 10 percent of whom were from outside New York. Permits for recreational boating, which require certification that the boat has been steam cleaned, can be obtained free of charge through DEP’s website.

“Delaware County has already seen an uptick in visitors because DEP chose to expand recreational opportunities on its land and on the Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs,” Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Eisel said. “New businesses that rented kayaks, steam cleaned boats, and offered other services began emerging once DEP opened its reservoirs to more recreational boating. It?x27;s a clear sign that Delaware County and DEP working cooperatively has strengthened the tourism economy.”

“We are excited about the additional recreation land DEP has opened for the public to enjoy,” Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh said. “By complementing the many recreational trails, ski slopes and other destinations that already exist, DEP is helping attract more visitors to enjoy the unique natural beauty of the Catskills.”
Expanding recreational opportunities in the watershed is one of the goals outlined in Strategy 2011-2014, a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines 100 distinct initiatives to help ensure that DEP is the safest, most efficient, cost-effective and transparent water utility in the nation. The plan is available on DEP’s website at www.nyc.gov/dep.

There are now 114,833 acres of City-owned land open for recreation in the watershed, including 80,941 acres of land, and reservoirs that comprise 33,892 acres. Much of that land was purchased through DEP’s Land Acquisition Program, including 6,811 acres of land and conservation easements in 2012. The acquisitions in 2012 included 4,007 acres of land that were purchased outright, of which 3,726 acres, or 93 percent, have been or are expected to be opened for public recreation. Recreation is not allowed on conservation easements. The 2007 Filtration Avoidance Determination issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires New York City to continue an active Land Acquisition Program, focusing on properties selected for their water quality protection benefits. The City only acquires land and easements from willing sellers, and pays fair market value based on independent appraisals.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of high quality water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. 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 others professionals in the upstate watershed. In addition to its $68 million payroll and $153 million in annual taxes paid in upstate counties, DEP has invested more than $1.5 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 opportunities. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program with more than $13 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 www.nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nycwater.

Notable Additions to Recreation Lands in 2012
Ashokan Basin – Ulster County
Piney Point Public Access Area on Piney Point Road in Olive expanded from 369 to 838 acres and was renamed Ticetonyk Mountain
280 acres will be added to the Lost Clove Unit on Lost Clove Road in Shandaken
451 acres of Ashokan Reservoir buffer lands on the west side of Rte 28 have been opened as the Sand Hill bow hunting unit
130 acres are added to the North Ashokan Recreational Unit on the south side of Route 28 in Olive
Delaware County
820 acres on Scutt Mountain Road in Stamford & Bovina added to Pink Street Recreation Unit
340 acres in two acquisitions on Fall Clove Road in Andes, opened as the new Fall Clove Road Public Access Area
329 acres added to the Sally Alley Unit at the end of Sherwood Road in Roxbury
290 acres on Baumback Road added to the West Settlement Unit in the Town of Roxbury
265 acres added to the Buffalo Hollow Unit at the end of George Lawrence Road in the Town of Roxbury
191 acres on County Route 33 in Kortright opened as the new Wright Brook Public Access Area
165 acres added to the Brush Ridge Unit on Brush Ridge Road in Middletown, just east of the Village of Fleischmanns
154 acres on Roses Brook Road in Stamford opened as the new Roses Brook Farm Public Access Area
139 acres added to the Carman Road Recreation Unit on County Route 2 in Hamden
127 acres in two acquisitions on Scotch Mountain Road in Delhi opened as the new Scotch Mountain Public Access Area
Neversink & Rondout Basins
43 acres on Route 55 in the Town of Neversink added to the South Hill Unit
24 acres on DuBois Road in the Town of Denning added to the Sundown Unit
368 acres at the end of East Mountain Road, along the border of Sullivan and Ulster counties, will be added to the North Side Unit
Greene County
396 acres in three acquisitions added to the Patterson Ridge Unit on State Route 23 in Ashland
325 acres added to the Mount Hayden Recreation Unit at the end of Nauvoo Road in Windham
196 acres added to the Case Road Unit on Case Road in Ashland
73 acres added to the Center Jewett Unit on Route 23A in Jewett
252 acres of Schoharie Reservoir buffer land opened as the Devasego Public Access Area in the Towns of Roxbury and Prattsville
2012 Land Acquisition Program Purchases & Easements
Delaware County: 3,705 acres
Greene County: 1,141 acres
Sullivan County: 640 acres
Ulster County: 590 acres
Putnam County: 426 acres
Schoharie County: 304 acres
Dutchess County: 7 acres

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Hike of the Week: Windham High Peak long on views

Hike of the Week: Windham High Peak long on views

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Hudson Valley Hikers meet-up group

Calling all NYC – Hudson Valley outdoor & hiking enthusiasts! The purpose of this group is to bring people together. People who like being outside, hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, cycling, mountaineering, rock / ice climbing, caving, etc.  This is an extremely active group with hikes every weekend and over 5,000 members! Click here to find out more and / or join.

