Environment DEC
From the September 2006 issue
Addendum to Draft UMP for Moose River Plains Wild Forest
There are plenty of areas for
primitive camping in the forest
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released an addendum to the draft unit management plan (UMP) for the 85,677-acre Moose River Plains Wild Forest in the towns of Inlet, Morehouse, Long Lake, Arietta and Lake Pleasant in Hamilton County and the towns of Ohio and Webb in Herkimer County.
As a result of public comment, DEC is proposing a change to the configuration of snowmobile trails in this forest originally proposed in the draft UMP released in March 2006. These changes will involve closure of some existing snowmobile trails and construction of a new snowmobile trail to enable a wild forest connection between Inlet and Raquette Lake that avoids plowed roads and water crossings.
The proposal will require approximately 4.3 miles of new trail construction, with a large portion of the proposed route using old roads and existing snowmobile trails. It also will include closure of approximately 8.7 miles of existing but little-used snowmobile trails or trail segments. In response to public comments and to enhance public access throughout the year, the proposed new snowmobile trail also would be designated for hiking and all-terrain bicycling.
Public Review and Comment
The addendum to the draft UMP is available for public review at DEC headquarters in Albany, DEC regional offices in Watertown and Ray Brook and at DEC's Northville, Warrensburg, Herkimer, Lowville and Potsdam regional sub-offices. The addendum also will be available for review at the town offices of Inlet, Long Lake, Lake Pleasant, Arietta and Morehouse in Hamilton County and the towns of Inlet and Ohio in Herkimer County. Copies of the addendum in a CD format, as well as a limited number of printed copies, are available from DEC's Northville Office.
DEC will accept written comments on the addendum and the draft UMP until September 22, 2006. Public comments may be e-mailed or sent to Keith Rivers, Senior Forester, NYSDEC, 7327 State Route 812, Lowville, NY 13367.
