Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm
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Conservation Easements
An important land conservation tool used widely across the United States, conservation easements protect a variety of important landscape values such as wildlife habitat and sensitive ecosystems, wetlands and riparian areas, scenic areas such as meadows and ridgelines, agricultural land, working forests, and historic places. The primary function of the easement is to limit or eliminate future development and undesirable land uses on a property, while allowing for continued private ownership and traditional management.
Elm Lake, a 64-acre lake located within the Speculator
Tree Farm Tract
Conservation easements are permanent legal agreements entered into by a landowner and the State, or local government, or a non-profit land trust. Easement documents identify the open space values of the property being protected, and clearly describe the restrictions that are being placed on the property. When the State accepts and holds a conservation easement, it takes on the responsibility to monitor the property and enforce the terms of the easement in perpetuity.
Many of the State held conservation easements are with timber management companies who actively manage their timberlands with a goal of providing forest products through practicing forestry sustainably. These working forest conservation easements often receive third party certification from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® or the Forest Stewardship Council®. Timber companies awarded with either one of the green certifications are required to meet special requirements while conducting timber harvesting operations.
The Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm areas are excellent examples of how working forest conservation easements expand opportunities for public recreation while ensuring private industrial forestry is practiced sustainably.
History
In 2005, the people of the State of New York acquired a conservation easement on lands owned by International Paper Company. The lands are now owned by Lyme Adirondack Timberlands, LLC. The easement limits subdivision and development on the property, requires that forestry be practiced sustainably and provides public recreation rights which are specific to each parcel.
The easement includes a 40,000-acre area located just north of the Village of Speculator in the towns of Arietta, Lake Pleasant and Wells in Hamilton County. The part of this area west of Route 30 is called the Perkins Clearing area. The part on the east side of Route 30 is known as the Speculator Tree Farm.
Lease Camps
Scattered throughout the Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm areas are approximately 109 private cabins leased from the landowner (see map). The lessees have exclusive use of their cabins and a one-acre area around each one. In addition, two large areas on the north and south sides of the Speculator Tree Farm are leased by outdoor clubs and are not open to the public. The map shows the locations of these "posting leases."
Recreational Opportunities
Bicycles are allowed on all roads and trails that
are open to the public
The Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm areas are open for public camping, canoeing, hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hunting, trapping and fishing. See the map for locations of roads, trails and other public facilities.
ATVs
The Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm areas are closed to public all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) use; lessees may continue to use ATVs until 2009.
Conservation Easement Regulations
Anyone enjoying the use of this Conservation Easement must observe the following rules which protect them and the forest environment:
1. Motor Vehicles may be driven only on roads designated for public motor vehicle use. Please do not park in front of gates or otherwise block roads and trails. Interior roads are closed in winter. Roads may be closed in spring and at other times when necessary for public safety.
2. Camping is permitted only at designated campsites.
3. Campfires are permitted at designated campsites only. Use only dead and down wood for campfires.
4. Bicycles are permitted on all roads and trails.
5. Boats and canoes must contain an approved flotation device for each person on board.
6. Snowmobiles are permitted only on roads and trails designated for snowmobile use. Snowmobile routes may change to avoid timber harvesting operations. Obey trail signs.
7. Horses are permitted on all roads and trails, except on designated foot trails or on snowmobile or cross-country ski trails when they are covered with snow. There are no horse shelters or developed water sources. Horse owners must have current negative Coggins certificates and comply with all other applicable laws.
8. Licenses are required for hunting, fishing and trapping.
9. Hunters: Only portable tree stands are permitted. They must be removed daily. Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of any lease cabin.
10. IF YOU CARRY IT IN, CARRY IT OUT. Do not bury or burn trash.
Please... .
• Stay at least 500 feet from timber-harvesting operations and logging vehicles. Roads and trails may be closed where timber harvesting operations are underway
• Use privies if available, or bury waste at least 150 feet from water, campsites, roads and trails.
• Carry a topographic map and a compass and know how to use them.
Directions
The Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm conservation easement areas are easily accessible from major state and town highways.
Perkins Clearing
The Perkins Clearing area is accessed by taking the Perkins Clearing Road, located along State Highway Route 30, found north of the Village of Speculator. The Perkins Clearing Road provides interior access to the Old Military and Jessup River Roads.
Speculator Tree Farm
The Speculator Tree Farm area is accessible several ways. The Elm Lake Road extends northeast from the intersection of State Highways 8 & 30 in the Village of Speculator and provides access to the northernmost portions of the Speculator Tree Farm area. South of the Village of Speculator along State Highway 30, the Old State Highway 8 & 30 provides access to the southernmost portions of the Speculator Tree Farm area.
Important Numbers
For complete regulations and more information, contact:
Division of Lands and Forests
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
P.O. Box 1316
Northville, NY 12134
(518) 863-4545 (Monday thru Friday 8:45am - 4:45pm)
Emergency Assistance and Law Enforcement
Emergency Search and Rescue or Fire Hotline: (518) 891-0235
Forest Rangers: (518) 897-1300
Environmental Conservation Officers: (518) 897-1326, 1-877-457-5680
Emergencies: 911
More about Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm:
- Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm Map - Map showing conservation easement areas of the Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm
