Catskill Park State Land Master Plan · Catskill Park State Land Master Plan - August 2008 1 I....

State of New York

Catskill Park State Land

Master Plan

James Gurney

August 2008 Amended 2014

The following land management units have been added to the Master Plan’s area descriptions(see Section VII. Descriptions of Management Units) pursuant to land reclassifications approvedby the Commissioner of DEC, dated August 27th 2008 as a part of the plan.

Hunter - West Kill Wilderness Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness

Colgate Lake Wild Forest Delaware Wild Forest Elm Ridge Wild Forest Rusk Mountain Wild Forest

Diamond Notch Primitive Bicycle CorridorDutcher Notch/Colgate Lake Primitive Bicycle CorridorMink Hollow Primitive Bicycle CorridorOverlook Turnpike Primitive Bicycle Corridor

The table below explains which management units were either combined, renamed or reclassified to formnew management units.

1985 Land Management Unit 2008 Land Management Unit

Big Indian - Beaver Kill Range Wilderness Big Indian Wilderness

West Kill Wilderness, Ox Clove WildForest and portion of Hunter MountainWild Forest

Hunter - West Kill Wilderness

Plateau Mountain - Indian Head MountainWilderness

Indian Head Wilderness

Slide Mountain - Panther MountainWilderness

Slide Mountain Wilderness

Blackhead Range, and North Mtn. WildForests, and portions of the formerWindham High Peak and Black DomeValley Wild Forest

Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness

Jocky Hill - Morgan Hill Wild Forest Bluestone Wild Forest

Black Dome Valley Wild Forest (portion) Colgate Lake Wild Forest

Cherry Ridge - Campbell Mountain &Middle Mountain - Mary Smith Hill WildForests

Delaware Wild Forest

Windham Peak Wild Forest (west end) Elm Ridge Wild Forest

Hunter Mountain Wild Forest (west end) Rusk Mountain Wild Forest

Shandaken - Pine Hill, and Peck HollowWild Forests

Shandaken Wild Forest

Claryville - Sundown - Sholam, andPeekamoose Valley Wild Forests

Sundown Wild Forest

Cover artwork “Sunset Over the Catskills” by James Gurney

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CATSKILL PARK STATISTICSSIZE

(Approximate Figures)

CATSKILL PARK: 1,102 sq. mi. or 705,500 acres

PUBLIC FOREST PRESERVE LANDS WITHIN THE PARK: 287,500 acres (41%)

NEW YORK CITY OWNED WATERSHED LANDS WITHIN THE PARK: 40,500 acres (6%)

PRIVATE LAND WITHIN THE PARK: 381,070 acres (53%)

PUBLIC FOREST PRESERVE LANDS OUTSIDE THE PARK: 6,740 acres

FOREST PRESERVE ACREAGE, BY COUNTY:County Acreage County Acreage

Delaware 42,000 Sullivan 18,800

Greene 79,200 Ulster 154,200

FOREST PRESERVE MANAGEMENT UNITSClassification (# of Units) Acres

Wilderness (5) 143,000 (51%)

Wild Forest (14) 130,000 (47%)

Intensive Use (11) 5,580 (2%)

Administrative (6) 824 (0.3%)

Primitive Bicycle Corridor (4) 156

Conservation Easements (3) 514

STATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND ASSETSFacility/Asset Number Facility/Asset Number

Campgrounds 7 (738 Campsites) Hiking Trails 303 miles

Alpine Ski Centers 1 (33 trails) Snowmobile Trails 80 miles

Day use Areas 2 Horse Trails 34 miles

Fishing AccessSites

21 Lean-Tos 33

Public FishingRights

60 miles Primitive Campsites 187

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ANNUAL FOREST PRESERVE PUBLIC USEClassification Visitors/Year*

Wilderness 34,000

Wild Forest 66,000

Intensive Use 448,000

Administrative 5,000

Total 553,000* Estimates based on year 2002 Trail Registers, Camping Permit and lift ticket sales

DEC OFFICESCentral Office Region 3 Region 4

625 BroadwayAlbany, NY 12233-4254518-473-9518

21 S. Putt Corners Rd.New Paltz, NY 12561845-256-3000(Ulster and SullivanCounties)

1130 North. Westcott Rd.Schenectady, NY 12306518-357-2070

65561 State Hwy 10, Suite 1Stamford, NY 12167607-652-7365(Delaware & Greene Counties)

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FOREWORD“The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired,constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shallbe forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not beleased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation,public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold,removed or destroyed . . .”

