Environment DEC
From the March 2007 issue
Draft UMPs Issued for Nicks Lake and Alger Island Campgrounds
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the release of draft unit management plans (UMP) for the Nicks Lake and Alger Island campgrounds in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County. A UMP must be completed before significant new recreational facilities can be constructed. It 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 a unit and forms the basis for all proposed management activities for a five-year period.
A public meeting was held on Thursday, February 15, 2007, at the Town of Webb Information Center in Old Forge. It gave the public an opportunity to learn more about proposed management actions in the draft UMPs and to provide comments. DEC also will accept written comments on the draft UMPs until March 15, 2007.
Nicks Lake Public Campground
The older forests in Nicks Lake Campground provide a sense of remoteness
Nicks Lake Public Campground is located on the shores of Nicks Lake, surrounded by older forests which give campers a sense of remoteness and tranquility. The campground contains 112 campsites for tents and trailers. It has flush toilets, hot showers, a trailer dump station and a recycling center. The day-use area includes a picnic area, picnic pavilion, car-top boat launch (no motors), sandy swimming beach and a bathhouse. Both the campground and picnic area contain facilities accessible to people with disabilities. Anglers can fish for brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish, and a nature recreation program is offered throughout the summer for campers
Proposed management activities include the following:
- Repair and resurface roadways and parking areas
- Modernize the water system in camping loop D
- Upgrade fishing access pier to provide barrier-free access to the lake
- Reconstruct bathroom buildings to comply with ADA guidelines
Alger Island Public Campground
There is a sandy swimming beach located at the Nick's Lake Campground
Alger Island Public Campground is a 45-acre island located on Fourth Lake of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. It is accessible by boat only and includes 15 lean-to sites with fireplaces, picnic tables and pit privies, as well as a picnic area with picnic tables, fireplaces and pit privies, plus 1.2 miles of hiking trails.
Proposed management activities include the following:
- Install composting toilets to replace pit privies
- Repair eight lean-to's
- Stabilize 250 feet of shoreline
Fourth Lake Day-Use Area
The Fourth Lake Day-Use Area is the headquarters where registration and permits are issued for Alger Island. This facility contains parking for picnicking and boat-launching access for car-top boats only. There are picnic tables, grills and bathroom facilities. A state-owned boat launch with a ramp for launching larger, motorized boats is located on Route 28 in the Village of Inlet. Motorboats, rowboats and canoes are allowed at the state boat launch.
Proposed management activities include the following:
- Repave access road and parking area
- Stabilize 250 feet of shoreline
- Conduct evaluation of upgrading the car-top launch to a boat-ramp launch
- Construct two docks for water access
- Upgrade the existing comfort station to comply with ADA guidelines
Public Review and Comments
The draft UMPs are available for public review at DEC's regional offices in Herkimer and Watertown and the Town of Webb's offices. Copies of the draft UMPs also can be requested from DEC's Bureau of Recreation by calling 518-457-2500, or by sending an email. Public comments on the draft UMPs may be sent to: Tom Folts, General Manager, Forest Parks, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5253.
