For Release: Friday, May 11, 2007
DEC to Initiate Draft Shawangunk Ridge Unit Management Plan
Public Meeting to be Held on May 30th, 2007
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that DEC will hold a public meeting to initiate the planning process for the development of the Shawangunk Ridge draft Unit Management Plan (UMP). An open house session will be held at the Ellenville Public Library, 40 Center Street, Ellenville on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
At the meeting, DEC staff will provide a brief overview of the unit management planning process and facilitate a discussion about the issues and ideas that should be addressed in the draft UMP including forest management, wildlife management, fisheries, wetlands, water resources, biodiversity, historic preservation, public access, and recreation. The goal of the draft UMP is to address specific long term management objectives for DEC lands within the Shawangunk Ridge Unit.
The Shawangunk Ridge Unit is located in the Towns of Gardiner, Wawarsing, and Shawangunk in Ulster County, the Town of Mamakating in Sullivan County, and the Town of Greenville in Orange County. The unit is approximately 4,760 acres in size, consisting of Shawangunk Multiple Use Area, Witch's Hole State Forest, Shawangunk Ridge State Forest, Roosa Gap State Forest, Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, Huckleberry Ridge State Forest, and 3 detached Forest Preserve parcels. DEC is currently in the process of acquiring additional properties located within the UMP area.
The purpose of the DEC open house meeting is to provide an opportunity for citizen participation at the earliest stage of the planning process, and to ensure that the draft UMP addresses issues relevant to the public and reflects community concerns. Additional opportunity for public review and comment will be available when the draft UMP is issued. The finalized UMP will guide the future use and management of the Shawangunk Ridge Unit.
DEC is currently also accepting written input during the development of the draft UMP. For further information regarding the open house meeting or to submit written input, please contact: Ethan M. Pierce, Natural Resources Planner, NYS DEC Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561 or call (845) 256-3074.
