ENB Region 6 Notices 6/22/2022
Public Comment Period
Proposed Modification to the East Branch Fish Creek North Conservation Easement
On February 28, 2006, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) purchased the 14,269 acre East Branch Fish Creek North conservation easement, situated in the Towns of Montague, Martinsburg, Osceola, and West Turin in Lewis County, New York, from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The conservation easement established Forest Management Buffer Areas (FMBAs) and one of the requirements within these areas was any hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation camps located in these areas needed to be removed no later than December 31, 2016. Prior to this removal date, TNC made a request to NYS DEC that the conservation easement be modified to allow Camp #10 (Brandy Brook camp), associated outbuildings, and five acre camp envelope located within the Page Swamp FMBA to remain at its current location in perpetuity. In addition to the Camp #10 request, the proposed modification will allow for one additional "Recreational Lease structure" and associated five acre envelope and clarifies the Grantor's use of the "Property Administration Structure" on the protected property.
Pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 592 of Environmental Conservation Law, any modification to a conservation easement must result in a net conservation benefit to the State of New York. To satisfy this requirement, TNC has agreed to donate a conservation easement to NYS DEC. This new easement will encumber TNC's 430 ± acre "Lyndaker" parcel, which is adjacent to the East Branch Fish Creek North easement tract. The terms of the new conservation easement will be the same as the existing East Branch Fish Creek North conservation easement and will provide NYS DEC the right to construct a public snowmobile trail connection from the G&W Road to Toole Road and points north in the future.
Comments on the proposed conservation easement modification will be accepted until July 29, 2022, and may be submitted to: landsforests@dec.ny.gov or mailed to Fred Munk, NYS DEC - Region 6 Office, Division of Lands and Forests, Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street., Watertown, NY 13601. A summary of the proposed modification and revised easement language is posted on the NYS DEC's website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/125552.html.
Contact: Fred Munk, NYS DEC - Region 6 Office, Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, Phone: (315) 785-2263, E-mail: landsforests@dec.ny.gov
