DEC Contact: Jomo Miller (518) 402-8000 March 25, 2021
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DEC RELEASES PROPOSED UPDATES FOR REGULATIONS GOVERNING USE OF STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREASPublic Encouraged to Comment on Draft Proposals that Cover Wide Range of Activities on WMAs; Comments Accepted through May 24, 2021 |
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released a draft proposal for public comment that would update regulations governing public use of the State’s vast network of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). DEC is proposing these amendments to protect natural resources, promote public safety, and help ensure the multiple uses of New York’s WMAs remain compatible with natural resource protection and visitor interest. The proposed changes would help bring consistency with existing rules for state forests, campgrounds, and other DEC lands, and codify rules and guidance already in place at many WMAs to make these rules enforceable. DEC is accepting public comments on the draft proposal until May 24.
“Ensuring our public lands are clean, safe, and enjoyable is a top priority for DEC and I applaud our staff for developing this proposal to keep regulations for the State’s Wildlife Management Areas up to date,” Commissioner Seggos said. “The proposed regulations will ensure our WMAs are protected and continue to provide quality hunting, trapping, fishing, and wildlife observation opportunities for years to come, and I encourage New Yorkers to review and comment on this comprehensive proposal.”
New York State has more than 120 WMAs containing nearly 250,000 acres, including 124,000 acres of forests and grasslands and 53,000 acres of wetlands. DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife manages an additional 38,000 acres of land, including Unique Areas and Multiple Use Areas, for a total of approximately 150 areas that thousands of New Yorkers visit and enjoy each year.
In the draft regulations currently out for public comment, DEC is proposing to update and clarify existing regulations defining the allowable activities and uses of WMAs. The proposals continue to prioritize activities that include hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. Among other proposed updates, the draft regulations would:
The regulatory proposal is available on the DEC website for review and public comment until May 24, 2021. Comments on the proposal should be submitted via e-mail to wildlife@dec.ny.gov or via mail to Bureau of Wildlife, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754. Please use subject line "Part 51 Regulations” for emails or letters.
Visitors to New York State’s WMAs should always be aware of the rules governing a particular area. Each WMA has a webpage that lists allowable activities and available facilities. Please refer to the webpage or kiosk of each WMA for specific restrictions. For most areas, statewide hunting and fishing regulations as well as statewide WMA regulations will apply. Go to DEC’s website describing the Public Use of Wildlife Management Areas for a list of existing allowable and restricted activities.
While enjoying outdoor spaces, DEC encourages visitors to continue to PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL and follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)/Department of Health guidelines for the preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19. |
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