DEC and OPRHP Begin Unit
Management Planning Process for the
Lake Champlain Islands
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office
of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) have begun
the planning process for the development of a Unit Management
Plan (UMP) for seven publicly owned islands in Lake Champlain.
The islands are located in the towns of Peru and Plattsburgh
in Clinton County and the towns of Chesterfield, Westport and
Crown Point in Essex County. A Unit Management Plan (UMP) for
these lands must be completed so that the DEC and OPRHP can protect
the natural resources of the area and allow appropriate recreational
opportunities.
DEC and OPRHP will be working
togther to develop the UMP for the Lake Champlain Islands. The
project includes approximately 1,225 acres of Forest Preserve
lands on six of the islands - Valcour, Schuyler, Cole, Garden,
Sheepshead and No Name islands. The project also includes Crab
Island State Park which is outside the Adirondack Park and the
Forest Preserve that managed by OPRHP.
The Lake Champlain Islands area contains about 12 miles of hiking
trails, 30 designated campsites and provides a variety of day
use opportunities. The area surrounding the 1,100 acre Valcour
Island and 40-acre Crab Island is historically significant due
to the Revolutionary War Battle of Valcour Island and the War
of 1812 Battle of Plattsburgh Bay.
You Have an
Opportunity to Help Shape the Future of the Lake Champlain Islands
Please Send Your Comments to DEC & OPRHP
Please send your comments
to DEC and OPRHP. In your own words and using any personal experiences
or expertise you may have in these areas, tell the staff:
- 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.
If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me. The address, telephone number
and e-mail address are located at the bottom of this page.
Please send your written
comments to:
Daniel Levy
NYS DEC
P.O. Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977
(518) 897-1276
r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us
or
Kevin Kieff
Director OPRHP Thousand Islands Region
PO Box 247
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
(315) 482-2593.
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