Environment DEC
From the July 2004 issue
Draft Unit Management Plan Released for Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest
The draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the 92,000-acre Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest has been completed, and written public comments will be accepted until July 31, 2004. Located in the central Adirondacks, the forest consists of State Forest Preserve lands within the towns of Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson and Schroon Lake in Essex County, Chester and Johnsburg in Warren County, and Indian Lake in Hamilton County.
Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest surrounds Route 28N between Newcomb and Minerva. It is bordered on the north by the High Peaks Wilderness Area and Dix Mountain Wilderness; to the east by the Hoffman Notch Wilderness and Hammond Pond Wild Forest; to the south by Lake George Wild Forest, and to the south and west by Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, Siamese Ponds Wilderness, and Hudson Gorge Primitive Area.
Vanderwhacker Forest offers several recreational opportunities, including hiking, skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. It contains many lakes and ponds, as well as its namesake, Vanderwhacker Mountain, and the Boreas River-a designated scenic river. The Santanoni Historic Area is adjacent to Vanderwhacker Forest.
Proposed Management Activities
The draft UMP covers proposed management activities, including the following:
- Facilitating snowmobile access between Minerva and Newcomb, and also between Schroon Lake and Pottersville
- Constructing several new foot trails, including those at Moxham Mountain, Wolf Pond, Vanderwhacker Pond, Raymond Brook, and around the Santanoni Historic Area
- Improving recreational opportunities for people with mobility impairments, including upgrades to several campsites and canoe launches within the unit
- Building lean-to's at Wolf Pond and Cheney Pond
- Establishing and maintaining several quality fisheries for brook trout
Unit Management Plans
UMPs are required by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan for each unit of state land in the Adirondack Park. The plans integrate the goals and objectives of the master plan with resource and visitor-use information into a single document. A UMP must be completed before significant new facilities, such as trails, lean-to's, or parking areas, can be built. It includes an analysis of the natural features of the area and the ability of the land to accommodate public use. The planning process covers all environmental considerations for the unit and forms the basis for all proposed management activities for a five-year period.
Draft UMPs are available for public review at DEC headquarters in Albany, DEC regional offices in Watertown and Ray Brook, and at DEC's Northville, Warrensburg, Lowville, and Potsdam regional suboffices. They also are available for review at the town offices of Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, Schroon Lake, Chester, Johnsburg, and Indian Lake. Copies are available on CD at the DEC Warrensburg Office, and may be requested by calling (518) 623-1265. A limited number of printed copies is also available.
Public comments, which will be accepted until July 31, 2004, should be sent to Michael Curley, Supervising Forester, NYSDEC, PO Box 220, Warrensburg, NY 12885, or e-mailed to him at DEC.
