The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has proposed updated watershed recreation rules, last changed in 2010. It is holding two public hearings in the Hudson Valley on the proposed rules, beginning Tuesday in Putnam County.
The DEP says some of its more significant changes for recreation on its 135,000-plus acres of water supply property include expanding the recreational boating season and other changes for boating; allowing hunters to use trail cameras; allowing service dogs; and prohibiting the launch and landing of drones, prohibiting horses, target shooting and smoking, including e-cigarettes. There is a public hearing beginning at 6 Tuesday evening at the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services in Carmel and a second hearing July 26 at Margaretville Telephone Company, in Delaware County, at 6 p.m. The deadline for written comments is August 1.
