For Release: Wednesday, May 26, 2004
DEC Releases Draft UMP for Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest
Public Meeting Scheduled for June 30, 2004, in Newcomb
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced the completion of the draft unit management plan (UMP) for the 92,000-acre Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest. Located in the Central Adirondacks, the Wild Forest consists of State Forest Preserve lands located mainly in southwestern Essex County. Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest is located within the towns of Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, and Schroon Lake in Essex County, Chester and Johnsburg in Warren County, and with a small section in Indian Lake in Hamilton County.
"We continually are making progress on completing unit management plans in the Adirondack Forest Preserve," Commissioner Crotty said. "The release of the draft unit management plan for the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest is another step in our efforts to improve public access and ensure the protection of the Adirondacks for future generations. As always, the public's participation has been, and will continue to be, invaluable throughout the planning process."
A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at 6 p.m. in the Newcomb Fire Hall on Route 28N in Newcomb, Essex County, to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the Draft UMP. The DEC will also accept written comments on the draft UMP until July 31, 2004.
The Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest unit surrounds Route 28N between Newcomb and Minerva. It is bordered on the north by the High Peaks Wilderness Area and Dix Mountain Wilderness; to the east are the Hoffman Notch Wilderness and Hammond Pond Wild Forest; to the south is Lake George Wild Forest, to the south and west are the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, Siamese Ponds Wilderness and Hudson Gorge Primitive Area.
The Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest offers several recreational opportunities, including hiking, skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. The Wild Forest contains numerous lakes and ponds as well as its namesake Vanderwhacker Mountain and the Boreas River - a designated scenic river. The Santanoni Historic Area is adjacent to the Wild Forest.
The draft UMP contains proposed management activities including:
- facilitating snowmobile access between the communities of Minerva and Newcomb;
- constructing several new foot trails including projects at Moxham Mountain, Wolf Pond, Vanderwhacker Pond, Raymond Brook, and around the Santanoni Historic Area;
- facilitating snowmobile access between the communities of Schroon Lake and Pottersville;
- improving recreational opportunities for people with mobility impairments, including upgrades to several campsites and canoe launches within the unit;
- constructing lean-tos at Wolf Pond and Cheney Pond; and
- establishing and maintaining several quality fisheries for brook trout.
A UMP must be completed before significant new recreational facilities, such as trails, lean-tos, or parking areas can be constructed. The plan includes an analysis of the natural features of the area and the ability of the land to accommodate public use. The planning process is designed to cover all environmental considerations for the unit and forms the basis for all proposed management activities for a five-year period. The initial public meeting to assist in the development of a draft plan for Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest was held on August 10, 2000, at the Newcomb Fire Hall.
UMPs are required by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan for each unit of State land in the Adirondack Park. The plans integrate the goals and objectives of the Master Plan, and resource and visitor-use information into a single document. Other unit management plans that have been adopted in the Adirondack Park include Black River Wild Forest, Dix Mountain Wilderness, Five Ponds Wilderness, Giant Mountain Wilderness, High Peaks Wilderness, Pepperbox Wilderness, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Santanoni Historic Area and Pigeon Lake Wilderness.
Governor George Pataki's strategic plan to complete unit management plans for all State Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks is continuing. In conjunction with the allocation of unprecedented resources for the stewardship of these lands through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, these plans will dramatically improve the State's ability to manage Preserve lands recreation.
The Draft UMPs are available for public review at DEC headquarters in Albany, DEC regional offices in Watertown and Ray Brook, and at the DEC's Northville, Warrensburg, Herkimer, Lowville, and Potsdam regional suboffices. The plan also is available for review at the town offices towns of Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, and Schroon Lake in Essex County; Chester and Johnsburg in Warren County, and Indian Lake in Hamilton County. Copies are available in electronic format for distribution on Compact Disc at the DEC Warrensburg Office and may be requested by calling (518)623-1265. A summary of the document is also available on DEC's website. A limited number of printed copies are available as well.
Public comments will be accepted until July 31, 2004, and will be sent to Michael Curley, Supervising Forester, NYSDEC, PO Box 220, Warrensburg, NY 12885, or emailed to r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us
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