The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding a public meeting on June 27, at the Fred and Harriett Taylor Memorial Library, 21 William Street, Hammondsport, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to accept comments on the draft Keuka Unit Management Plan. This is an updated plan from what was formerly the Keuka Highlands and Lowlands Unit Management Plan (UMP).

"Public comment is an important part of DEC’s land management process,” DEC Region 8 Regional Director Tim P. Walsh said. “The draft Keuka Unit Management Plan looks at opportunities and accessibility to lands and waters and we encourage input to help make decisions on managing these lands for public enjoyment and resource protection.”

The Keuka Unit is made up of 9,806 acres of public lands in Steuben and Schuyler counties. The draft UMP designates a Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities access route, improvements to fish migration, and land acquisition.

 The draft UMP includes:  

• Birdseye Hollow State Forest
• Cold Brook Wildlife Management Area
• Moss Hill State Forest
• Mount Washington State Forest
• Pigtail Hollow State Forest
• Urbana State Forest
• Waneta-Lamoka Wildlife Management Area

The draft UMP is available for review at: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/keukaump.pdf. In addition to the June 27 public meeting, DEC is accepting public comments until July 31, 2024. The public should mail comments to: Gretchen Cicora, Supervising Forester, NYSDEC, State Land Management, 7291 Coon Road, Bath, NY 14810, or email comments to: R8.ump@dec.ny.gov.

At the meeting, interpreter services shall be made available to deaf persons, and translator services shall be made available to persons with limited English proficiency, at no charge for either service, upon written request. Requests must be received by June 13, 2024, and directed to the NYSDEC - Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4500, Phone: (518) 402-8044, E-mail: language@dec.ny.gov.