Article 14, Section 1 of the New York State Constitution

The People of the State of New York have demonstrated a deep and abiding concern for theCatskill region for over a century. Following exploitation of the region during the 19th centuryby a series of natural resource-based industries, including the leather tanning industry whichused hemlock bark, the wood products industry, acid factories and the bluestone industry, thecitizens of the state demanded protection for the region. They were particularly concerned thatintense timber harvesting had jeopardized the area's tremendous water resources on which theywere so dependent. This led to the creation of the Forest Preserve, by statute, in 1885. It wasone of the earliest attempts at land preservation in the United States. In 1894, an amendmentto the State Constitution gave constitutional protection to Forest Preserve lands, providing thatthey be “forever kept as wild forest lands and directing that they "shall not be leased, sold orexchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon besold, removed or destroyed." This mandate, now Article XIV, Section 1 of the New York StateConstitution, ensures lasting protection for one of the state's most valuable resources.

Since 1885, the Catskill Forest Preserve has grown from 34,000 acres to over 290,000 acres.It serves as a watershed, wildland recreation area and ecological and scenic reserve. Whilethe Constitution's Forever Wild clause has both protected and directed management of theselands for nearly a century, public use and interest has steadily increased. To cope with thisever-increasing demand, the Department of Environmental Conservation developed a CatskillPark State Land Master Plan (Plan) in 1985 to provide overall guidance for consistent anduniform management of the Catskill Forest Preserve. This revision is based on the continuedemployment of the basic guidance principles encompassed in the 1985 version, and expandsthe plan to address the increased level and diversity of use by recreationists, including morerecent uses such as mountain or off-road bicycling. In addition, current federal and Statemandates, policies and regulations are addressed, including the Americans with Disabilities Act,to direct management for the anticipated increase in use and enjoyment of the Forest Preservefor all citizens.

An initial draft revision of the plan was released for public comment in 2003. Extensivecomments were received, principally regarding mountain bicycling use. The Departmentfacilitated a dialogue between several environmental/hiking groups and two bicycling groupsto determine if a compromise could be reached regarding bicycling. Building on this dialogue,the Department made several changes to the 2003 draft revision, including the creation of anew land classification, Primitive Bicycle Corridor, to address the concerns raised in 2003. Asecond revised draft Plan was released for public comment in April 2008. This final Planincorporates public comments received in both 2003 and 2008.

DAVID A. PATERSONGOVERNOR STATE OF NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

ALBANY, NEW YORK 12233-1010

MEMORANDUM

ALEXANDER B. GRANNISCOMMISSIONER

TO: The Record

FROM: Alexander B. Grannis

DATE: AUG 2 7 2008

SUBJECT: Revision of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan

The revision of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan has been completed. The Plan isconsistent/with. guidelines of the State Constitution, Environmental ConservatioIl Law, andDepartment Rules, Regulations and Policies. The plan is hearby approved and adopted.

-~--,Alexander B. Grannis, Commissioner

AUG 272008

Date

t

V

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CATSKILL PARK STATISTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

LOCATION MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x

I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A. A Brief History of the Catskill Forest Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1B. Other Public Lands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4C. Private Ownerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5D. Regional Economics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

II. OPEN SPACE PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

III. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

IV. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A. Guidelines for All Classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The Constitution and the Law - The Authority for Forest PreserveManagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Tree Cutting in the Forest Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Invasive Species Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Public Information, Education, and Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14A Balanced Approach to Recreational Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Linking Management Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Fish and Wildlife Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Access for People With Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Temporary Revocable Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Natural Resource Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Fisheries Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Wildlife Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Bird Conservation Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Rare and Extirpated Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Design Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Trailheads - Parking Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Directional and Informational Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Historic Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26The Unit Manager and the Unit Management Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

The Unit Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27The Unit Management Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Funding and Staffing Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

