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Catskill Park State Land Master Plan

Cover of Catskill Park Master Plan

The Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (CPSLMP) classifies Forest Preserve lands within the Catskill Park based on their physical character and capacity to accommodate human use based on five land classifications: wilderness, wild forest, primitive bicycle corridors, intensive use, and administrative. The Plan also designates management units and directs the Department to develop individual unit management plans that guide management activities and public use of those units.

In 2003, the Department released a proposed draft revision to the original 1985 Master Plan for public review and comment. In response to public comments received from the public at that time, the Department revised the proposed draft and released a revised draft for public review in April 2008. Again, in response to public comment, the Department incorporated changes to the plan and the Commissioner of DEC adopted the revised plan in August 2008.

Highlights of the 2008 Revision:

  • Creation of the new Primitive Bicycle Corridor land classification. This classification encompasses about 156 acres. The Department proposes the reclassification of four trail corridors (100 feet wide) through existing or proposed new wilderness areas (mostly in Greene County) that would allow the public to use a bicycle, but would otherwise be managed according to wilderness guidelines. These corridors are along old roads and have had historic bicycle use:
    - Indian Head Wilderness: Mink Hollow Road (its entire length through the Indian Head Wilderness, 3.2 miles)
    - Indian Head Wilderness: Overlook Turnpike from the Overlook Mtn Wild Forest boundary to Platte Clove and Prediger Road (4.5 miles)
    - Hunter - Westkill Wilderness: Diamond Notch Road (its entire length through the Hunter - Westkill Wilderness, 3.2 miles).
    - Blackhead Range Wilderness: Colgate Lake -Dutcher Notch Trail, an old road (Colgate Lake Wild Forest to Stork's Nest, 2.4 miles).
  • In Wild Forests, allow for bicycle use on most roads and trails. This includes roads open to the public, state truck trails, old wood roads, foot trails, snowmobile trails, and horse trails, unless such use is deemed unsuitable through the UMP process. The original draft proposed a positive signage requirement - roads and trails only open if so posted. This change - open unless signed closed - makes it consistent with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.
  • Increase the size of the Colgate Wild Forest from 600 acres to 1,495 acres, utilizing the 2,400' contour as the boundary. This will provide increased opportunities for recreation appropriate in Wild Forests, including bicycle use.
  • Include Invasive Species Management in the CPSLMP, as the original plan did not contain any reference to this emerging threat. The Department and its new Office of Invasive Species, will work with the Catskill Region Invasive Species Partnership to help identify, and educate the public on invasive species. In addition, the Department may take necessary actions to control exotic invasive species, where there is potential for significant degradation to the native ecosystem. These actions can include mechanical control, biological control, and the use of pesticides, and will require prior notice in the ENB and approval by the Director of the Division of Lands and Forests.

Download the Plan

2008 Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (1.8 Mb pdf file) - This is a large document and may be slow to download. As an alternative you may download specific sections using the links below.

Plan Parts:
Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (without map) (654 kb pdf file)
Appendix J - Catskill Forest Preserve Map (1 Mb pdf file - this file is large and may take some time to download)

To request a printed copy of the Master Plan, or for further information please email us at: lfcat@gw.dec.state.ny.us