Environment DEC
From the December 2006 issue
Governor Announces 575-Acre Acquisition for Sterling Forest
One of the most scenic areas of
the Catskills, Sterling Forest
is home to 18,200 acres of
forests, lakes and streams
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced the acquisition of 575 acres to expand Sterling Forest State Park in Orange County. The new property increases the size of Sterling Forest, one of the largest state parks in New York, to more than 18,200 acres of forests, lakes, streams, and other sensitive natural resources. The scenic acreage that was purchased, though surrounded by the public parkland, had been vulnerable to development.
Full Array of Resources Now Protected
"This latest acquisition represents the final step in protecting the full array of natural resources and wildlife habitats at Sterling Forest State Park for generations to come," Governor Pataki said. "With this purchase, we are not only increasing the outdoor opportunities for the public at this incredible scenic property, but furthering our commitment to safeguarding open space in the New York/New Jersey Highlands and throughout the Palisades."
The property, known as the Sterling Forge parcel, consists of an irregularly shaped 575-acre area with extensive frontage along both the southeast and northwest sides of County Route 84 (Long Meadow Road). The site's topography varies from rolling to steeply sloping land. The southern section of the property features a 36-acre pond. A 15-acre wetland lies at the easternmost section of the property, and various other wetlands, totaling about 25 acres, are scattered throughout. The state's $13.5 million purchase from Sterling Forest® LLC was supported through the Environmental Protection Fund.
The Forested Anchor of the NY/NJ Highlands
Sterling Forest State Park is centrally located within the New York/New Jersey Highlands, a 1.1 million-acre stretch of contiguous habitat from the Hudson River to the Delaware River. Sterling Forest, is the forested anchor of the New York/New Jersey Highlands. The tract links Abram S. Hewitt State Park in New Jersey with Harriman State Park in New York, and protects the corridor around the Appalachian Trail, which traverses the northern portion of Sterling Forest, and the full length of the Sterling Ridge Trail. The park is part of the New York State Parks system and administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
In 1998, Governor Pataki announced the acquisition of the first 15,280 acres that created Sterling Forest. Since the initial announcement, another 3,000 acres have been added to the park, including this latest acquisition. In 2003, the governor and U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey opened the U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Visitor Center at Sterling Forest State Park.
Bird Conservation Area Designated Too
In addition to serving as a watershed for millions of residents in New Jersey and New York, Sterling Forest and its habitats are vital for the survival of many resident and migratory species, including black bear and a variety of hawks and songbirds, as well as many rare invertebrates and plants. The governor also designated a 16,833-acre portion of the park as a Bird Conservation Area (BCA) in an effort to protect the habitat of various bird species living in the area.