B. Wilderness Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Basic Guidelines for Wilderness Management and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Wilderness Recreational Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Special Wilderness Recreational Activity Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Wilderness Structures and Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

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Motorized Uses and Bicycles in Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Temporary Revocable Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Roads in Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Wilderness Vistas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Wilderness Flora and Fauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Wilderness Fisheries Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Habitat Improvement Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Wilderness Wildlife Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Wilderness Boundary Marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Designation of Wilderness Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

C. Wild Forest Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Basic Guidelines for Wild Forest Management and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Recreational Use in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Wild Forest Structures and Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Motorized Uses in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Administrative Use of Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Roads in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Snowmobile Trails in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Horse Trails in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Bicycle Trails in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Vistas in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Flora and Fauna in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Fisheries Management in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Species Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Habitat Improvement Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Wildlife Management in Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Designation of Wild Forest Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

D. Primitive Bicycle Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Basic Guidelines for Primitive Bicycle Corridor Management and Use . . . 46Recreational Use in Primitive Bicycle Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Primitive Bicycle Corridor Structures and Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Designation of Primitive Bicycle Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

E. Intensive Use Area Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Basic Guidelines for Management and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Intensive Use Area Structures and Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Campgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Ski Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Proposed Visitor Information Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Day Use Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Fishing Access Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Recreational Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Off-Season Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Designation of Intensive Use Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

F. Administrative Area Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Guidelines for Management and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Designation of Administrative Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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V. UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

VI. MASTER PLAN REVISION AND REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

VII. DESCRIPTIONS OF MANAGEMENT UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60A. Wilderness Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60B. Wild Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64C. Primitive Bicycle Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71D. Intensive Use Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72E. Administrative Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

VIII. ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE CPSLMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

APPENDIX A: ARTICLE XIV OF THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION . . . . . . . . . 78

APPENDIX B: GENERAL DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

APPENDIX C: LONG DISTANCE TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

APPENDIX D: DEPARTMENT POLICIES RELATING TO THE FOREST PRESERVE . 85

APPENDIX E: PUBLIC USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

APPENDIX F: STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

APPENDIX G: REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

APPENDIX H: CATSKILL HIGH PEAKS BIRD CONSERVATION AREA MANAGEMENTGUIDANCE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

APPENDIX I: RESPONSIVE SUMMARY - PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE 2003 DRAFTPLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

APPENDIX Ia: RESPONSIVE SUMMARY - PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE REVISED 2008DRAFT PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

APPENDIX J: CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

TABLESTABLE 1. Catskill Park Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iTABLE 2. Taxes Paid on Catskill Forest Preserve Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7TABLE 3. Authorized Uses on Marked Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18TABLE 4. Detached Parcels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71TABLE 5. Campground Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73TABLE 6. Catskill Forest Preserve Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

2014 AMENDMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

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LOCATION MAP

Catskill Park State Land Master Plan - August 20081

I. INTRODUCTION

This document is a master plan for ForestPreserve and other lands administered by theDepartment of Environmental Conservation(DEC or Department) within the Catskill Park,as well as Forest Preserve land outside thePark within Ulster, Greene, Delaware andSullivan Counties. The Catskill Park StateLand Master Plan (CPSLMP) establishesgeographic management units, and classifieseach unit based on the area's characteristicsand level of public use. The CPSLMP directsthe Department to develop managementplans (UMPs) for all units and requires that allUMPs conform to the guidelines for the area'sland classification as set forth in this plan. Each UMP will provide specific information onthe facilities, natural characteristics and publicuse of the unit, as well as specificmanagement objectives and a schedule ofactions needed to meet those objectives.

This master plan is not intended to be acomprehensive public lands plan for all landswithin the Catskill Park. It applies only tostate lands administered by the Department. Lands managed by other State agencies andthe City of New York are not governed by theCPSLMP. The preparation of master plansfor other publicly and privately owned lands isbeyond the authority of the department. However, other State agencies and the City ofNew York are encouraged to cooperate withthe Department in land acquisition andmanagement efforts to enhance therecreational and other natural benefits of theCatskill Park, and to develop plans for themanagement of their lands in conformancewith the policy and guidelines of this plan.

