The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued the Brown Tract Pond Campground Unit Management Plan (UMP) to guide management action for this public campground over the next five years. The campground is located two miles northwest of the Village of Raquette Lake, on Browns Tract Road in the town of Arietta, Hamilton County.

DEC is hosting a public availability session to receive input on the draft plan and answer questions about campground management on Aug. 30, 2018 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brown Tract Pond Campground, Uncas Road, Raquette Lake, NY 13436.

The availability session will provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the proposed management actions in the draft plan and to comment on the proposals. Please call (518) 897-1248 at least two weeks in advance of the meeting with any specific accommodation questions or requests.

This 90-site campground offers flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, picnic tables, fire places, car top boat launch (Brown Tract Pond), boat and canoe rentals, and sand beach with bathhouse. The remote Adirondack setting offers campsites that are large and well-forested. Camping equipment from tents to 30 foot RVs can be accommodated. The campground is located on the eastern shore of 146-acre Lower Browns Tract Pond. The campground provides a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, paddling, fishing, swimming, and hiking. The campground launch is restricted to smaller boats, and no motors are allowed on the pond.

The draft plan for the Brown Tract Pond Campground can be viewed and downloaded at (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24456.html) and proposes the following management activities:

• Replace ticket booth
• Construct firewood storage building
• Reconstruct comfort station #1 & #4 to include showers
• Install utility sinks at all toilet buildings
• Construct a garage/workshop

DEC will accept public comments on the draft plan until Sept. 30, 2018, and comments can be submitted to Josh Houghton, NYSDEC Bureau of Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233. 5253, or by email to campinfo@dec.ny.gov. Copies of the draft plan are also available on computer disc and may be obtained by calling, (518) 457-2500.