The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comments on a draft Access and Public Use Plan (APUP) for the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Northern Montezuma WMA includes more than 8,000 acres of DEC-managed properties in Wayne, Seneca, and Cayuga counties. 

Northern Montezuma WMA is known for its expansive impounded and natural wetlands, while also featuring forested and grassland habitats that support many game species and several species of conservation concern. This WMA is part of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, a globally significant Important Bird Area and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts across New York State. 

The draft APUP complements the existing Habitat Management Plan (HMP) for Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 2020 –2029 and addresses management objectives for wildlife-dependent recreation, access features, and facility maintenance over a 10-year period. The draft APUP is available for review on DEC’s “Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area” web page. 

Objectives include:  

• Maintaining and enhancing parking areas, kiosks, observation platforms, and boat launches; 
• Providing a variety of hunting, trapping, and wildlife observation opportunities by maintaining a high-quality and diverse matrix of wetland conditions and upland habitat types; and 
• Improving accessibility for people with disabilities to observation platforms and the Montezuma Audubon Center.