Press Release: New York State, October 10, 1998

Public fishing rights, acquisitions provide better access, amenities for anglers

Governor George E. Pataki announced today that $96,369 from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has been used to acquire small parcels of land and fishing rights across the state to improve angling opportunities and to improve public access to State land.

"New York's public lands and waters provide enormous environmental and economic benefits to the people of this State," Governor Pataki said. "These acquisitions will enhance access to some of the State's most popular rivers and streams for fishing and improve access to State lands for hiking, hunting, bird watching and other forms of recreation. Through these acquisitions, our great outdoors can be used and enjoyed by more New Yorkers."

Through the acquisition of easements from landowners, Public Fishing Rights, or PFRs, allow the public to cross private lands to access and to fish along a 33-foot-wide strip adjacent to the stream, as well as wade in the streambed. The land remains in private ownership and on local tax rolls. The State's acquisition of these public fishing right easements provide perpetual access for anglers.

Eleven PFRs are being acquired across the state for a total $67,169. They include PFRs on:

* Three premier Catskill trout streams: the Little Beaverkill in Sullivan County, three individual parcels totaling .4 equivalent miles (an equivalent mile equates to an easement on a full mile covering both banks); the Willowemoc in Sullivan County, three parcels totaling .2 equivalent miles and a .6-acre parking area; and the Esopus Creek in Ulster County, six individual parcels totaling .3 equivalent miles.

These historic Catskill waters have been recognized for decades as premier trout waters with clear, cold water. Anglers make annual trips to fish in these very productive trout streams, containing populations of brook, brown and, rainbow trout, including wild fish.

* Trout waters in the Hudson Valley: This includes the addition of .3 equivalent miles on the Wappingers Creek in Dutchess County, bringing the total public fishing rights on the creek to five miles. On the West Branch of the Beerkill in the Ellenville area of Ulster County, .2 equivalent miles have been added as well as additional angler parking facilities to this well known brown trout fishery.

* Lake Erie tributaries: This includes Chautauqua Creek in Cattaraugus County (.4 equivalent miles), which supports a popular trout and salmon fishery and a naturally reproducing population of steelhead trout; and Cattaraugus Creek in Wyoming County (.3 equivalent miles), which contains an excellent brown and rainbow trout fishery.

* Western New York trout waters: This includes Ischua Creek (.04 equivalent miles) and McKinstry Creek in Cattaraugus County (.7 equivalent miles); Little Genesee Creek in Allegany County (.1 equivalent mile) and the Genesee River in Allegany County (.1 equivalent mile).

Conservation Fund Advisory Board Chairman John Long said, "Governor Pataki has demonstrated once again his support for the sportsmen and women of New York State through his active support and funding of the small projects category in the State's Open Space Plan. The Board is gratified to see that its support for this project category is opening up State lands and waters for the benefit of all New Yorkers who love the outdoors."

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner John P. Cahill said, "New York boasts some of the best fishing in the country. Governor Pataki is committed to improving access to our waters for the angling public as we continue the State's unprecedented commitment to restoring our water and land resources through the Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund."

Other land conservation projects include the acquisition of a two-acre parcel at the Mongaup Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Sullivan County for $11,900 in EPF resources. The parcel will increase public access to the Delaware River. DEC will use this parcel to develop a parking area and hand carry canoe launch site. The public will also be able to access the lower Mongaup from the site.

An agreement also has been reached to acquire 40 acres to add to the State's Nelson Swamp Unique Area in the Town of Nelson, Madison County, at a cost of $17,300 in EPF resources. This northern white cedar swamp contains ancient trees in excess of 400 years old and many rare plant species. Consolidation of the State's holdings here will improve the protection of the swamp's unique natural resources while enhancing compatible public use opportunities.

A 93-acre tract at the Rome Wildlife Management Area in the City of Rome, Oneida, County, has been donated to the DEC. A portion of the management area is part of the large wetland complex locally termed the "Rome Swamp." The 300-acre WMA currently is landlocked along an active Conrail line. With the addition of the 93-acre parcel, the core of the management area will now be expanded and be accessible for a wide range of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, skiing, bird watching and hunting.

"The acquisition and donation of small projects throughout the State provide terrific investments in improving our outdoor heritage," Commissioner Cahill said. "The scope and diversity of the fish and wildlife habitat we are conserving through this program underscores the incredible bounty of natural resources we are blessed with in New York."

The acquisitions announced by the Governor are included in the State's Open Space Conservation Plan in the Small Projects category, which include public fishing rights to streams and rivers, waterway access, enhancement of public lands, rare habitats, historic and archaeological resources and trail and greenway connections. Individual small projects are not to exceed 200 acres in size or $250,000 in cost.

In 1997, Governor Pataki committed $1 million in Bond Act funds for the purchase of public fishing rights, which are acquired by DEC on a priority basis on high quality rivers and streams. Governor Pataki also has committed more than $2 million in EPF resources to the small projects category since 1995.