“Today is an historic day for the residents of Ulster County.  After many months of diligent negotiations with Ulster County, New York City officials have signed an additional permanent trail easement that protects the underlying railroad rights that run 11.6 miles along the north shore of the Ashokan Reservoir. I am proud that this milestone agreement grants the County the authority to construct and operate the Ashokan Rail Trail as envisioned by the Rail Trail Compromise plan that the Ulster County Legislature unanimously approved in December 2015, while also explicitly and unequivocally protecting Ulster County’s Railroad Easement along the same corridor forever.  Ulster County is now another major step closer to having the best of worlds, rail and trail, as we open up the beauty of the Ashokan Reservoir without cost to residents and visitors alike for the first time in over 100 years.  I look forward to working with members of the Ulster County Legislature as they move this agreement through the legislative process.”