The City of Port Jervis has purchased the 565-acre Boehmler Pond property that borders the Port Jervis Watershed Park and Recreation Area from the Town of Deerpark, with permanent conservation and public access easements conveyed to the Orange County Land Trust.
City of Port Jervis officials have long regarded the Boehmler Pond property as a priority for water quality protection, as it contains forested wetlands, ponds, and several streams that flow into City Reservoirs #2 and #3. The property’s proximity to the Watershed Park has also been on the radar of the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis, which oversees the stewardship and trail development of the 2,400-acre outdoor adventure and recreational destination.
In an effort to develop a land acquisition program aimed at safeguarding their drinking water and enhancing their recreational assets, the City was awarded a NYS Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) grant in 2019. A portion of the $1.8M grant funded the purchase and protection of the Boehmler Pond property. The project also received $166,291 in funding from the Open Space Institute (OSI)’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund.
“This is a major victory for the protection of clean water, public access, recreation, and tourism,” stated Jim Delaune, Executive Director of the Orange County Land Trust. “It is also a testament to the importance of collaboration and partnership, as this project could not have been done without the support of the City of Port Jervis, Town of Deerpark, Department of Environmental Conservation, Open Space Institute, Outdoor Club of Port Jervis, and Orange County Government.”
Mayor of Port Jervis Dominic Cicalese said: “This opportunity for the city not only protects our watershed but also expands our hiking and biking trails. The City of Port Jervis appreciates all of the parties coming together to make this a reality.”
“OSI congratulates our partners at OCLT and the City of Port Jervis for permanently protecting this critical property,” said Bill Rawlyk, OSI’s Senior Project Manager. “Conservation of this sizeable and beautiful tract, which includes four miles of streambank, preserves the land’s natural ability to filter and recharge water, delivering clean and safe drinking water to Port Jervis’s residents and businesses. In addition, the new recreational opportunities created by this effort will be enjoyed for generations to come. We hope that our support of this project will inspire new efforts to save green space in the region.”
Mike Ward, President of the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis, stated: “Protecting this forest and water supply for Port Jervis has been a priority for the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis from the beginning. Thank you to all involved, especially OCLT for helping to spearhead this project.”
Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said: “This acquisition of the 565-acre Boehmler Pond property is a significant step forward in safeguarding the water quality of the Port Jervis Watershed and enhancing the recreational opportunities for our community. With the conservation easements in place, we are not only protecting vital natural resources but also ensuring that future generations will have access to the beauty and recreational benefits that this land offers. I commend the City of Port Jervis and all involved for their commitment to preserving our environment and improving the quality of life.”
The Boehmler Pond project, sponsored by the City of Port Jervis, was funded from a CWIA/EPF Water Quality Improvement Project Grant administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
Launched in 2014 with funding from the William Penn Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative, OSI’s DRWPF has protected more than 25,000 acres of forested land to safeguard water quality in the Delaware River Watershed, a source of drinking water for approximately 15 million people — including residents of northeastern Pennsylvania as well as Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and New York City.
