The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the acquisition of approximately 1,624 acres of conservation easement on lands in northern New York from the Open Space Institute (OSI). Approximately 1,414 acres were acquired through a conservation easement held by OSI on lands owned by Chazy Resource Management Inc. (CRMI) in Clinton County, while a 210-acre conservation easement in Essex County on lands owned by OSI was also purchased.   

“These lands in the Adirondacks will help protect forests from development, encourage ongoing, responsible forest management, and provide year-round recreational access,” said DEC Commissioner Lefton. “These protections connect people with their outdoor community and encourage more of the public to follow the lead of Governor Hochul’s initiative to get offline and get outside in the unparalleled beauty in the Adirondack Park.”   

The CRMI Conservation Easement includes more than 1,400 acres in the towns of Dannemora and Saranac, Clinton County. The easement was originally purchased by OSI and recently transferred to DEC. CRMI, the landowner, sold the original conservation easement to OSI in 2020. This easement protects the property from any future development on a total of 1,414 acres and provides public access along the former Delaware & Hudson Railway for approximately 16-miles and comprising approximately 200 acres. The conservation easement is largely hardwood forest and home to many Adirondack plants and animals typically found in this habitat, including white-tailed deer, porcupine, coyote, and more. As per the Interim Recreation Management Plan (IRMP), permitted recreational activities along the 16-mile former rail corridor include biking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV use. Fishing, hunting, and trapping by the public is not permitted on any part of this easement.

The Tahawus Core Historic Area Conservation Easement protects 210 acres in the Town of Newcomb, Essex County, on Upper Works Road owned by OSI. The property is the location of the historic village of Adirondac, which contains the MacNaughton Cottage circa 1854 and the remarkable stone blast furnace that was constructed more than 150 years ago. The property is a uniquely positioned access point for the High Peaks Wilderness Area, providing trailhead parking for the Mount Adams Fire Tower, East River, Calamity Brook, and Indian Pass Trails. Protecting these 210 acres improves public access to one of the busiest trailheads to the southern High Peaks and the most popular wilderness area in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Recreational activities permitted include year-round non-motorized activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, skiing, and nature study. Motorized access is restricted to Upper Works Road, while Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) are permitted on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about DEC’s OPDMD program, visit https://dec.ny.gov/places-to-go/accessible-recreation/case-by-case-accommodation-program-for-power-driven-mobility-devices

The approximately 1,624 acres recently acquired add to the more than 900,000 acres of conservation easement lands managed by DEC. Conservation easements are legal, voluntary agreements made between private landowners and New York State. While the private entity retains ownership, the easement becomes its own property deed and is held by the State of New York in perpetuity, even if the land is sold to another private entity. The state and landowner agree on the terms of the easement, unique to each agreement, which can include permanent protection of lands from development, protection of historic sites and unique wildlife habitat, and new or expanded public recreational access. For more information on Conservation Easements, visit https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/conservation-easements

Representative of Boeselager Forestry and CRMI Deborah Boyce said, “Chazy Resources is committed to working with New York State for the continued recreation on the 16 mile corridor between Dannemora and Lyon Mountain. We encourage users to join one of the clubs that maintain the corridor.”

President and CEO, OSI Erik Kulleseid said, “OSI has worked for decades to protect and preserve the Adirondacks’ remarkable landscapes, ecology, and legacy. At Upper Works, we’ve invested more than $2.1 million over 20 years to add trails and make the land more welcoming for users of all abilities, promote sustainable recreation, and provide thoughtful stewardship. We are proud to work with our partners at DEC and the Town of Newcomb to ensure this special place continues to be enjoyed by generations to come.”

Both the CRMI and the Tahawus Core Historic Area Conservation Easements are open now for public recreation. Each area’s IRMP establishes what public activities are permitted and what specific parts of the easements are open for public access. DEC is working with local groups to establish Volunteer Stewardship Agreements (VSA) for the CRMI Conservation Easement, which will ensure the 16-mile trail corridor is maintained for allowable use. VSAs are an essential part of site management for DEC lands, with volunteers passionate about maintaining trails and improving public access for all. For recreationists interested in learning more about the and recreation management for each site, both IRMP’s are available on DEC’s website: Chazy Highlands Wild Forest and High Peaks Wilderness Complex.

Passenger vehicles and trucks are not permitted on the railroad bed unless there is a deeded easement to drive on the railroad bed. There is no public access on the forest parcel north of Route 374 except for snowmobile use once that trail is constructed.   

Funding for both Conservation Easements was provided through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The EPF is the principal source funding protection of open space and public land acquisition in the State of New York and supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. The EPF also supports New York’s 30x30 initiative, which commits to conserving 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.

Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James recently announced a landmark agreement to modernize the process to secure and protect critical open spaces statewide. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) streamlines and clarifies the legal and administrative review procedures for fee and conservation easement acquisitions to facilitate and expedite open space projects that preserve water quality, protect wildlife habitat and diverse ecosystems, promote working lands and support rural economies, increase climate mitigation and resiliency, and expand recreation and public access opportunities across the state.