For Release: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
DEC Proposes Draft Unit Management Plan for Five Streams
Public Meeting to Discuss the Plan To Be Held October 3
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the McDonough Town Hall to receive comments on the draft Five Streams Unit Management Plan (UMP). The Town Hall is located at the intersection of State Highway 220 and Chenango County Highway 5 in the hamlet of McDonough. Copies of the draft plan are on reserve at the Oxford, Norwich, and Cincinnatus Public Libraries, and DEC offices in Sherburne and Cortland. The draft plan is also available online at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/34460.html
The Five Streams unit consists of 9,634 acres of state land in the towns of German, McDonough, Pharsalia, Pitcher and Smithville and includes Red Brook, Balsam Swamp and Five Streams State Forests. The final plan will guide management activities on the forests within the unit for the next 20 years by defining goals and objectives for biodiversity conservation, timber and natural gas production, public recreation and cooperative forest management.
Management plan actions will foster the development of diverse ecological conditions, maintain landscape connectivity and protect 3,048 acres of wetlands, riparian zones, natural areas and steep slopes where timber harvesting, road construction and recreational developments are restricted.
Public use and recreation opportunities will be enhanced by improving access at existing recreational facilities and establishing new access at two locations. The public campground, boat launch and day-use area at Balsam Pond will be upgraded to improve safety, protect water quality and provide accessibility for people with disabilities. Access for people with disabilities will be established into the Seymour farm site to raise awareness about local cultural history and to provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. A motorized access trail for individuals with limited mobility will be established on Balsam Swamp State Forest to replace a poorly drained trail on Red Brook State Forest.
Community-based forestry is a participatory approach to forest management that seeks to strengthen the relationship between local people and local forest resources. The Plan proposes to advance community based forestry through public programs, increased participation in DEC's Adopt-A-Natural Resource and Cooperative Forest Management programs, and by maintaining a dialogue with local government about State Forest management.
Please join us for the public meeting on October 3. Your participation will assist in the development of the final Five Streams UMP. Public comments received at the meeting and written comments received prior to December 1, 2007 will be considered in the final plan. For additional information contact Greg Owens at (607) 674-4036 or email: gxowens@gw.dec.state.ny.us .
