For Release: Monday, November 19, 2007
DEC Meeting Set for Charleston State Forests Management Plan
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold a public meeting to gather input on a draft Charleston State Forests Unit Management Plan (UMP) for DEC-owned lands in Montgomery and Schenectady counties.
The Charleston State forests include land in the following Montgomery county towns: 1,061 acres in the town of Root; 100 acres in the town of Glen; and 5,547 acres in the town of Charleston. Montgomery County properties in the unit include Charleston State Forest, Rural Grove State Forest, Yatesville Falls State Forest and Lost Valley State Forest. The unit also includes the 697-acre Featherstonhaugh State Forest in the Schenectady County town of Duanesburg.
The meeting will be held at the Montgomery County Annex Building, 20 Park Street, Fonda, on Monday, Dec.10 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. Please provide at least ten days' notice for specific accommodation requests.
A public meeting and comment period were held in 2003 to gather public input which was used in preparation of the draft UMP.
The draft plan addresses such issues as recreation, timber management, the watershed, wildlife, accessibility, biodiversity, and public information. The plan identifies goals and objectives for multiple-use management, sustainable forestry, conservation of biological diversity, and engagement of the public in the management of these State forests. Interaction with the community will be encouraged through communication with outdoor activity clubs and implementation of the Adopt-A-Natural Resource program. Public use and recreational opportunities will be offered through several proposals in the plan.
The Charleston State Forests are currently used for wide variety of activities including hunting, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. All of the Charleston State Forests are classified as state Reforestation Areas and are managed for multiple uses, including timber production.
Those unable to attend the meeting may write, phone or e-mail the Region 4 Forestry office in Stamford with their comments on the plan. The plan is posted on DEC's website at: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/35832.html. One may also view the plan at the Stamford office. Comments on the plan will be accepted until January 10, 2008. The Forestry office is located at 65561 State Highway 10, Stamford, NY 12167; phone: (607) 652-3613; e-mail: vlcross@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
