The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for St. Lawrence Rock Ridge is out for public comment through April 30. The 21,575-acre St. Lawrence Rock Ridge planning unit is located in southwestern St. Lawrence County towns of DeKalb, Depeyster, Edwards, Fowler, Gouverneur, Hammond, Hermon, Macomb, Pitcairn, and Rossie, and in the northeastern Lewis County town of Diana.

The unit consists of 15 State Forests—Beaver Creek, Bonner Lake, California Road, Cold Spring Brook, Fire-Fall, Greenwood Creek, Hickory Lake, Lonesome Bay, Pleasant Lake, South Hammond, Stammer Creek, Toothaker Creek, Trout Lake, Wolf Lake, and Yellow Lake—and nine detached Forest Preserve parcels. The draft UMP proposes several new recreational features, including seven hiking trails, six lean-tos, five campsites, four informational kiosks, and new and improved trails for the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD). Additionally, the plan focuses on increased invasive species management and continued sustainable forest management throughout the unit.

A virtual presentation and complete copy of the draft UMP are available on the DEC website. An online survey to accept public comments is available at https://forms.office.com/g/Ez7L5yfT1T. Comments can be submitted by mail to Tony Sparacino, Forester, DEC Potsdam Sub-Office, 190 Outer Main St, Suite 103, Potsdam, NY 13676, or by email to r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.