Catskill Park State Land Master Plan

The original Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (CPSLMP) was developed in 1985 and classifies Forest Preserve lands within the Park based on their physical character and capacity to accommodate human use based on four land classifications: wilderness, wild forest, 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.

2008 Revisions

In 2003 a proposed draft revision of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan was released for public review and comment. In response to public comments received at public meetings the Department has revised the proposed draft and is releasing the revised draft for review. There are several changes in the revised 2008 draft CPSLMP resulting from public comments received on the draft released in August 2003. The most significant changes, which are outlined below, reflect comments concerning bicycling, and the reduced opportunities available from the current, original 1985 CPSLMP.

Creation of a new land classification, Primitive Bicycle Corridor, 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 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 Master Plan.
Increase the size of the Colgate Wild Forest from 600 acres to 1495 acres, utilizing the 2,400' contour as the boundary. This will provide increased opportunities for recreation appropriate in Wild Forests, including bicycle use.
Invasive Species Management is now included in the CPSLMP, the original draft 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.

Revised Draft Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (April 2008)

Draft Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (604 KB pfd file)

Appendix J - Map of Catskill Forest Preserve (13.9 Mb pdf file - This file is very large and may take a long time to download or even cause some computers to crash)

The Department is accepting comments on the revised draft Catskill Park State Land Master Plan until 4:00 p.m. May 19, 2008. Comments should be sent addressed to:

Peter J. Frank, Bureau Chief
Forest Preserve Management
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4254

or by email to lfcat@gw.dec.state.ny.us