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Additional clarification of the “NY PAUSE” definition of “non-essential” businesses has resulted in the shuttering of boat launches, marinas and golf courses across the state.
In an update on April 9, Empire State Development issued the following:
- Parks and other open public spaces, except playgrounds and other areas of congregation where social distancing cannot be abided
- However, golf courses are not essential
- However, use of boat launches and marinas for recreational vessels is not considered essential
NYSDEC and State Parks, too
To limit the community spread of COVID-19, use of all DEC, Canal Corp., and State Parks-owned boat launches is temporarily suspended for recreational boaters.
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Unfortunately County Governments feel that the Governors orders don’t apply to them. Case in point, Stony Ford Golf Course in Orange County remains open despair numerous calls to the pause hotline. Irresponsible and reckless behavior from local officials. Now we have people traveling from NJ and Ct to come play golf. Simple minds don’t understand the underlying problems
Last i checked you are social distanced on a golf course these rules by the gov are stupid
Can’t get anymore social distancing than
hiking in the forest alone…
Boating is social distancing…..They have gone to far.
I suspect part of the problem is they don’t want to man boat cleaning stations until it is safe for the workers. No way to “control” invasives. My suspicion is it has nothing to do with boating, since paddling is still OK.
Yes, two can maintain social distancing in a canoe. But do you have to pitch your tents 6 feet apart?
I still spray my canoe and kayak with bleach before launching and after hauling out. those little scratches from banging a rock can still harbor a bunch of stuff
Terry, Thanks, I never thought of that. Me, too, now.
Don’t forget shoes and gear.
Dam right they have!
You tell them the declaration of independence is a real thing and im going to use that to man my motor boat at my free will with my father so much as i please and if i get sick for that then i prolly deserved it but im not going to stop fishing boating is my essential soicial distancing god given right and im going to use it to
Go for it, no one is saying you can’t go boating, you just can’t use a State launch. There are plenty of private marinas around.
Sorry I am a Atheist. To your Hell with your god given rights.
That’s a sad statement
Also whos fricking declaring what essential means right now bc guess what thats not your right to declare what is and isnt essential for anyone that may be in need lets just get that straight right now.. also its unlawful and quite frankly disrespectful to try n block people from buying toys clothes and other things that may be for their needs not yours and unless we people dont have rights then i dont see where any one can declare what is and isnt essential this is america stand up for your freedom
Sorry I am a Atheist. To your Hell with your god given rights.
I thought dec just issued a statement that they were going to wave inspections for the month of April and that invasive species posed less danger due to cold waters. Or something to that effect
It’s more about control at this point…. blanket rules just dont work. 99.9% of the time I ride my hovercraft alone. Guaranteed no one has coughed or sneezed on it…… I will go kicking n screaming if they tell me I cant go out……!!!!!!
This is going to far. How many crowds have you seen on a boat ranp, and if you cant keep 6 ft apart on a huge golf course wher can you? By late may people will just go back to doing what they want. Also any small husiness, campground, marina, or seasonal business only has just so long to make money or their gone. Lowes, home depot starbucks, there ok. Like its essential to fertilize your lawn or paint the bathroom. Once the small business under Coumo is doomed.
As soon as you wake up to the Fake news by Fredo and our Gov . you will realize why NYC is paying a horrible price.Upstate is last on our NYC Gov. concerns.Go fishing,shooting,boating and enjoy the fresh air.ADKs is ours! The sooner we make “UPSTATE” a new state the more we become free!!??
No Governor has every invested money in upstate as much as Andrew
Money the state doesn’t have, just like what he did in Buffalo!
https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
The way I interpret this is that it is addressing BUSINESSES that run a golf course, boat launch, or marina. I don’t see where it specifies unmanned State boat launches are not to be used. A golf course is a business. A marina is a business. A private boat launch is a business. I am no lawyer, but does anyone else interpret it this way??