While the legislature has not mandateddevelopment of a master plan formanagement of State lands in the CatskillPark as it has for those in the AdirondackPark, the Department recognizes that such aplan must be developed and adopted if thepublic demand for recreational use of theCatskill Forest Preserve is to be met withoutdegrading the forest environment. A masterplan is also necessary to ensure that Forest

Preserve lands are developed and managedin a consistent manner.

Appendix B contains a glossary of the termsused in this document.

A. A Brief History of the CatskillForest Preserve

The following chronology lists, by date, someof the most important developments in thehistory of the Forest Preserve.

1885: The Catskill Forest Preserve is createdon May 15, when Governor David B. Hill signslegislation requiring that “all lands now ownedor which may hereafter be acquired by theState of New York . . . in eleven Adirondackand three Catskill counties . . . be forever keptas wild forest lands. They shall not be soldnor shall they be leased or taken by anyperson or corporation, public or private.” Athree-person Forest Commission is alsocreated to administer the then 681,000-acreAdirondack Forest Preserve and the 33,894-acre Catskill Forest Preserve.

1887: A log observatory tower is erected onthe summit of Balsam Lake Mountain by theBalsam Lake Club.

1888: Delaware County is added to the threecounties where state lands constitute theCatskill Forest Preserve. State lands in thesame four counties -- Delaware, Greene,Sullivan and Ulster -- still make up thePreserve.

1890: The first specific appropriation foracquisition of land to increase and expand theForest Preserve provides $25,000 to “...purchase lands so located within suchcounties as include the forest preserve ...”

1892: First fiscal allocation ($250) is made toconstruct a “public path” in the ForestPreserve to the summit of Slide Mountain, thehighest in the Catskills. From this path hasevolved a major recreational trail network offoot, horse, ski, and more recently bicycle andsnowmobile trails.

Section I: Introduction


1894: The Forest Preserves is affordedConstitutional protection by Article VII (nowArticle XIV, Section 1) of the New York StateConstitution.

1904: The Catskill Park is created byChapter 233 of the Laws of 1904,encompassing 576,120 acres. New parkboundaries are delineated on a map by a blueline -- continuing a tradition begun withestablishment of the Adirondack Park in 1892,that these boundaries be generally shown onofficial state maps in this manner. TheCatskill Forest Preserve is expanded to92,708 acres through land purchases and taxsale acquisitions.

1905: The first Forest Fire ObservationStation in New York State is established onthe summit of Balsam Lake Mountain in theTown of Hardenburgh, Ulster County.

1909: Two more Forest Fire ObservationStations are established in the Catskills. OnBelleayre Mountain an 85 foot high steeltower is erected by the summer resort ownersof the region. On Hunter Mountain in GreeneCounty, a tower is erected by the state at acost of $100.

1912: The description of the Catskill Park isrevised to include all lands within the blue linein the Park designation, instead of just statelands. A Forest Fire Observation Station isestablished on Slide Mountain.

1916: Voters approve at general election a$7.5 million bond issue to acquire and addlands to the Forest Preserve, adding nearly49,000 acres to the Catskill Forest Preserveover the next ten years.

1917: A fire observation tower is erected onthe summit of Tremper Mountain in the Townof Shandaken, Ulster County.

1920: A fire observation tower is erected onthe summit of Red Hill in the Town ofDenning, Ulster County.

1924: Voters approve at general election a $15 million bond issue expanding state parksand $5 million allocated to acquire lands forthe Forest Preserve in the Adirondack andCatskill Parks. Funds provided for addition of72,000 acres to the Catskill Forest Preserveover the next 20 years.

1926-31: First public campsites (now calledpublic “campgrounds”) established in theCatskill Forest Preserve with a campsiteranger on the premises to manage each ofthem (1929).

! Devil’s Tombstone in Greene County(1926)

! Woodland Valley in Ulster County(1926)

! Beaverkill in Sullivan County (1928)! North Lake in Greene County (1931)

1928: First edition of recreation circular #9,Catskill Trails published by the ConservationDepartment.

1933: Newly formed Civilian ConservationCorps (CCC) provids an enthusiastic workforce and undertakes various conservationprojects, including construction of manycampground facilities. New York State hasover 200 CCC camps, several located in theCatskills.

