DEC Announces Comment Opportunity for 2015 Westward Waters Unit Management Plan - A New DEC Press Release
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 09/25/2015 09:49 AM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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DEC Announces Comment Opportunity for 2015 Westward Waters Unit Management Plan |
Public Meeting Scheduled for October 14The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold a public meeting on the draft Westward Waters Unit Management Plan (UMP) Wednesday, October 14, the agency announced today. Major highlights of the UMP include new and expanded public access roads, increased parking, improved campsites at several locations, a new vista and other upgrades to infrastructure which will enhance recreational opportunities for all throughout these pristine state lands. Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 The meeting will be held at the Lowville Fire Hall, 5420 Parkway Drive, Lowville, NY 13367 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The first half hour will be an open house format to allow people to informally discuss the draft plan with DEC staff. At 7 p.m., there will be a brief presentation of the draft plan highlights. Following the presentation, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the plan. The Westward Waters Unit Management Area is comprised of 13 state forests, a Demonstration Area and a smattering of Forest Preserve detached lots. The unit is home to the Otter Creek Horse Trail Complex; Lake Bonaparte and Eatonville campsites, and boasts several fishing access sites, including those at Crystal Creek, Burdick's Crossing, Castorland, Beeches Bridge, Lowville, Glenfield, Denley Dam and Deer River. The unit contains over 39,430 total acres of state-owned parcels located in the Lewis County towns of Croghan, Diana, Greig, Lyonsdale, New Bremen and Watson. The following list of state lands are all included in this UMP:
DEC encourages public participation in the process of developing a UMP. Information obtained and reviewed through the planning process helps to build a solid foundation to support specific goals, objectives and management actions. The goals of the unit are to provide: a healthy, sustainable and biologically diverse forest; opportunities for forest-based recreation; economic benefits to local communities and residents, and sound stewardship. The draft Westward Waters Unit Management Plan creates a detailed inventory and management strategy for the natural resources present of the Unit and proposes the following actions:
DEC will accept written public comments until close of business October 30, 2015. Written comments may be mailed to either Edwin Sykes, 7327 State Hwy 812, Lowville, New York 13367 or by e-mail at: r6.ump@dec.ny.gov. The draft Westward Waters Unit Management Plan is available on DEC's website. Copies of the draft plan on compact disk (CD) can be requested by e-mail at: r6.ump@dec.ny.gov and available at the following locations: DEC Region 6 office, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601 (315-785-2263), or DEC Lowville sub-office: Attn: Edwin Sykes, 7327 State Hwy 812, Lowville, NY 13367 (315-376-3521). |