For Release: Friday, January 18, 2008

New Walkover at Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area Allows Visitors Access to Highly Sensitive Dunes

The newly constructed dune crossover is now open to the public at Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario in Oswego County, Kenneth Lynch, Region 7 Director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, announced today. The dune crossover structure enables visitors to actually traverse across the fragile dunes - without harming them - and enjoy access to both Deer Creek and Lake Ontario.

The dune crossover project was initiated by DEC to increase public access. The site originally consisted of a boardwalk at the beginning of the foot trail down the dune, but no further access down the dune. The project was funded by the Pittman-Robertson Act, a federal program started in the 1930s that places an excise tax on guns and ammunition to fund restoration and management efforts for wildlife, including purchase of habitat.

Deer Creek Marsh WMA is 1,195 acres consisting of uplands, wetlands, handicapped access, boat access, viewing tower, scenic vistas, parking lot, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and trapping. It is part of the Eastern Lake Ontario Barrier Beach and Wetland Complex, which is made up of multiple barrier beaches, embayments, dunes and wetlands. The WMA represents the remains of one of the largest inland dune systems in the eastern Great Lakes and contains some of the highest quality freshwater marshes in New York State. It is one of more than 85 WMAs owned by New York State and operated by the DEC. These lands have been acquired primarily for habitat protection so as to enhance wildlife populations.

Deer Creek Marsh WMA can be accessed by taking Route 81 to the Pulaski exit and proceeding west on Route 13. Turn north at the intersection of Route 13 and NYS Route 3 at Port Ontario about 3 miles west of Pulaski. Proceed north on Route 3 and the WMA will be on your left, accessible by Kelly Drive and Rainbow Shores Road. More information can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7768.html on DEC's website.