For Release: Monday, October 2, 2006
DEC Issues Draft Unit Management Plan for Stewart State Forest
Public Meeting Scheduled for October 26, 2006 in New Windsor, Orange County
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that the DEC has released a draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the 6,700-acre Stewart State Forest in the Orange County towns of New Windsor, Montgomery and Hamptonburg, and the Village of Maybrook.
"The Stewart State Forest UMP represents the cooperative efforts of many people and provides a blueprint for conserving biodiversity in the area while at the same time enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation," Commissioner Sheehan said. "As always, the public's participation is extremely valuable throughout the planning process, providing us with important information and recommendations to incorporate into the UMP. I encourage the public to attend the public meetings and participate in the process."
Two public meetings will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at the Town of New Windsor Community Center at 555 Union Avenue. The New Windsor Community Center is universally accessible. These meetings will provide information to the public and allow the public to comment on the draft UMP. The afternoon meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. with an informal session in which the public may speak with DEC staff regarding the management proposals in the draft UMP, and a formal presentation will begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by a formal comment opportunity. The evening meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an informal session, followed by a formal presentation about the draft UMP at 7:00 p.m. and a formal comment opportunity.
About 5,100 acres of Stewart State Forest were first transferred to DEC in 1999 by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), followed by an additional 1,600 acres east of Maple Avenue in June 2006. Stewart State Forest offers many recreational opportunities, including hiking, hunting, mountain biking, fishing, dog training and trials, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and bird watching. Over 40 miles of roads and trails make this area a premier outdoor destination. Farm fields, grasslands, forests of all ages and sizes, as well as diverse wetlands and ponds support diverse wildlife, including increasingly rare grass, shrub and wetland species.
The draft UMP includes an analysis of the natural features of the area and the ability of the land to accommodate public use. The draft UMP will direct management activities at the State Forest for 10 years following its final adoption by the Department.
The UMP planning process is designed to cover all environmental considerations for the unit and forms the basis for all proposed management activities.
The draft UMP proposes to:
- Maintain the prohibition on ATV use in the State Forest;
- Prohibit snowmobile use based on comments from a citizen advisory committee, as well as soil and climate conditions;
- Expand access to the public during the fall hunting season;
- Allow camping by permit only and limit campfires;
- Create a contiguous trail system;
- Continue to support farming, and manage fields and woodlands for wildlife through mowing and forest management; and
- Address special recreational uses and situations on the property.
The UMP is available for public review at the DEC headquarters in Albany and DEC regional office in New Paltz. Paper copies of the draft UMP, and electronic copies on CD, are available by writing to the address below or calling (845) 256-3082. A copy of the document will be available on DEC's Draft Unit Management Plan website.
Comments will be accepted until Friday, November 10, 2006 and may be sent to: Robert Messenger at NYSDEC, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561-1620.
