DEC Reminds 'Blue Hole' Visitors to Follow Regulations and Consider Nearby Alternatives
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 06/15/2017 04:55 PM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
Share or view as a web page || Update preferences or unsubscribe |
DEC Reminds 'Blue Hole' Visitors to Follow Regulations and Consider Nearby Alternatives |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Blue Hole Swimming Area Fills Up QuicklyThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today is reminding visitors to the overused Blue Hole swimming area to follow regulations for the Blue Hole and Peekamoose Valley in the town of Denning, Ulster County. The regulations increase public safety and reduce impacts to the swimming area located on Rondout Creek in the Sundown Wild Forest. This unique natural resource is at risk from overuse due to its popularity. The area is in the New York City drinking water watershed. "State regulations for Blue Hole are necessary to protect public health and encourage the safety and general welfare of both users of the property and nearby residents," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "DEC encourages visitors to enjoy this incredible resource safely and responsibly." In the summer of 2015, day use of the area referred to as the "Blue Hole," a large, deep and cold swimming hole in Rondout Creek immediately upstream of the camping area, increased exponentially. The increase in visitors was due in part to social media coverage, including national magazines, touting the Blue Hole as "one of the best swimming holes in the nation." As many as 700 people have crowded into the small area on a single day. This dramatic increase in usage has resulted in an uptick of human waste, refuse, fires, and broken glass, and overuse of the parking area, spilling out along Peekamoose Road. Blue Hole's neighboring communities have expressed concerns about safety if the road is not passable for emergency service vehicles due to blockage by illegally parked cars, as well as concerns about the number of visitors. State Regulations for Blue Hole include:
DEC will continue to consult with local officials and the public to increase public safety and protect this overused resource to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors and nearby residents of the town of Denning. Because of heavy use of this area, DEC encourages users to enjoy nearby state lands:
Additional site-specific information is available on DEC's website directly at Peekamoose Blue Hole web page. |