For Release: Friday, January 28, 2022
DEC Seeking Public Input to Assist Development of Recreation Management Plan for Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on the development of a draft Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement in the town of Webb, Herkimer County.
The Big Moose Tract is approximately 23,850 acres and contains commercially managed forestland, several small ponds, portions of Birch, Fourth, Sunday, and Twitchell creeks, the Independence River, and the West Branch of the Beaver River. Under the terms of an interim RMP, a trail to the Stillwater Mountain fire tower and 12.4 miles of public snowmobile trails across the property are open to the public.
The property shares approximately 18.4 miles of boundary with forest preserve lands (Ha-De-Ron-Dah and Pigeon Lake wildernesses and Fulton Chain and Independence River wild forests) and 2.5 miles with the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement. In addition, nearly four miles of the Remsen Lake Placid Travel Corridor passes through the property.
The public is encouraged to provide suggestions relating to the development of the Big Moose Tract draft RMP by mail to Matthew Nowak, Environmental Program Specialist, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 7327 State Route 812, Lowville, NY 13367, or email to r6.ump@dec.ny.gov. Suggestions should be submitted by Feb. 28, 2022.
Visit the Independence Wild River Forest webpage for additional information about the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement. The webpage includes the Independence River Wild Forest East map, which shows the location of the Big Moose Tract, a map of the Stillwater Mountain Fire Tower Trail, and the Conservation Easement deed.
