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DEC Seeking
Public Input for the Development of Unit Management Plans for
the Hurricane Mountain Primitive Area and the Jay Mountain Wilderness
Area
The New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has initiated the development
of the Unit Management Plans (UMPs) for the 14,000-acre Hurricane
Mountain Primitive Area and the 8,000-acre Jay Mountain Wilderness
Area. These small Forest Preserve units are located in Essex
County. They lie adjacent to one another and have many similarities
so DEC is developing the the UMPs at the same time.
The Hurricane Mountain Primitive Area encompasses lands located
in the Towns of Elizabethtown, Jay, Keene, and Lewis. This area
offers recreational opportunities, including hiking, skiing,
rock climbing, hunting, and fishing.
The Jay Mountain Wilderness Area
encompasses lands located in the Towns of Jay and Lewis. This
Wilderness Area is largely undeveloped, containing few foot trails
or other facilities. It offers recreational opportunities such
as hunting and bushwhacking.
A UMP must be completed for these
areas before significant new recreational facilities, such as
trails, lean-tos, parking areas or boat launches can be constructed.
You have an opportunity to comment on the development of the
Unit Management Plans for these areas by mailing or e-mailing
your comments to DEC.
In your own words and using
any personal experiences or expertise you may have in these areas,
tell DEC:
- The new UMP must be consistent
with Article XIV, the Forever Wild Clause, of the New York State
Constitution, with the State Land Master Plan and with other
pertinent laws and the DEC's Rules and Regulations.
- The DEC must conduct thorough
natural resource studies to identify rare and endangered species
habitats, critical wildlife areas and other sensitive places
in these areas.
- The DEC should include appropriate
recreational opportunities in these areas where those activities
will not harm the natural resources.
You can submit written comments at anytime by contacting:
Michael Curley
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
PO Box 220
Warrensburg, NY 12885
Telephone (518) 623-1275
E-mail: mccurley@gw.dec.state.ny.us
A special e-mail address also has been established to receive
public comments on any UMPs being developed by DEC in Region 5.
r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us
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