To learn how saline waters are used for recreation in New York State, and to advocate for continued and improved water quality standards and regulations, we created a map-based public survey and used the results to inform reporting to the NY State Department of Conservation (NYS DEC). The survey results and maps were submitted as part of Riverkeeper and Save the Sound’s comments to the NYS DEC in advance of their once-in-a-generation review of saline water classifications. The data collection strategy was developed through a series of meetings where research into a custom, map-based survey tool was reviewed and shared goals were established for the project. A user-friendly survey where the public could record their use of local waters directly on a custom map of the area was quickly deployed. Once our survey period ended, the collected data was processed and analyzed before remapping it to show aggregated results as well as current water quality standards in the area for reporting to the NYS DEC.