The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing new regulations for the Blue Hole and Peekamoose Valley located in the Town of Denning, Ulster County. The purpose of the proposed regulations, which mirror the current Emergency Regulations, is to increase public safety, reduce negative impacts to the environmental resources of the area and protect New York City's public water supply.

The proposed regulations will:

• Restrict hours that the area is open (except for the nearby designated camping area) to one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset;
• Require the use of the portable restroom facilities for human waste disposal and the dumpster for all other waste;
• Prohibit camping, all fires (including charcoal fires, wood fires, gas grills, propane stoves or other portable stoves) and the use of portable generators at the Blue Hole. (Limited use of the above will be allowed at the nearby designated camping area only);
• Limit parking to designated parking areas (parking along the shoulder of the road is already prohibited by the Town and is a Tow Away Zone); and,
• Prohibit glass containers, radios and other audio devices.

A public informational meeting will be held to provide information about the proposed regulations and to get input from the public:

When: Tuesday, June 21st at 7 p.m.

Where: Sundown Methodist Church – Peekamoose Road, Denning, NY 12782

The public will have the opportunity to provide oral and/or written comments at the public meeting or submit written comments during the formal 45-day public comment period. The public comment period runs from June 8, 2016 through July 23, 2016, and any comments not provided at the meeting can be submitted to:

Bill Rudge, DEC Natural Resources Supervisor

21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561

Phone: 845.256.3092

E-mail: bill.rudge@dec.ny.gov

DEC will review and address all comments received during the public comment period. The regulations will become final when they are printed in the New York State Register, and DEC will continue to inform the public of the new regulations by providing information on DEC’s website and through social media. DEC will also post permanent signs throughout the property detailing the regulations.