1947: Voters approve a Constitutionalamendment authorizing the purchase of landsand the use of some existing Forest Preservein Ulster and Delaware Counties for a skicenter on Belleayre Mountain.

1950: A fire observation tower is erected onthe summit of Overlook Mountain in the Townof Woodstock, Ulster County.

1957: Catskill Park enlarged eastward toinclude the Ashokan Reservoir and to the



south to include additional areas of Sullivanand Delaware Counties -- a total of 705,500acres.

1960: Joint Legislative Committee on NaturalResources, asked in 1952 to recommendsolutions to problems affecting the ForestPreserve, begins studying the possibility ofdesignating certain parts as wilderness areas. A year later, the Committee recommendsestablishing four such areas within theCatskill Forest Preserve.

A $75 million Park and Recreation LandAcquisition Bond Act is approved at the 1960General Election. This funding and asupplemental $25 million approved in 1962set aside $451,000 to acquire 12,000 acresfor the Catskill Forest Preserve.

1967: Mongaup Pond Campground in theTown of Rockland, Sullivan Countyestablished. On premises is a 122-acre lake,the largest body of water in the Catskill Parkother than New York City’s Reservoirs.

1968: Little Pond Campground in DelawareCounty opens, providing additionalopportunities for camping, swimming andboating.

1971: Temporary State Commission to Studythe Catskills created by the Legislature andcharged with studying “. . . the necessity ofstrengthening policy regarding management,acquisition and use of public land . . .”

1972: $15 million made available by 1972Environmental Quality Bond Act (EQBA) foracquisition of lands to consolidate andprovide additional access to the ForestPreserve. This is used to acquire nearly36,000 acres in the Catskills.

1975: Temporary State Commission to Studythe Catskills submits its final report. Commission recommends that ForestPreserve lands in the Catskill Park beclassified into areas of wilderness, wild forest

and intensive use according to theircharacteristics and capacity to withstand suchuses. It specifically urges establishing fourwilderness areas identified in 1961 by theJoint Legislative Committee.

1979: DEC opens a seventh Catskillcampground, the Kenneth L. Wilson ParkCampground in the Town of Woodstock,Ulster County.

1985: DEC completes a Catskill Park StateLand Master Plan implementing the CatskillStudy Commission recommendations.

1986: EQBA funds used to acquire over3,490 acres of Catskill Forest Preserve land,as well as 514 acres of use easements.

1987: Constitutional amendment to widen andincrease the mileage of the ski trails atBelleayre Mountain is approved.

1990: State Legislature authorizeddevelopment of New York State’s first OpenSpace Conservation Plan.

1992: Working together, DEC and Office ofParks Recreation and Historic Preservationalong with nine regional citizen advisorycommittees, completes first Open SpaceConservation Plan. The plan proposes whichopen space should be protected for New YorkState’s future and describes how open spaceresources can be conserved and managed ina sensible, affordable way. It also identifiesthe Forest Preserve as a major resourcecategory, and sets a mechanism for addingCatskill Forest Preserve lands and acquiringconservation easements within the Park. Itspecifically proposes a dedicated fundingsource to implement many of the plan’srecommendations.

1993: The Legislature enacts theEnvironmental Protection Act, whichestablishes the Environmental ProtectionFund (EPF) for State Open SpaceConservation Projects; continues local park,



historic preservation, and heritage areamatching grants programs; establishescounty-based farmland protection matchinggrants; funds biodiversity research andidentification; promotes local waterfrontrevitalization plans and coastal rehabilitationprojects as well as authorizes funding forother environmental projects.

1995: Governor Pataki approves an updatedand revised Open Space Conservation Plan.

1996: Governor Pataki proposes and votersapprove a $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean AirBond Act, including $150 million for openspace, $50 million for municipal park, historicpreservation and heritage area programs, $50million to enhance outdoor recreationalopportunities in state parks, and $200 millionto clean up municipal brownfields for futureuses, including open space.

1997: New York City Department ofEnvironmental Protection (NYCDEP), theCoalition of Watershed Towns, EPA, theState of New York, and various environmentalgroups, sign a Memorandum of Agreementdetailing a cooperative framework for landand watershed management within the NewYork City Watershed.


