For Release: Thursday, May 20, 2010
DEC Takes Action to Protect Lake Ontario Barrier Beaches
Overuse at Black Pond and Lakeview WMA's Prompts Rules Revisions
Acting to protect Lake Ontario's barrier beaches, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Judy Drabicki today announced revisions pertaining to public use of portions of the Lakeview and Black Pond Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Both areas are located on Lake Ontario in the Town of Ellisburg, Jefferson County. Lakeview WMA has the largest, least disturbed portion of the barrier system remaining on Lake Ontario. Approximately one mile of undisturbed barrier beach also exists on the Black Pond WMA. Both areas are located on Lake Ontario in the Town of Ellisburg, Jefferson County. Lakeview WMA has the largest, least disturbed portion of the barrier system remaining on Lake Ontario. Approximately one mile of undisturbed barrier beach also exists on the Black Pond WMA.
"These beautiful natural beach areas have many attractive features, including accessible boardwalks, a fishing platform, unique plant and wildlife observation opportunities, and or course, beaches," Director Drabicki said. "Unfortunately, misuse by people visiting the areas for the beach presents a threat to the areas' ecological integrities while at the same time causing potential user safety hazards."
The revised regulations provide for public access to beaches and the associated dune access trails, but only between sunrise and 10 p.m. Also spelled out in the regulations are the following:
- Public access to the dune portions of the barrier beaches is completely prohibited.
- Users on the beach and trails are prohibited from:
- constructing, maintaining or using a fire;
- using devices to create sound, excluding personal electronics that produce sound audible only to the primary user;
- Camping or maintaining a structure;
- Defacing, disturbing or damaging any structure, sign, or other DEC property;
- Removing, cutting or disturbing vegetation of any kind; and
- Removing any rocks, minerals, soil, or sand from the area.
- In addition, both domestic hoofed animals and off-the-road vehicle travel are prohibited from the area.
- Users are advised to respect the rights of others by not engaging in any activity that endangers public safety and by keeping household pets caged or leashed (6' or less) and under control at all times.
- The possession of alcoholic beverages with the intent to consume while visiting the area is prohibited.
The full text of these regulations can be seen on the DEC website.
Users of the Black Pond WMA are also reminded that parking is restricted to the designated parking areas only. In the past, congestion from illegally parked cars has created dangerous situations. By constricting the narrow roadway the possibility of emergency vehicles responding to any call at the beach becomes very limited. For this reason it is imperative that visitors park only in the designated parking areas. DEC environmental conservation officers, forest rangers as well as Jefferson County Sheriff and State Police have been tasked with responding to parking and other complaints in the WMA.
For more information, visit DEC's Lakeview WMA web page and Black Pond WMA web page.
