Environment DEC
From the August 2005 issue
DEC Seeks Public Input on Draft Unit Management Plans
Mountain biking is among many
popular uses of public lands in
New York State.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released the draft Tioga State Forests Unit Management Plan (UMP) and the draft Broome State Forests UMP. The Tioga UMP includes four state forests that encompass 3,692 acres, and the Broome UMP includes eight state forests that encompass 5,373 acres. All proposed facilities and trails in both units will be constructed according to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Principles of Universal Design, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).
Broome State Forests UMP
The eight state forests in the Broome UMP include: Hawkins Pond, Marsh Pond, Skyline Drive, Cascade Valley, Beaver Pond, Whittaker Swamp, Cat Hollow and Tracy Creek. They offer numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Proposed Actions
Proposed management actions in the draft UMP include the following:
A hiker uses one of
the many trails
through the forest
- Designating 360 acres as natural or protected areas, where surface disturbances such as logging and trail construction will be prohibited
- Completing and maintaining two camping sites at Marsh Pond State Forest
- Maintaining 2.2 miles of trail open to ATV use by people with mobility impairment at Whittaker Swamp State Forest
- Maintaining 2.2 miles of cross-country ski trail at Hawkins Pond State Forest
- Installing an informational kiosk at each forest and preparing an informational brochure for the unit
The draft Broome UMP also describes the process DEC follows prior to leasing state forests in the unit for oil and natural gas exploration and development. The plan provides for sustainable timber management and includes a proposed schedule of timber sales. It also contains aerial photos and forest-type maps that depict the tree species composition of the forest stands and proposed stand-management directions.
Meeting and Public Comments
A public meeting on the draft Broome State Forests UMP was held on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 in the Village of Windsor. DEC Region 7 Forestry staff made a brief presentation explaining highlights of the plan, and this was followed by a public comment period.
Review Copies
Copies of the Broome draft UMP are available for review during normal business hours at the following locations:
- DEC Kirkwood Sub-Office, 1679 Rte. 11, Kirkwood
- DEC Division of Lands and Forests Office, 2715 Rte. 80, Sherburne
- DEC Division of Lands and Forests Office, 1285 Fisher Ave., Cortland
- DEC Region 7 Headquarters, 615 Erie Blvd. West, Syracuse
- Broome County Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton
- Broome County Environmental Management Council, Edwin Crawford County Office Building, Binghamton
- Vestal Library, 320 Vestal Pky East, Vestal
- Town of Sanford, 91 Second St., Deposit
- Town of Windsor, 124 Main St., Windsor
- Town of Kirkwood, 70 Crescent Drive, Kirkwood
- Town of Owego, 2354 Rte. 434, Apalachin
Written Comments
Written public comments on the draft Broome UMP are welcome and are due by August 26, 2005. Please send them to: NYSDEC, Division of Lands and Forests, ATTN: Broome UMP Comments, 1679 Rte. 11, Kirkwood, NY, 13795, or e-mail comments to Gerry Kachmor.
Tioga State Forests UMP
The largest of Tioga's four state forests is the 1,349-acre Jenksville State Forest located in the towns of Berkshire and Newark Valley. Also included in the plan are Fairfield State Forest, Ketchumville State Forest and Oakley Corners State Forest.
These forests offer many recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, bird watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and improved all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) access for people with mobility impairments.
Proposed Actions
Proposed management actions in the draft UMP include the following:
- Implementation of forestry and best management practices (BMPs) that sustain or enhance overall ecosystem health and wildlife species diversity by providing diverse habitats and by protecting water resources
- Maintenance of the 28 miles of highly valued recreational trails on the unit in partnership with Adopt-A-Natural Resource (AANR) volunteers
- Construction of an additional parking lot, informational kiosks for each state forest, and three permit-only campsites
- Construction of a new 4,200-foot-long trail loop to improve ATV access for people with mobility impairments
- Continued public opportunities for hunting, fishing and trapping
The draft UMP also recommends that DEC allow the leasing of state forests in the Tioga Unit for oil and natural gas exploration and development, with significant restrictions on surface disturbances to protect wetlands, streams, and recreational uses. It continues to prohibit ATV use in the unit by the general public. However, individuals with qualifying mobility impairments who possess a valid permit from DEC may operate ATVs on specifically designated and signed accessible trails.
Meeting and Public Comments
A public meeting was held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 in the Village of Candor. It included a brief presentation by Region 7 DEC Forestry staff who explained the highlights of the plan. The meeting was followed by comments from the public.
Review Copies
Copies of the draft Tioga UMP are available for review during normal business hours at the following locations:
- DEC Division of Lands and Forests Office, 1215 Fisher Ave., Cortland
- DEC Region 7 Headquarters, 615 Erie Blvd. West, Syracuse
- Berkshire Free Library, 12519-1 State Route 38, Berkshire
- Candor Free Library, 2 Bank St., Candor
- Coburg Free Library, 275 Main St., Oswego
- Town of Berkshire, 18 Railroad Ave., Berkshire
- Town of Candor, 101 Owego Road, Candor
- Town of Newark Valley, 109 Whig St., Newark Valley
- Town of Oswego, 2354 State Route 434, Apalachin, Owego
Written Comments
Written public comments on the draft Tioga UMP should be sent by August 27, 2005 to the following: NYSDEC, Division of Lands and Forests, ATTN: Tioga UMP Comments, 1285 Fisher Ave., Cortland, NY, 13045-1090, or e-mailed to John Clancy.
Both draft UMPs are available on DEC's Website, and can be viewed by using the link below.
