Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Canoe or Kayak!

Non-motorized boating enthusiasts who've long yearned to dip their oars and paddles into the waters of New York City's huge reservoirs get their wish this weekend. On Friday, May 25, the Pepacton, Schoharie, and Neversink Reservoirs are open to the public for the first time. The Cannonsville Reservoir, which has been available to canoes, kayaks, row boats and small sailboats for the past three years, is welcoming boaters as well. The successful Cannonsville pilot program to expand recreational use to other non-mechanized vessels prompted the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to open three more reservoirs to boaters this year. With support from the Catskill Watershed Corporation, tourism promotion officials and municipal leaders, this exciting new recreational resource is now available to boaters with DEP Access Permits (available online). The public can launch their boats at specified sites after having them steam cleaned at approved vendors. There they will receive boat tags allowing short term (up to one week) or season-long access (through Columbus Day). Access lots of information online like reservoir maps, a list of steam cleaning vendors, boat launch sites and rental locations, DEP regulations regarding boat size and usage, and a link to the required DEP Access Permit application

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