The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released draft Access and Public Use Plans (APUPs) for Hanging Bog and Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The draft plans are available for public comment until March 2, 2022.

Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is comprised of 4,560 acres in Allegany County, north of the village of Cuba. The area contains rolling hills, forest land, fields, and marshes, and is named for the large man-made bog on the property that was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s. Hanging Bog WMA has a long history of small game management and remains a focus area for ruffed grouse management in New York State.  

Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is comprised of 2,190 acres of steeply sloped landscape in the town of Arkwright, Chautauqua County, that is covered primarily with deciduous forest interspersed with conifer plantations. The area drains to Canadaway Creek, which runs through the property. 

In conjunction with WMA regulations, APUPs serve as overarching guidance for providing public access to wildlife lands and determining public use activities appropriate for each area. 

The draft APUPs for Hanging Bog and Candaway Creek WMAs complement existing Habitat Management Plans (HMP) for each site and address management objectives for wildlife-dependent recreation, access features, and facility maintenance. Together, these plans form a comprehensive management plan for the WMAs and guide management for wildlife and public access over a 10-year time period, after which DEC will assess conditions and needs and update the plans as needed.