You are right. But there’s a bunch of folks who want to feel that their rights are being infringed upon by protecting the lives of those workers. No one is stopping anyone from boating – please clean your boat, please remain socially distant from whomever you meet who you are not quarantined with. Don’t share golf carts, try to wipe down surfaces. New York State lands and waters belong to everyone. Use them, enjoy them, preserve them but please stay well, practice good hygiene, and stay local. People’s lives do depend on it.
Anthony D’…You must remember that what is essential in NYC is not Upstate.We are secondary and only needed to pay taxes for the Demoleeches so please disobey and on 5/1/20 launch your boats/kayaks/canoes /golf clubs!!??
Upstate New York, the REAL upstate, is as different from NYC as Kansas is from NYC. But you know we’re going to be lumped into rules for NYC ‘for our own good’.
hi all, I’ve reached out to DEC for clarification on public boat launches. Will let you know what I find out.
Thanks. The recent NYS “clarification” needs to be clarified.
Have any of you folks ever attended school ? Most of you can not spell or compose a sentence, never mind even think clearly.
What is “fricking” ?
What is “prolly “ ?
“ I am a atheist “
Stupidity is a “god given right” too.
Private BOAT LAUNCHES & MARINAS
STATE LAUNCHES OPEN
Can you still fish from the boat launches in particular Canadarago Lake? The signs are very confusing there.
We are really reaching out on a limb by closing boat ramps. Even during the heat of the summer months people are rarely within 6 feet of strangers at a ramp site. This is overreach!
Sula says: “Stupidity is a “god given right” too.”
What is god?
Oh, come on, Charlie. You know what I was saying. God is whatever one believes. For me, it’s nature, but others should be able to think and believe as they choose.
Oh, c’mon, Charlie S, god is what you believe him/her/it to be.
oh, com
Ridiculous..ive made 2 kayak runs on the susquehana river with approval from nysdec.. These small boat launches should be opened!
They should shut down some bodies of water to motors completely….so as to preserve some bodies of water for future generations. It would be the noble, thoughtful, futuristic, right, just thing to do!
golf courses had the rules set pretty good. No flags to touch in the holes cups were pulled out and in so no balls would fall. You could pay online no one had to go in but you can go in the store so that doesn’t matter. And one person per cart. I don’t understand the problem it’s about the safest thing you can do as far as social distancing. I guess if you say we have to wear a mask if we golf I’ll do that
There’s a lot about this C-19 thing that doesn’t make any sense, Robert.
It’s not our place to question things*.
* sarcasm
because someone complained! that’s all it takes
Just heard back from DEC and looks like all boat launches are closed:
Statement for attribution to NYSDEC and State Parks
To limit the community spread of COVID-19, use of all DEC, Canal Corp., and State Parks-owned boat launches is temporarily suspended for recreational boaters.
Thanks Melissa. This is further complicated by the fact that DEC has not updated their websites stating that launches are closed.
Are we to assume that statement means canoes and kayaks can use those very same DEC launches?
Is there currently signage stating DEC launches are closed?
All very confusing and illogical. Hopefully the administration will rethink this.
If I am caught launching my canoe next week for a solo trip into the socially distanced Adirondack Wilderness, do you think I will be thrown into solitary confinement?
Too risky to apprehend you. I suspect a shot over the bow then they sink you. But bring your mask just in case you have cellmates.
Boat launches require no contact with any surface of person not with you. Totally over the top!
i live in Fulton County and am wondering if all boat launches are closed or if we follow the social distancing we are allowed out on the water?
Awaiting further info from DEC and Empire State Development about what’s allowed and what’s not. There is a lot of conflicting information out there, unfortunately.
you are punishing upstate for the issues in Nyc….On Ontario we were flooded for half of last season now you are screwing us over again….wear face masks ok but this is a load of crap
Upstate golf courses are closed along with boat launches, marinas,gun shops , fishing docks,kayaking but let’s leave subways and buses open in the Govs. true state NYC..Charlie S. take your mask off and relax.
Cuomo said the marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturing is open. So you can go boating and launch as long as you adhere to social distancing and sanitation rules.