From the October 2006 issue

Still Time to Comment on Watson's East and Raquette Boreal UMPs

Comments are still being accepted on two draft Unit Management Plans (UMP): Watson's East Triangle Wild Forest and Raquette Boreal Unit. In both cases, public meetings were already held in September, however, DEC is still accepting written comments on Watson's East until October 13 and on Raquette Boreal until October 20.

Watson's East

The draft UMP for Watson's East Triangle Wild Forest includes easements on adjacent lands in the towns of Croghan, Diana, and Watson in Lewis County and the Town of Webb in Herkimer County. The wild forest unit consists of 13,229 acres of state forest preserve lands and two conservation easements (Lassiter and Croghan tracts) totaling 25,923 acres.

The Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie
River offers good brook trout fishing

The unit is bounded on the west by the Adirondack Park Blue Line, on the east by the Five Ponds and Pepperbox Wilderness Areas, on the north by the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest and on the south by the Beaver River, with the exception of a portion of the Croghan Tract easement, which extends south of the river. Being on the western edge of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, several of the unit's ponds support a good brook trout fishery as does the middle branch of the Oswegatchie River. Good access to the area affords many recreational opportunities, including, hiking, hunting, trapping and fishing. Several snowmobile trails also pass through the area and link to a larger network of trails.

Raquette Boreal

The Raquette Boreal area is home
to the endangered spruce grouse
(photo courtesy of USFWS)

Raquette Boreal Unit is in the towns of Colton, Piercefield and Hopkinton in St. Lawrence County. The unit is bounded on the North by Stark Road, Joe Indian Road and Joe Indian Pond, on the East by the West Branch of the St. Regis River and the St. Lawrence County line, on the south by State Highway 3, and on the west by State Highway 56.

The Raquette Boreal Unit is a mix of state-owned forest preserve lands and privately owned lands subject to conservation easements. The forest preserve portion of the unit includes the Raquette-Jordan Boreal Primitive Area (11,936 acres) and the Raquette River Wild Forest (3,057 acres). The following conservation easement lands are included in this unit: Lassiter Easement (15,617 acres), Conservation Fund Easement (13,268 acres), International Paper Easement (4,185 acres) and Niagara Mohawk Easement (1,057 acres).

The proximity of these lands to each other, the similarities of their natural resources, and current and potential interconnected recreational opportunities provide a strong rationale for combining these lands into one planning unit, thereby providing for planning over a broader landscape. However, ownership and classification differences necessitate the need for somewhat different management objectives and strategies for each sub-unit. For example, in some instances, certain recreational uses may be compatible across the entire unit while others may be limited to specific portions, based on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan requirements for forest preserve lands and restrictions on easement lands.

Why are UMPs Needed?

UMPs must be completed before significant new recreational facilities, such as trails, camping sites, or parking areas are constructed. UMPs includes an analyses of natural features and the ability of the land to accommodate public use. The planning process is designed to cover all environmental considerations for the unit and forms the basis for all proposed management activities for a five-year time period.

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, related legislation and resource and visitor-use information into a single document. Implementation of UMP recommendations provides protection of the natural resources of the forest preserve and outdoor recreational opportunities for the people of the state.

Copies of UMPs Available for Review

Both draft UMPs are available for review on DEC's Unit Management Plans web page. See, Getting Involved with Unit Management Plans at "Related Links" below for a table containing links to both plans. Both are also available for review at DEC headquarters in Albany, regional offices in Watertown and Ray Brook, and regional suboffices at Lowville, Herkimer and Potsdam. A limited number of printed copies are also available.

Watson's East's plan is available for review at the town offices of Croghan, Diana, Watson and Webb. Copies are available on Compact Disc (CD) from DEC's Lowville Office and may be requested by calling 315-376-3521. Raquette Boreal's plan is available for review at the town offices of Colton, Piercefield and Hopkinton in St. Lawrence County. Copies are available on CD from DEC's Potsdam office and may be requested by calling 315-265-3090.

To Comment:

Public comments will be accepted until October 13 for Watson's East and until October 20 for Raquette Boreal and may be sent to Keith Rivers, Senior Forester, NYSDEC,7327 State Route 812, Lowville, NY 13367, or e-mailed to: mailto:r6ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us?subject=UMP Comments for: (please include the name[s] of the UMP[s] you are commenting on in the subject line).