The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the temporary closure of parts of the North Lake Conservation Easement will begin Sept. 7, to allow the property owners to conduct forest management activities. Owned by Heartwood Forestry Fund IV, the 11,490-acre North Lake Conservation Easement is located northwest of the village of Forestport in Herkimer County. The easement provides public use of the property for recreation while retaining the landowner’s authority to practice forest management, including closing portions of the property during sustainable timber harvesting operations. DEC will announce when the easement reopens fully to public access.

The temporary closure will begin Tuesday, Sept. 7, and continue until early winter. Affected areas begin at the Golden Stair Creek bridge and extend east, just south of Ice Cave Mountain.  During this closure, the Loop Road and campsites along the Loop Road will remain open, but areas adjacent to the road and some campsites may be closed.  Hunters and hikers will have access to the logging roads that lead off the Loop Road in order to recreate in areas not actively harvested. Users of the campsites and parking areas along the Loop Road should expect to encounter log trucks and other equipment, and should exercise caution when driving or using the road. Contact DEC’s Herkimer office at 315-866-6330 with questions. Additional information is available on the DEC website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/106196.html.