1999: DEC completes a Catskill ForestPreserve Public Access Plan which proposesstrengthening the connection between theForest Preserve and local communities,improving the public’s understanding of andaccess to the Forest Preserve, and creating a“Sense of Park.”



2008: NYSDEC and NYCDEP announce acooperative agreement for the opening ofthousands of acres of City lands adjacent tostate lands, for hunting, hiking, fishing, andtrapping without the need for a City accesspermit.

The Attorney General and the Courts havestrictly construed Article XIV, and haverestricted public use and Departmentmanagement to recreation that is compatiblewith preserving the land as wild forest. Since1895, nearly 200 amendments to Article XIVhave been introduced in the Legislature. Only29 of these actually have been presented tothe state's voters, and only 20 amendmentshave been approved.

Today, approximately 287,500 acres of ForestPreserve land lie within the Catskill Park. This amounts to nearly 41 percent of all landwithin the Park boundary. Outside the Parkthere are over 6,700 acres of "detached"Forest Preserve parcels.

In addition to Forest Preserve, theDepartment has jurisdiction over severalparcels within the Catskill Park classified asnon-Forest Preserve: the Catskill FishHatchery, the DeBruce EnvironmentalConservation Education Camp, the VinegarHill Wildlife Management Area, the SimpsonSki Slope and the Belleayre Mountain DayUse Area.

B. Other Public Lands

The Department of Transportation (DOT) hasjurisdiction over state highways, storageareas and maintenance facilities within thePark. DOT also administers a Scenic Bywayprogram that communities within the CatskillPark can utilize to help protect and enhancethe elements of highways that are importantto them. DEC will work cooperatively withDOT and local communities, should theyexpress interest to develop corridormanagement plans for highway corridors in or



passing through the Catskill Park. Corridorplans can include design and maintenancestandards for road corridors, includingconsideration for utilities within the corridor. Corridor plans and projects should promotesocial needs, economic development needs,and transportation effectiveness whilemaintaining the ecological character, scenicvalues, and overall environmentalsustainability of the Catskill Park

New York City manages approximately58,000 acres of reservoir lands. In January of1997, Catskill towns and counties, the UnitedStates Environmental Protection Agency, theAd Hoc Environmental Coalition, the State ofNew York, and the City of New York signed aMemorandum of Agreement regarding NewYork City watershed issues. The agreementlays the foundation for cooperation to protectNew York City’s water supply, including amajor land acquisition effort by the City. TheCity’s current holdings contribute significantlyto the undeveloped character of the CatskillPark and future acquisitions will expand theacreage of undeveloped land. New York Cityis encouraged to continue a cooperativerelationship with the Department in its landacquisition efforts to insure common goals areachieved through a coordinated landacquisition policy. In addition, cooperation inthe management of the City’s current andfuture land holdings will enhance therecreational opportunities available within theCatskill Park. The Department and New YorkCity have recently agreed to cooperativelymanage City lands which are adjacent to DEClands. The public will not need City accesspermits to hike, hunt, fish, or trap, on theselands, with DEC assisting in enhancedenforcement.

C. Private Ownerships

Public and private lands are intermingled inthe Catskill Park, with most of the ForestPreserve lands at higher elevations and in theless accessible areas of the Catskills. The

tracts of land owned by the state are not neatand rectangular; rather, their borders areinterrupted with private holdings, and manysmaller pieces of Forest Preserve aredetached from the large tracts and arescattered throughout the Park. This landrelationship, with its advantages anddisadvantages, has been considered in thedevelopment of this State Land Master Plan,and will be addressed in individual unitmanagement plans.

D. Regional Economics

Besides its many intrinsic values, the CatskillForest Preserve is an important economicasset for the Catskill Region. Both indirectly,as a powerful attraction to tourists and apositive influence on private land values, anddirectly in terms of property tax payments tolocal governments, the Forest Preservemakes substantial contributions to the localeconomy and serves to enhance the quality oflife of residents.

