DEC Contact: David Winchell | (518) 897-1248 June 07, 2017
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DEC RELEASES DRAFT SARANAC LAKES WILD FOREST UMP FOR REVIEW |
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The draft Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) for 76,000 acres of Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondacks has been released for public review and comment, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. “The proposed management actions in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Draft UMP bolsters Governor Cuomo’s ongoing efforts to increase and improve access to outdoor recreation opportunities while protecting the State’s natural resources,” said Commissioner Seggos. “DEC continues to work to connect Adirondack communities with the nearby Forest Preserve and ensure the Forest Preserve is an asset to local economies.” Saranac Lakes Wild Forest (SLWF) is comprised of 76,000 acres of Forest Preserve lands and 19,600 acres of lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds in the towns of Santa Clara, Brighton, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, and Franklin in Franklin County and the towns of St. Armand and North Elba in Essex County. Three of the largest population centers in the Adirondack Park – the villages of Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid – are located within the general boundaries of the unit. DEC has scheduled two availability sessions and two public meetings to provide information on the management actions proposed in the draft UMP. During the availability sessions, the public will have the opportunity to review maps, fact sheets, and other documents, ask DEC staff questions, and provide comments. DEC staff will also be available to answer questions during the first 30 minutes of the public meetings, after which DEC will share a presentation on the draft UMP and the public will have the opportunity to comment. Availability Sessions and Public Meetings
The waterways of SLWF are plentiful, making the area a popular destination for boaters, paddlers, anglers, and campers. Biking and hiking are also popular outdoor activities in the summer. In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are popular. The draft UMP identifies new recreation opportunities to help foster connections between the local communities and the SLWF. The draft UMP also proposes changes to comply with guidelines in the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) and to address impacts from recreational overuse. An overview of the proposed management actions include:
The legal status of the Averyville Road (aka Kelly Road or Pine Pond Road), which runs from the end of Averyville Road in North Elba to the southern shore of Oseetah Lake in Harrietstown and serves as the boundary between the Wild Forest and the High Peaks Wilderness, will not be resolved in the draft UMP, as it not the proper venue to make the required legal determination. The draft UMP is available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/22593.html. Presentations and fact sheets summarizing the proposed management actions for campsites, motorboats, and trails are also available to view or download from the same web page. Copies of the draft UMP are also available for review at DEC Region 5 Headquarters in Ray Brook and the offices of the towns of Santa Clara, Brighton, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Franklin, St. Armand, and North Elba. CDs with the Draft UMP are available at the same locations. Public comments will be accepted until close of business on August 11, 2017. Written comments may be mailed to Forester Steve Guglielmi, NYSDEC Region 5, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977 or sent by e-mail to: r5.ump@dec.ny.gov. |
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