For Release: Thursday, September 4, 2008
State and City Announce Agreement to Allow New Recreational Uses in the Town of Windham
DEC to Manage Mount Hayden, Offer Opportunities Including Biking
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced an access agreement that will create new recreational opportunities in the Catskill region, including mountain biking, at the 804-acre Mount Hayden parcel in the Town of Windham. This agreement will offer easier access to the Mount Hayden area to hunt, trap, fish, bike and hike without the need to obtain City-issued access permits.
A land use permit has been granted to the state from DEP to enable DEC to manage Mount Hayden. This permit will benefit communities by complementing the finalization of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan also announced today. It will enable the creation of new bicycle trails for an area in the northern Catskills where reclassification of state lands from Wild Forest to Wilderness decreases the areas that had been previously open for bicycle use, but increases protection of the region's resources. Further, the agreement provides for this area to be classified by DEP as a Public Access Area which will enable visitors to Mount Hayden to participate in recreational activities without first obtaining a City access permit.
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said: "DEC is excited by its growing partnership with the City of New York to increase recreational uses in the Catskills on City-owned lands in a manner that is fully protective of water quality, improves the quality of life for local residents and boosts the economy. The Mount Hayden agreement allows responsible mountain biking opportunities to be expanded where current and anticipated future demand is high, while complementing key provisions of the revised Master Plan."
DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd said: "DEP looks forward to working with DEC and other partners throughout the watershed to continue to expand watershed recreational opportunities and Mount Hayden is a model for how the City can team with other partners for mutual benefit."
