46-Corners Management Unit
The 46-Corners Management Unit is a group of 8 state forests located on the south west portion of the Tug Hill Plateau. The Unit Management Plan covers these 18,032 acres in the Oneida County towns of Annsville, Camden and Florence; Oswego County town of Redfield; and the Lewis County town of Lewis. Eight state forest properties are included in the Unit: Big Brook State Forest, Cobb Brook State Forest, Fall Brook State Forest, Florence Hill State Forest, Furnace Creek State Forest, Mad River State Forest, Tri-County State Forest, and Swancott Hill State Forest. The state forests are north of State Routes 13 and 69, north of the village of Camden and between the East and West Branches of Fish Creek. Most of the county and town roads in this part of the county touch various pieces of the above state forests.
46-Corners Management Area is easily accessible with 56 miles of road (county, town and DEC forest access roads) dissecting the unit. The landscape diversity is enhanced by the 1,520 acres of NYS regulated wetlands, much of which includes current beaver ponds and old beaver meadows. The abundant wetland resource provides plenty of opportunities for trappers in pursuit of beaver, mink, otter, and fisher. There are 50 miles of trout water tributaries that provide for excellent trout spawning habitat. Anglers and bird watchers enjoy the 4 man-made ponds on the Unit. The Unit provides a majority of conifer cover across the landscape with 5,536 acres of conifer plantation. There are also 29 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the property and 2 miles of trails designated for ATV use for persons with disabilities and an appropriate permit.
The management objectives for the Unit were determined on the landscape level, not only to ensure biological diversity and the protection of ecosystems but also to optimize the many benefits to the public that these lands serve. A sustainable timber harvest schedule was developed as a main recommendation of the plan. Many of our management objectives are achieved though silvicultural activities. Standard guidelines are outlined in the plan for all harvesting actives around streams, ponds and wetlands. The silvicultural objectives of the plan will try to maintain a strong softwood component in the Unit while also providing key wildlife habitat.
New recreation facilities proposed in the draft plan include:
- Erecting a wildlife viewing platform at the end of Wentworth Road on Furnace Creek State Forest.
- Construction of universally accessible fishing piers for both Johnny Smith Pond and Cassbaker Pond.
- Designation of 18 campsites; 9 of which will be high use areas including on Johnny Smith Pond and Cassbaker Pond and 9 primitive campsites located off the roads in the different state forests.
- Construction of a snowmobile parking lot to accommodate 25 trailered vehicles off Hanifin Road.
- Build a cross-county ski trail on Mad River State Forest.
How to comment on the draft plan:
The public is encouraged to review the proposed plan. The Draft UMP is available for public review at the DEC headquarters in Albany, DEC regional office in Watertown, and at the DEC's Lowville and Herkimer regional sub-offices. Copies are available in print form or electronic format on compact disc for distribution from the Lowville Office and may be requested by calling (315) 376-3521.
Any individual or organization interested in providing comments or receiving additional information about the recommendations within the management plan can contact Andrea Mercurio at NYSDEC, 7327 State Route 812 Lowville, NY 13367 or call (315) 376-3521. Please e-mail comments on this draft UMP to: r6ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Comments will be accepted until August 30, 2008.
A public meeting will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2008 beginning at 6 pm in the Camden High School cafeteria located at the corner of Route 13 and Florence Hill Road in the Village of Camden. The meeting is open to the public, and persons are encourage to attend to express their opinion on the management objectives outlined in the draft plan.
46-Corners Draft Unit Management Plan (April 2008):
Each section of the draft plan is available here as a pdf document. It has been divided up into manageable parts to be accommodated by most computers.
46-Corners Unit Management Plan Pages 1-49 (Cover, Preface and Unit Management Plan text) (pdf, 470 kb)
Appendix I Pages 51-119 (Timber Harvest) (pdf, 324 kb)
Appendix II and III Pages 120-126 (Project Schedule and Wildlife Harvests) (pdf, 328 kb)
Appendix IV and V Pages 127 - 134 ( Breeding Bird Information) (pdf, 361 kb)
Appendix VI and VII Pages 135 - 140 (Classified Streams and Wetlands) (pdf, 243 kb)
Appendix VIII Pages 141 - 143 (Management Rules) (pdf, 203 kb)
Appendix IX Pages 144 - 146 (Unit Facilities table) (pdf, 117 kb)
Appendix X to XV Pages 147 - 176 (pdf, 117 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Cobb Brook State Forest (pdf, 335 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Fall Brook State Forest (pdf, 335 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Tri-County State Forest (pdf, 255 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Mad River State Forest (pdf, 318 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Big Brook State Forest (pdf, 361 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Furnace Creek State Forest (pdf, 253 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Florence Hill State Forest (pdf, 216 kb)
Map of Water Resources of Swancott Hill State Forest (pdf, 289 kb)
Maps of Forest Age, 8 maps - one per state forest (pdf 1.65 Mb)
Recreation Facilities Maps, 2 maps (pdf, 302 kb)
Ortho base maps of forest stands are too large to include on the website. They are contained in the printed version of the draft plan and on the available CD.
