The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the temporary closure of several state forest roads and boat launch sites in Western New York for necessary site maintenance and improvement projects. In addition, several State forest roads are now open as site improvement projects are completed. Below is a summary of updates by location.

Temporary Closures:

• Turnpike State Forest Access Road in Turnpike State Forest, Allegany County, will be temporarily closed during October 2023. As part of a timber sale, Turnpike Forest Road will be rehabilitated in early October and will be closed to vehicle traffic while fresh gravel is set. Turnpike State Forest will still be accessible from Stewart Forest Road and nearby town roads.  Alternative state properties to visit across Western New York are available on DEC's website.

• Cuba Lake Boat Launch Site, Village of Cuba, Allegany County, will be closed for paving during the first week of October.Paving work is weather dependent, but is anticipated to occur Oct. 5 and 6.  The parking area will reopen upon completion of paving. Alternative options for fishing access sites are available on DEC's website.

• Prendergast Point Boat Launch and fishing access site, Chautauqua County, will be closed several days during the first week of October for paving. Paving work is weather dependent, but is anticipated to occur Oct. 5 and Oct.  The parking area will re-open upon completion of paving. Alternative options for fishing access sites are available on DEC's website.

• The northern portion of Dixon Forest Access Road in Bully Hill State Forest, Allegany County will be temporarily closed until April 2024. The northern portion of Dixon Forest Road was rehabilitated as part of a timber sale and will be closed to vehicle traffic to enable new culvert improvements, back slopes, and fresh gravel to adequately settle and harden.  Bully Hill State Forest can still be accessed from Sterns Forest Access Road, Connection Forest Access Road, the southern portion of Dixon Forest Access Road, and nearby town roads.  Alternative state properties to visit across Western New York are available on DEC's website.

Reopening:

• Kriedeman Forest Access Road and campsites, East Otto State Forest, Cattaraugus County are reopened. Construction and road maintenance work to rehabilitate Kriedeman Forest Road and improve access to campsites at this location is complete. The site improvement project included re-grading, shaping, and installing fresh gravel on Kriedeman Forest Road, in addition to rehabilitation of the road's ditch to improve storm water drainage. To enhance visitor safety and convenience, additional improvements are planned at this site next year which include parking area reconstruction, installation of a non-flush, waterless toilet, and the installation of bear-proof garbage cans.

• Rock City Forest Road in Rock City State Forest, Cattaraugus County, has reopened. Work to re-grade, shape, and install fresh gravel for road restoration is complete.