Blue Hole at Peekamoose
DENNING – The State Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed limiting to 240 the number of people who may access the Blue Hole in the Sundown Wild Forest of the Catskill Park in the Town of Denning on summer weekends and holidays.
“DEC encourages the use of our state lands, but this tiny area has been drawing up to 1,000 visitors a day,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “This is simply too much traffic for this postage stamp-sized area.” He said his agency is working to preserve the Blue Hole and protect visitors while reducing trash, damage to vegetation and trees, and soil erosion.
Under the proposed, no-cost permit system, visitors to the Blue Hole would need to obtain a permit on weekends and holidays from May 15 through October 15. Up to 40 permits would be issued per day with each one allowing up to six people, including children.
DEC is proposing the new permit system by amending the Peekamoose Valley
Regulations. Existing regulations to address overuse will remain in effect
and include restricting the hours the area is open to one-half hour before
sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; requiring the use of portable restroom
facilities; prohibiting all fires and grills and the use f portable generators;
limiting parking to designated parking areas; and prohibiting glass containers,
radios, and other audio devices.
