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For Release: Monday, November 20, 2006

DEC Issues Draft Unit Management Plan for Lake George Wild Forest

Public Meeting Scheduled for December 13, 2006 in Queensbury, Warren County

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the release of the draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Lake George Wild Forest. The unit consists of nearly 71,133 acres of State Forest Preserve lands in the southeastern Adirondacks in the Towns of Bolton, Chester, Hague, Horicon, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Queensbury and Warrensburg in Warren County and the Towns of Dresden, Fort Ann, and Putnam in Washington County.

"We are continuing to make progress on completing unit management plans in the Adirondack Forest Preserve," Commissioner Denise Sheehan said. "The release of the draft UMP for the Lake George Wild Forest is another significant milestone 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 extremely valuable throughout the planning process to date, providing us with important information and recommendations incorporated into the draft UMP."

A public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at the Town Hall in Town of Queensbury. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposals in the draft UMP. DEC will also accept written comments on the draft UMP until January 17, 2007.

The Town Hall is located on the northeast side of the intersection of Haviland and Bay Roads, approximately ½ mile north of the Adirondack Community College. Take Exit 19 of the Northway (I-87), on to Route 254. Travel east approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Bay Road and travel approximately 1 mile to the intersection with Haviland Roads, the Town Hall will be on the left. The Queensbury Town Hall is wheelchair accessible. Please provide any requests for specific accommodation by calling (518) 623-1265 at least two weeks in advance.

The Lake George Wild Forest is composed of the majority of the public lands on the east and west shores of Lake George and is generally bounded on the north by the Warren County line, on the west by the Hudson River, and on the south and east by the Adirondack Park boundary. It contains hundreds of miles of marked trails, allowing the public to easily access a variety of majestic natural attractions such as Black Mountain, Shelving Rock, and Prospect Mountain.

Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy year-round activities on Lake George, and popular fishing and camping locations at Lily Pond, Jabe Pond, Gay Pond and Palmer Pond. The Lake George Wild Forest is a popular area for motorized recreational uses and ice fishing, and serves as an important link with the adjoining snowmobile trail network. In addition, the Hudson River Recreation Area of the Lake George Wild Forest enables the public to experience a unique flatwater environment and other recreation opportunities along this historic waterway.

The draft UMP contains proposed management actions including:

  • Designating approximately 5.0 miles of existing hiking trails on the recently acquired Northwest Bay Tract and constructing a new foot trail to connect the property to the Clay Meadows trailhead on Rt. 9N;
  • Constructing two small (3-cars) parking lots on two parcels located in the town of Putnam and improving existing parking areas at the Northwest Bay Tract and Palmer Pond;
  • Maintaining designated equestrian trails annually to protect resources, promote safety of equestrians and their horses;
  • Closing a few steep, lakeside trails to horse use to protect resources and promote safety of equestrians and their horses;
  • Improving access for people with disabilities by upgrading selected campsites, constructing new campsites, and constructing, maintaining and rehabilitating trails and roads;
  • Adopting regulations regarding camping and day-use in the Hudson River and Shelving Rock Special Management Areas;
  • Closing a few redundant snowmobile trails and designating two short snowmobile trails on the east side of Lake George; and
  • Re-routing a snowmobile trail in the area of Gay Pond in the Hudson River Special Management Area.

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 time period.

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, related legislation, and resource and visitor-use information into a single document. Implementation of the UMP management actions will provide protection of the natural resources of the Forest Preserve and outdoor recreational opportunities for the people of the State.

Governor George E. Pataki's strategic plan to complete unit management plans for all State Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks is continuing. Governor Pataki's initiative is the first comprehensive attempt to complete all outstanding management plans in both the Adirondack and Catskill parks to ensure that the public's longstanding investment in the acquisition of public lands is maximized through careful planning and implementation of those plans. This, coupled with allocation of funds for the stewardship of these lands from the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will dramatically improve the State's ability to manage these lands.

The draft UMP will be 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 will be available for review at the town offices of Bolton, Chester, Hague, Horicon, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Queensbury and Warrensburg in Warren County and the towns of Dresden, Fort Ann, and Putnam in Washington County.

Copies are available in electronic format for distribution on compact disc from the DEC's Warrensburg Office and may be requested by calling (518) 623-1265. A limited number of printed copies are available as well. The complete document is available on DEC's Unit Management Plan website.

Public comments will be accepted until January 17, 2007, and may be sent to: Stewart Brown, Senior Forester, NYSDEC, P.O. Box 220, Warrensburg, NY 12885, or emailed to r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us .