Environment DEC
From the August 2008 issue
Public Invited to Review Proposed Management Plan for 46-Corners State Forest
A proposed management plan for the 46-Corners State Forest, featuring new wildlife viewing platforms, universally accessible fishing piers and a snowmobile parking lot, is now available for public review, DEC Region 6 Director Judy Drabicki announced recently. The public has an opportunity to comment on the draft unit management plan (UMP) for 46-Corners at a meeting slated for 6:00 PM, Tuesday, August 5, at the Camden High School cafeteria. The school is located at the corner of Route 13 and Florence Hill Road in the Village of Camden, Oneida County. People are encouraged to attend to express their opinion on the management objectives outlined in the draft plan.
UMP Covers a Huge Tract
The management plan includes parts of three counties, eight state forests and 1,520 acres of wetlands, including beaver ponds
The 46-Corners UMP covers 18,032 acres of state forest land spread across parts of Annsville, Camden and Florence (Oneida County), Redfield (Oswego County) and Lewis (Lewis County). The UMP encompasses eight state forests, including: Big Brook, Cobb Brook, Fall Brook, Florence Hill, Furnace Creek, Mad River, Tri-county and Swancott Hill. All are located north of state routes 13 and 69, north of the Village of Camden, and between the east and west branches of Fish Creek. Most county and town roads touch various pieces of the state forests and the area is part of the Tug Hill Plateau.
The state forests are dedicated to watershed protection, forest products production, and outdoor recreation. The UMP addresses those objectives, as well as wildlife resources management, open space conservation, public access issues and the use of woody biomass (waste from logging operations) as a "green energy" resource. The plan tries to balance management of the area in a way that is compatible with protecting its natural resources from adverse impacts. The overall objective for the unit focuses on maintaining its wildness, preserving historical uses, ensuring biological diversity, and optimizing public benefits.
The Lay of the Land
A main recommendation of the plan is to allow sustainable softwood timber harvesting while also maintaining wildlife habitat
The forest is easily accessible, with 56 miles of roads (county, town and DEC forest access roads) dissecting the unit. The landscape is enhanced by the 1,520 acres of wetlands, much of which includes beaver ponds and old beaver meadows. Abundant wetlands provide plenty of opportunities for trappers in pursuit of beaver, mink, otter and fisher. Fifty miles of tributaries provide excellent trout-spawning habitat. Anglers and bird watchers enjoy four man-made ponds in the unit. Twenty-nine miles of snowmobile trails are located throughout the unit, as well as two miles of trails designated for ATV use for persons with disabilities.
A major recommendation of the draft plan is to develop a sustainable timber harvest schedule. Guidelines are outlined in the plan for all harvesting activities around streams, ponds and wetlands. The plan's forestry objectives are designed to maintain a strong softwood timber harvesting component while also maintaining key wildlife habitat.
New Recreation Facilities Proposed
New viewing platforms will allow visitors to better appreciate the forest's birds and other wildlife
New recreation facilities proposed in the draft plan include:
- A wildlife viewing platform at the end of Wentworth Road on Furnace Creek State Forest.
- Universally accessible fishing piers for both Johnny Smith Pond and Cassbaker Pond.
- Eighteen campsites: nine will be in high-use areas, including on Johnny Smith Pond and Cassbaker Pond.; the other nine would be primitive campsites located off the roads in the various state forests.
- A snowmobile parking lot to accommodate 25 trailered vehicles off Hanifin Road.
- A cross-country ski trail on Mad River State Forest.
The draft UMP is available for public review at the DEC headquarters in Albany, the DEC regional office in Watertown, and at the DEC's Lowville and Herkimer regional suboffices. Copies are available in print form or electronic format on compact disc from the Lowville office and may be requested by calling 315-376-3521. The draft plan is also available for review on the 46-Corners Management Unit web page on DEC's website.
To Comment
Any individual or organization interested in providing comments or receiving additional information about the UMP recommendations can contact Andrea Mercurio at DEC, 7327 State Route 812 Lowville, NY 13367; or call 315-376-3521. Comments can also be e-mailed to r6ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us and should be received by no later than August 30, 2008.
