Environment DEC
From the September 2006 issue
Draft Unit Management Plan Issued for White Hill Wild Forest
A draft unit management plan (UMP) has been released for White Hill Wild Forest and adjacent easement lands in the towns of Colton, Hopkinton and Parishville in St. Lawrence County. The Wild Forest Unit consists of 9,856 acres of State Forest Preserve lands and two conservation easements (Lassiter and Niagara Mohawk) totaling 5,046 acres.
A UMP must be completed before significant new recreational facilities, such as trails, camping sites, or parking areas can be constructed. The plan includes an analysis of the natural features of the area 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 period.
Reviewing the Proposed Plan
The draft UMP will be 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 plan also will be available for review at the town offices of Colton, Hopkinton and Parishville.
Copies are available in electronic format for distribution on compact disc from DEC's Potsdam Office and may be requested by calling 315-265-3090. Some printed copies are available as well.
Public Meeting and Comments
A public meeting will be held at 6 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2006 at the Colton-Pierrepont Central School, located on State Highway 56 in the hamlet of Colton. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to comment on proposals in the draft UMP.
DEC also will accept written comments on the draft UMP until October 6, 2006. These comments should be e-mailed or sent to John Wood, Senior Forester, DEC, 6739 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY, 13676.
White Hill Wild Forest
White Hill Wild Forest has several
trails for hiking, cross-country
skiing and snowmobiling
White Hill Wild Forest is located in the northwest corner of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. The area offers many recreational opportunities including, but not limited to, hiking, hunting, trapping and fishing. Several snowmobile trails also pass through the area and link to a larger network of trails. The publicly owned land also has five beautiful, wild ponds-some that require an hour-long hike to access. These ponds have been described as among the quietest waters in the entire Adirondack Park.