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Catskill Mountain Club comes alive

by STEVE BERG, Daily Freeman, link to original post

The Adirondacks have one; the Green Mountains have one; the Appalachians have one, and now we in the Catskills have one: our own hiking and outdoor club – The Catskill Mountain Club!

Formed in 2004, after our first annual Lark in the Park celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Catskill Park, we’re seeing interest build in outdoor activities not only in the park, but also throughout our entire Catskill region of six-and-half (half of Albany) counties.

A growing population of second homeowners and visitors is looking for guided hikes, paddles, bike rides and the like. New York City’s reservoirs and other land for public use have been opened, making the Catskills a destination unto itself. Also, there is growing realization that tourism is key to the survival of our region. Outdoor activities have been shown to be the No. 1 draw of tourists to our area!

So we’re making it our priority to offer as many (non-motorized) outdoor activities as possible throughout the year – not just hiking, biking, paddling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, but also educational walks, family and other social events, and trail building and maintenance.

While it hasn’t been easy starting from scratch, The Catskill Mountain Club is doing it! With 800 participants receiving our emails, we’ve just incorporated as a not for profit and the next step will be to become tax-exempt. Meanwhile, we’ve been appearing at most outdoor festivals and working hard to make the Annual Lark in the Park a success.

This year the Lark was held from Sept. 30 through Oct. 8 with 42 events spaced out over 10 days. Three-hundred people enjoyed its activities, which this year introduced paddles on the Pepacton Reservoir and our first four-day through-hike, this time from Margaretville to Downsville. We also held our first annual dinner celebrating the Lark, which drew 65 people on a Sunday night! Sharing the Lark with us this year has been the Catskill Center and the NY/NJ Trail Conference, which have done a lot to assure its success.

All of this has been achieved with the dedicated work of volunteers, both on our 11-person board and our participants. But we can’t survive without the entire region’s support and we need donations, which are tax-deductible (when made through the Catskill Center), to cover our plans for expansion including new literature, partial staff time and other operating expenses. The Catskills deserve its own outdoor club, so please visit our website, www.catskillmountainclub.org, for details on our year-round activities, on how to volunteer as an event leader or participate in our activities, including trail stewardship, and how to make a financial contribution.

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Hiking: Southern Escarpment Trail and Palenville Overlook | Catskill Mountains, NY

Hiking: Southern Escarpment Trail and Palenville Overlook | Catskill Mountains, NY

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New trail links Catskills, Shawangunks

by Andrea Minoff , Poughkeepsie Journal, link to original post

A new trail opened recently in the northernmost part of Minnewaska State Park will provide part of the long-sought green link connecting the Shawangunks to the Catskills. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference joined with the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club to celebrate the opening of the Mine Hole Trail.

This 3.5-mile trail linking the Berrypicker Trail to Berme Road is a new part of the Long Path, which connects many of New York’s parks, preserves and state forest lands for 346 miles from the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge to Altamont, near Albany. Government and park officials and Trail Conference volunteers who planned and built the trail connection spoke at a ceremony held on June 2 at Soyuzivka, the Ukranian Heritage Foundation Center on Foordmore Road in Kerhonkson, followed by a ribbon cutting at the beginning of the newly opened trail on Berme Road. The Long Path is maintained by 74 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers and member groups. The local chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club has volunteered to maintain the new trail.

Trail description: The Long Path will follow its current course through Sam’s Point Preserve to, heading northbound, the Verkeerder Kill Falls area (private land). There, instead of continuing on along the Scenic Trail past Mud Pond, Lake Awosting and along the Rainbow Falls Trail, Jenny Lane, and Old Minnewaska Trail to Rt. 44/55, the Long Path will turn north to co-align with the High Point Trail, continue on the Berrypicker Trail in Minnewaska, follow Smiley Carriage Road for a short distance, then turn onto the new Mine Hole Trail to Berme Road in Wawarsing.

From Berme Road, it is a two-mile road walk as the route follows Port Ben Road, crosses Route 209 and continues on Lundy Road to Vernooy State Forest. One last regulatory hurdle remains to be crossed in order to blaze a route for the Long Path through that forest and the adjacent Sundown Wild Forest.

Once the Department of Environmental Conservation completes the Unit Management Plans for these two state forests, the trail will follow the west bank of the Vernooy Kill to Vernooy Falls, to rejoin the current route. Until that time, the trail will follow Rogue Harbor Road to Upper Cherrytown Road, part of the current route from the Shawangunks to the Catskills.

For more information, contact Larry Wheelock at the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, wheelock@nynjtc.org or 201-512-9348.

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