Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan

The Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan covers 5,446 acres of land in the town of Coventry in Chenango County. The small villages of Greene, Oxford, Bainbridge and Afton are located on the perimeter of the Unit. Properties included in the Unit are: Coventry State Map of New York showing Chenango State Forest Unit Forest, Bobell Hill State Forest, Beaver Flow State Forest, Bumps Creek State Forest, and Oak Ridge State Forest.

The Unit Management Plan (UMP) address such issues as recreation, timber management, the watershed, wildlife, mineral resources, accessibility, biodiversity, and public information. The Plan identifies goals and objectives for multiple-use management, sustainable forestry, conservation of biological diversity, and engagement of the public in the management of these State forests. Multiple-use management will be achieved through consideration of all of the various natural resources present on these properties and accommodating those activities which are deemed to be compatible. Biological diversity will be conserved through the protection of wetlands, riparian areas, natural areas, and certain wildlife habitats, such as those of the red-shouldered haw. Interaction with the community will be encouraged through communication with outdoor activity clubs and implementation of the Adopt-A-Natural Resource program.

Public use and recreation opportunities will be offered through several proposals in this Plan. An informational kiosk, including a map and text description of forest features, will be installed at one location on each of the State forests within the Unit. A parking area will also be constructed at each of these locations. As part of the CP3 program, a 1.2 mile designated trail on the Coventry State Forest will be maintained for ATV use by persons with disabilities. This trail offers access to a small pond that is a popular fishing destination. Presently, there are 1.5 miles of snowmobile trail on the forests of the Unit. These trail will continue to be maintained and an additional 2.5 miles of trail will be considered for establishment as an addition to the NYS Snowmobile Corridor Trail System. A recreational trail, compatible with hiking, skiing, bird watching, etc., is being offered for establishment in this Plan through the Adopt-A-Natural Resource program. The Oak Ridge State Forest contains a scenic stream gorge within a Natural Area where a loop trail could be established by a community group to provide enhanced public enjoyment of this forest which contains exceptionally large white pine and red oak trees. The current parking area on Owlville Road will be relocated several hundred feet closer to the pond for which it primarily serves.

This Plan is implementing a unique approach to the management of biodiversity through a wildlife monitoring effort. The Management Indicator Species (MIS) concept will be utilized to verify the quality of wildlife habitats within the Unit. This concept identifies groups of wildlife species (mostly avian) that utilize specific habitat ; it then periodically monitors them to verify the existence of desired characteristics and qualities of the Unit's ecosystem. It is hoped that most of the monitoring will be accomplished through the activities of interested local bird clubs. The Department will make a dedicated effort to interact with the local community through a variety of public programs. These may include guided walks, workshops, tree planting programs, as well as the MIS monitoring program. Community-based forestry is a participatory approach to forest management that seeks to strengthen the relationship between local people and local forest resources. The Plan proposes to advance community based forestry through public programs, increased participation in DEC's Adopt-A-Natural Resource and Cooperative Forest Management programs, and by maintaining a dialogue with local government about State Forest management.

Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan (PDF, 237 KB)

Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan Cover (PDF, 952 KB)

Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan Tables (PDF, 167 KB)

Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan Appendicies (PDF, 115 KB)

Chanango Trail Unit Management Plan Location Map (PDF, 153 KB)

Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan Watershed (PDF, 984 KB)

Forest Cover Type, Broome-Chenango 1 (PDF, 167 KB)

Facilites and Water Resources, Broome-Chenango 1 (PDF, 269 KB)

Tract Assessment for Oil and Gas Surface Disturbance, Broome-Chenango 1 (PDF, 813 KB)

Management Direction, Broome-Chenango 1 (PDF, 254 KB)

Forest Cover Type, Chenango 10 (PDF, 250 KB)

Facilities and Water Resources, Chenango 10 (PDF, 313 KB)