Seven developed campgrounds, an alpine skicenter and day use area, numerous fishingaccess sites and an extensive trail networkattract more than 500,000 visitors each year. While some are serious hikers, hunters andanglers who spend all their time on stateland, most are day users who consider aForest Preserve outing just one of manyreasons to take a trip to the Catskill region. They may combine a walk on a trail with visitsto local shops and restaurants and anovernight stay at an inn or motel. Others aredrawn to the area simply to enjoy theimpressive mountain scenery of ForestPreserve lands. Though these visitors maynever set foot on a trail, the contribution thatthey make to the local economy is partly dueto the existence of the Forest Preserve.

The Forest Preserve also provides extensiveundeveloped forest land, ideal for protecting high water quality, thus benefitting asignificant portion of the New York City



reservoirs’ watersheds. Protection of waterquality is a high priority for the managementof the Forest Preserve. In addition, theextensive City lands complement the Statelands and provide additional recreationalopportunities for the public.

The indirect effects on tourism and privateland values in the Catskill region that resultfrom the existence and use of the ForestPreserve, while significant, have not beenquantified. To assist in improving local andregional planning additional research isneeded to accurately characterize indirecteconomic effects.

The economic benefits directly conferred onthe region by the payment of property taxescan be quantified. "All wild or forest landsowned by the state within the ForestPreserve" are subject to taxation for allpurposes in accordance with Section 532A ofthe Real Property Tax Law. The New YorkState Office of Real Property Services(formerly Equalization and Assessment)keeps records of taxes levied on state landwithin the Catskill Forest Preserve. Theprojected taxes for taxable state land inCatskill Forest Preserve counties amounts toover $9 million dollars annually. This equatesto approximately $32 dollars/acre/year. Table2 sets forth the type of taxes paid on stateland in the four counties of the Catskill Parkby county, town, school and special district.

State government pays the same taxes onunimproved forest lands as privatelandowners. State government land holdingsare assessed by local government assessors. The tax rate that is established by each localgovernment jurisdiction is applied to theassessment and determines the taxes on theparcel. The procedure is the same as forprivate landowners and the property tax mustbe comparable to rates on similar private landholdings.


TABLE 2. TAXES PAID ON CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE LAND

CountyName

2002ForestPreserveAcreage

2002CountyTaxes

2002TownTaxes

2002School Taxes

2002SpecialDistrictTaxes

2002TotalTaxes

Delaware 42,016 251,222 171,141 574,676 27,658 1,024,697

Greene 79,213 456,093 363,863 1,363,830 64,617 2,248,403

Sullivan 18,825 156,734 132,182 411,179 22,170 722,265

Ulster 154,188 743,813 1,095,589 3,455,191 100,483 5,395,076

Total 294,244 1,607,862 1,762,775 5,804,876 214,928 9,390,441Note: acreage figures are based on Office of Real Property Services and are not identical to DEC mapping.

II. Open Space Protection


II. OPEN SPACEPROTECTION

“The quality and character of the lives ofthe people of New York depend upon thequality and character of the land on whichwe live. Our mountains, lakes, rivers,forests and coastline, our naturallandscapes, urban parks and historicresources shape the way we spend ourleisure time, affect the long term strengthof our economy, determine whether wehave clean air and water, support the webof living things of which we are a part, andaffect how we think about ourselves andrelate to other New Yorkers."

So reads Conserving Open Space in NewYork State (OSP), the 2006 update of aplan developed jointly by DEC and theOffice of Parks, Recreation and HistoricPreservation (OPRHP). As a great naturallandscape "to be forever kept as wildforest lands," the Catskill Forest Preserveis one of the most important open spaceresources in New York State.

Within the Catskill Park, the enhancementof existing Forest Preserve lands and theprotection of additional lands withoutstanding open space values will bepursued in accordance with the provisionsof the most recent revision of the OSP. The primary strategy for achieving openspace protection goals will be theestablishment of partnerships with localgovernments, the federal government, not-for-profit organizations, the private sector,and individual property owners. Theacquisition of lands and conservationeasements by the State is a part of thisstrategy. Available funding will be devotedto the protection of the "PriorityConservation Projects" listed in thatdocument. In the case of a listed projectthat encompasses numerous ownerships,or parcels in the "small projects" category,individual parcels will be reviewed usingthe most appropriate "resource value

rating systems" in the Open Space Plan. The pursuit of open space protection goalsby the Department will take place throughnegotiations with willing sellers. Thepower of eminent domain will only be usedin extraordinary situations, and then onlyas a last resort as outlined in ECL 49-0203, State land acquisition policy.

