Willowemoc

Excerpted from state press release:



Governor George E. Pataki today officially marked the beginning of the 100th
anniversary celebration of the creation of the Catskill Park by announcing
the preservation of nearly 240 acres of historically and recreationally
significant land along the Willowemoc Creek in the Town of Neversink,
Sullivan County. The Governor's announcement comes as thousands

of anglers take to the State's rivers, lakes and streams to celebrate
opening day of trout season in New York.



"The Willowemoc Creek is considered the birthplace of American
fly-fishing and is one of New York's finest trout streams," Governor Pataki
said. "New York State's acquisition of this parcel is a welcome and
fitting tribute to the trout fishing legacy of the Catskill Park during the
celebration of its Centennial Year. This magnificent property underscores
the commitment New York State is making toward preserving the Parks' legacy
for future generations to enjoy.



"Today's purchase will provide new recreational opportunities
for anglers and visitors to the region and builds on the State's commitment
to protect one million acres of land by the end of the decade," Governor
Pataki said. ...



The State will acquire 239 acres, part of what is known as the
Van Norden property, from the not-for-profit Open Space Institute (OSI)
using $538,000 from the State's Environmental Protection Fund. A 20-acre
portion of the property that includes the historic 19th century farmhouse
used by the Willowemoc and Women's Flyfishers Clubs will be sold by OSI to a
private conservation buyer and be subject to an easement held by the State
to prohibit further development.

The Van Norden acquisition will add more than one mile of the Willowemoc
Creek, and more than a quarter mile of Butternut Brook, a direct tributary
to the Willowemoc, into public ownership. This is a pristine section of the
Willowemoc watershed that will protect the clear, free flowing headwaters
which include several cold water springs that together provide critical
habitat for an historic wild native brook trout fishery.



The Willowemoc, a tributary of the Beaver Kill, is included in a
comprehensive study now underway by the State in cooperation with Trout
Unlimited and Cornell University. The study will determine the status of the
environmental and trout resources within the "Bea Moc" watershed and be the
basis for the development of a long-term fisheries management plan for

this important, nationally-recognized trout fishery.



The Beaver Kill and Willowemoc are renowned for their rich
fishing traditions and have played an important role in supporting the
economy of the Catskills. Preservation of the Van Norden property fulfills
a major goal of the study to identify and protect the fishery resource and
develop additional public access sites.

excerpted from state press release.

--
James Ehlers

Outdoors Magazine
www.outdoorsmagazine.net