From the August 2005 issue

Draft UMP Issued for St. Regis Canoe Area

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan has announced the release of a draft unit management plan (UMP) for the 18,000-acre St. Regis Canoe Area in the towns of Santa Clara, Brighton and Harrietstown, Franklin County.

The St. Regis Canoe Area is the only designated canoe area in New York State

"While we continue to make progress on completing unit management plans in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, we are committed to developing quality plans," Commissioner Sheehan said. "The release of the draft unit management plan for the St. Regis Canoe Area is another step in our efforts to improve public access and ensure the protection of the Adirondacks for future generations. As always, the public's participation has been, and will continue to be, invaluable throughout the planning process."

A public meeting will be held at 6 PM on Wednesday August 10, 2005, at the Freer Science Auditorium at Paul Smith's College. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about proposed management actions in the draft UMP and to provide comment. DEC also will accept written comments on the draft UMP until August 26, 2005.

St. Regis Canoe Area

The only designated canoe area in New York State, the St. Regis Canoe Area is where the watercourses and the number and proximity of lakes and ponds make remote and unconfined water-oriented recreation possible in a wilderness setting. The 18,000-acre area includes St. Regis Mountain, St. Regis and Long ponds, sections of the east and west branches of the St. Regis River, and 56 other waterbodies. It is bounded by private property on the north, the Santa Clara town line on the west, the Lake Placid-Remsen railroad corridor on the south and Upper St. Regis Lake and the Santa Clara town line on the east.

The canoe area is part of a network of recreational waterways in New York State that attract canoeists and kayakers from across the country. In addition, it offers excellent opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting and fishing.

Proposed Management Activities

The draft UMP contains proposed management activities, including the following:

Allowing mountain bike use on the Fish Pond truck trail
Imposing maximum group size limits of eight for overnight use and 15 for day use
Prohibiting drive-in camping, closing off this traditional use along Keese Mills Road
Designating a hiking trail from Upper St. Regis Lake to St. Regis Mountain
Increasing recreational opportunities for people with disabilities
Retaining the St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower until reclassification of the area surrounding the tower has been considered
Taking measures to protect mountain summits and scenic views

Unit Management Plans

A UMP must be completed before significant new recreational facilities, such as trails, lean-tos, 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.

UMPs are required by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan for each unit of state land in the Adirondack Park. These plans integrate the goals and objectives of the master plan, related legislation, and resource and visitor-use information into a single document.

Public Review and Comments

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 suboffices. It also will be available for review at the town offices of Santa Clara, Brighton and Harrietstown. In addition, the plan is available on CD from DEC's Ray Brook Office, and a limited number of printed copies are available as well. A summary of the document can be viewed by using the link below to DEC's Website.

Public comments on the draft UMP will be accepted until August 26, 2005 and should be e-mailed or sent via postal mail to: Steven Guglielmi, Senior Forester, NYSDEC, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY, 12977.

Directions to Meeting Location

Paul Smith's College is located at the intersection of state routes 30 and 86, approximately 12 miles northeast of the Village of Saranac Lake. Directions to the Freer Science Building: Enter the campus through the main entrance; turn left at the first stop sign; continue until the road enters a large parking lot, and park in this area. The Freer Science Building is on the right, and the auditorium is on the first floor across from the main doorway.