Environment DEC
From the October 2008 issue
DEC Finalizes Catskill Park State Land Master Plan
The plan guiding future management of the state's 292,000 acres in the Catskill Forest Preserve was recently finalized. The update to the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan has been the subject of extensive public comment and review and the new version strikes an appropriate balance of protecting the wilderness and expanding recreational enjoyment. Among other changes, the plan adds a "Primitive Bicycle Corridor" for recreation and includes invasive species management to address emerging threats to resources.
Connecting New Yorkers to Nature
"The finalized master plan incorporates the significant public input we received throughout the development process and will assist DEC in managing the Catskill Forest Preserve to balance public needs with the protection of our precious resources," Commissioner Pete Grannis said. "We will also continue to work with our partners like the Catskill municipalities and New York City to foster new opportunities for recreation and connecting New Yorkers to nature in this unique region, while ensuring that the resources are protected for this and future generations."
The complete press release on which this story is based includes a brief history of the Catskill Forest Preserve and the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan, highlighting specific changes in the final plan. Remarks of other dignitaries present at the announcement are also included. The complete text of the final plan can be found on the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan web page.
New Access to City-owned Land
New mountain biking opportunities are available in the Catskill region, both within the Forest Preserve and at Mount Hayden in Windham.
In a related development, DEC and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced an access agreement that will create new recreational opportunities in the Catskill region, including mountain biking, at the 804-acre Mount Hayden parcel in the Town of Windham. This agreement will offer easier access to the Mount Hayden area to hunt, trap, fish, bike and hike without the need to obtain city-issued access permits.
A land use permit has been granted to the state from DEP to enable DEC to manage Mount Hayden. This permit will benefit communities by complementing the finalization of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan. In an effort to further protect resources in the northern Catskills, some areas that had been previously opened for bicycle use were reclassified "wild forest" and "wilderness." The DEP permit to the state will enable the creation of new bicycle trails to replace some of those that were lost due to reclassification. Further, the agreement provides for this area to be classified by DEP as a "public access area," which will enable visitors to Mount Hayden to participate in recreational activities without first obtaining a city access permit.
Commissioners Praise the Agreement
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said: "DEC is excited by its growing partnership with the City of New York to increase recreational uses in the Catskills on city-owned lands in a manner that is fully protective of water quality, improves the quality of life for local residents and boosts the economy. The Mount Hayden agreement allows responsible mountain biking opportunities to be expanded where current and anticipated future demand is high, while complementing key provisions of the revised Master Plan."
DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd said: "DEP looks forward to working with DEC and other partners throughout the watershed to continue to expand watershed recreational opportunities, and Mount Hayden is a model for how the city can team with other partners for mutual benefit."
