Group Access Permits of limited duration are available for Groups of between 7 and 30 individuals to conduct such activities as would normally be available to individual Access Permit holders and will be issued in writing if approved by NYCDEP. Groups larger than 30 people are not permitted. Any individual members of a Group accessing NYCDEP land pursuant to a Group Access Permit must possess all applicable NYSDEC hunting, fishing and trapping licenses as required by the NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Law.
(a) Uses. Group Access Permits may be used for all activities allowed by these Rules in addition to other recreational opportunities approved by NYCDEP, including but not limited to Reservoir clean-ups, nature and outdoor educational walks and talks and school field trips.
(b) Eligibility. A Group Leader must be 18 years of age or older. Group Members may be any age but individuals under 18 years of age must have the signature of a parent or guardian on the Group Access Permit.
(c) Term. Group Access Permits may be issued for a term of 1 day to 3 consecutive months.
(d) Application. An application for a Group Access Permit must be fully completed by the assigned Group Leader and submitted to the mail or email address on the application. Group Access Permit applications shall be available by calling 1-800-575-LAND (5263). No application fee is required.
(e) Required Information. The following information must be provided on or with the Group Access Permit application:
(1) Application date;
(2) Group name and address;
(3) Group Leader's name, date of birth, address, primary telephone, electronic mail address, driver's license or non-driver's identification number and state of issuance, any valid passport or IDNYC identification card;
(4) Signed and dated statement by Group Leader accepting all responsibility for Group and Group Member activity and safety while on City Property and indemnifying the City of New York, as well as waiver of liability and acknowledgement of risk for Group Leader and Group Members, with parent or guardian signature for those under 18 years of age;
(5) Description of the purpose for which the Group is applying for access;
(6) Date(s) and duration(s) for which the Group is seeking access;
(7) Location of City Property for which Group access is being requested, including township, adjacent roadways, and description of intended entrance and exit points;
(8) Names, ages, addresses and telephone numbers of up to twenty-nine Group Members in addition to the Group Leader;
(f) Issuance Criteria. NYCDEP will deny Group Access Permit applications that fail to meet the issuance criteria listed below. NYCDEP will consider the following criteria when evaluating a Group Access Permit application:
(1) Completeness of the application;
(2) Consistency of proposed use with allowable activities;
(3) Eligibility of Group or Group Leader to receive an Access Permit;
(4) Availability and public access status of City Property proposed for use;
(5) Consistency with water quality protection, Water Supply security, strong neighborhood relations, and available City resources;
(6) Compatibility with the City's land management goals;
(7) Compatibility with existing uses, rights, easements, or facilities requirements on the portion of City Property for which Group access is requested.
(g) General Conditions. Group Access Permit Leaders and Group Members must comply with these Rules. Group Access Permit Leaders and Group Members must also comply with the following conditions:
(1) Access to City Property by the Group is only allowed for the dates, locations and Group Members stated on the approved Group Access Permit;
(2) Use of City Property by the Group is only permitted for those uses stated on the approved Group Access Permit;
(3) The Group Leader must carry the approved Group Access Permit or a legible photocopy of the permit at all times while on City Property;
(4) Group Members must be accompanied by a Group Leader at all times while on City Property;
(5) All vehicles used by the Group to access City Property must be identified by a photocopy of the approved Group Access Permit in or on the vehicle such that it is clearly visible from the exterior front of the vehicle.
(h) Responsibility. Use of and activities on City Property under the Group Access Permit by Group Members is the sole responsibility of the Group Leader who must accept responsibility for the conduct, activities, and safety of all Group Members. The Group Leader must accompany the Group at all times while on City Property.
(Added City Record 5/31/2019, eff. 6/30/2019)