"We're pleased to be able to offer our Watershed Recreation program to the residents of southern New York and northern New Jersey," said Bob Iacullo, chief operating officer of United Water. "It enables residents to enjoy the more than 6,000 acres of watershed protective lands surrounding our reservoirs. And we're also able to offer our recreation facilities for persons with disabilities at both our Orangetown, NY, and Woodcliff Lake, NJ, sites."

According to Iacullo, the company offers a wheelchair access area in both states. The company constructed two 20-foot concrete decks near the water's edge and a crushed stone walkway leading from the parking lot to the fishing platforms. The wheelchair access areas are located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, at the corner of Coles Crossing and Reservoir Road, and in Orangetown, NY, near the Fifth Avenue bridge.

United Water mailed out application forms to customers who participated in past years. Customers simply need to fill out the form and mail back their application with their check. Customers will be sent everything they need to participate in the program (key, button, parking sticker and information guide) through the mail.

The recreation application is available online at www.unitedwater.com/uwnj or www.unitedwater.com.uwny. Residents can also call the company at 201 767 9300, extension 3208 or 914 623 1500, extension 3208 and have an application mailed directly to their home.

All watershed recreation participants will have access to Lake DeForest and Lake Tappan reservoirs in New York as well as the Oradell Reservoir and Woodcliff Lake Reservoir in New Jersey. Of course, people signing up for the bi-state fishing program must have the proper New York and/or New Jersey state fishing licenses.

According to Iacullo, the company is again offering customers the option of ordering guest passes for visiting friends and relatives. Participants can order up to two guest passes.

Watershed recreation permits are available to all customers 18 years of age and older. The permits are also available to children 17 years of age or younger, but the application must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. The permit fee is $25 for residents 18 years and older and $15 for seniors (62 and over) or children (ages 8-17). Children under 8 can participate free of charge. Guest passes are $25.

Each New Jersey fishing applicant 16 years of age or older must have a valid state fishing license. Each New York fishing applicant 14 years of age or older must have a valid state fishing license.

United Water New Jersey provides water service to more than 750,000 residents in Bergen and Hudson counties in New Jersey and United Water New York provides water service to more than 250,000 residents in Rockland County