For Release: Friday, August 19, 2005

DEC Issues Draft UMP for Chemung and Schuyler State Lands

Public Meeting To Be Held on September 7, 2005, in Montour Falls

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the release of the Great Divide draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for 2,956 acres of state forests and wildlife management areas in Chemung and Schuyler Counties.

"This draft Unit Management Plan will help DEC continue to effectively manage these State Forests for this and future generations," Commissioner Sheehan said. "We encourage ongoing public input at the upcoming meeting and during the comment period as DEC seeks to improve public access and ensure the protection of Southern Tier public lands."

The Great Divide Unit includes state lands in the towns of Hector, Catharine, Montour and Dix in Schuyler County and the towns of Catlin and Chemung in Chemung County. The draft UMP pertains to Maple Hill State Forest, Catlin State Forest, Texas Hollow State Forest, Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area, and Cayuta Lake Fishing Access Site.

A public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at the Rural Urban Center, 208 Broadway, in Montour Falls, Schuyler County, which is one block north of the corner of State Routes 14 and 224 in Montour Falls. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed management actions in the draft UMP and provide written and verbal comments.

The draft plan offers general information on the unit's history and geology, an inventory of the unit's resources, such as mineral resources, vegetative types and stages, fish, wildlife, habitat. The plan also includes a summary of identified issues, such as access, vegetative management and oil and gas leasing. It also describes the proposed goals and objectives and policy considerations in managing the unit.

The vision of the plan is to ensure the biological integrity, improvement and protection of the unit. This shall be done within the multiple use concept of management, which strives to serve the needs of the people of New York State by providing a broad-based, biologically diverse ecosystem.

Some major objectives further detailed in the plan are:

to create a balance of vegetative types and stages by the sale of timber resources, clearing and creation of grassy vegetation, wetland enhancement;
to enhance and monitor wildlife species diversity and protect rare and endangered species of plants and animals;
to construct additional administrative access roads and parking lots;
to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for any future increase in recreational facilities;
to work with current and future volunteer groups to enhance the area, including recreational opportunities such as the Finger Lakes Trail or habitat enhancement with the Ruffed Grouse Society, among others;
to identify environmentally sensitive or intensively used recreational areas inappropriate for surface disturbances from oil and gas drilling activities; and
to utilize best management practices for water quality on timber sales, gas well site construction, and other uses.

The draft UMP is available for public review at DEC offices in Avon and Bath. The plan is also available at the Watkins Glen Library and Horseheads Free Library. DEC will accept written comments on the draft UMP until October 7, 2005. Comments may be sent to: Gretchen Cicora, Forester, DEC Sub-Office, 7291 Coon Rd., Bath, NY 14810 or e-mailed to r8ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us

05-99