The OSP identifies several “PriorityConservation Projects” in the CatskillMountain region, where open spaceprotection efforts should be focused. Priority Conservation Areas in the Catskills include:

1) Protection of the Catskill’sunfragmented forests;

2) Protection of the Catskill’s river androad corridors;

3) Protection of New York City Watershedlands.

In some cases, the goals of open spaceprotection may best be served throughmeans other than fee title acquisition. Specifically, open space needs may oftenbe combined with the best interest oflandowners through conservationeasements. For instance, a conservationeasement may be tailored to protect thenatural appearance of an important part ofthe Catskill landscape and secure publicrecreational access while the landownerretains the right to harvest forest products. As another example, the protection of arare plant or animal community mightrequire the management of vegetation in away that would not be possible if theparcel were to become a part of the ForestPreserve. Again, a conservationeasement would be the most appropriatetool. Depending on the circumstances ofan individual project, DEC may hold aneasement while another party retains feetitle, or hold fee title subject to aneasement held by another party. Becausethey may be specifically designed to

II. Open Space Protection


satisfy open space protection needs whilemeeting the goals of individuallandowners, conservation easements willbe considered when appropriate over feetitle acquisition by the state within the Catskill ForestPreserve counties.

The following guidelines conform with theOSP and should be considered withinCatskill Forest Preserve Counties:

1. Future land acquisition by theDepartmetn within the Catskill Parkwill be restricted to acquiring newForest Preserve lands andconservation easements. TheDepartment will avoid acquiringlands in fee for non-ForestPreserve purposes within the park.

2. The Department will avoidacquiring Forest Preserve landsoutside the Catskill Park.

3. The acquisition of rights-of-wayacross private lands that effectivelyprevent access to important blocksof State land should be pursued,except where such acquisitionwould exacerbate or causeproblems of overuse orinappropriate use of State lands.

4. Because the forest productsindustry is an important part of theeconomy of the Catskill region, theopen space values of large parcelsof productive forest land within theCatskill Park should be protected,where appropriate throughconservation easements. Inaddition, DEC will consider theimpacts of fee title acquisition ofparcels within the park that containrare plants or animals or significantwildlife habitat whose perpetuationwould require the cutting of treesand, when appropriate protect

those biological resources througha conservation easement.

5. Future land acquisitions will beclassified through the unitmanagement process, or anamended or revised Master plan,as discussed in Section III,"Classification System."

6. From time to time, persons ororganizations may offer gifts ofland, in fee or easement, to DECwithin the Catskill Park. Suchoffers will be reviewed, and thosemeeting the guidelines herein, andthe provisions of the Open SpacePlan, may be accepted forinclusion in the Forest Preserve.

7. Special consideration will be givento the acquisition of lands suitablefor the development of recreationalopportunities that would beaccessible to families and peoplewith disabilities.

Section III: Classification System


III. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

The Catskill Forest Preserve contains landswith varying degrees of wildness ranging fromremote and trail-less mountain peaks andpicturesque streams to extensively-usedcamping areas and trails. The Preserve iscomposed of a variety of terrain, soil andforest cover types with differing capacities tosustain and recover from recreational use.

Constitutional restrictions on the managementof the Forest Preserve do not specificallyconsider the varying characteristics of theland. Through the classification of the landsof the Catskill Forest Preserve according totheir characteristics and capacity to withstanduse and the preparation of managementguidelines for each classification,comprehensive unit management plans(UMPs) for the future administration of theCatskill Forest Preserve will be developed. UMPs have been completed for most units inthe Catskills, and some UMPs have also beenrevised or amended.

A fundamental determinant of landclassification is the physical characteristic ofthe land or water that affects the capacity ofthe land to accept human use. Soil, slope,elevation and water are the primary elementsof these physical characteristics and arefound in widely varied associations. Forexample, fertility, erosiveness and depth ofsoil, severity of slopes, elevationalcharacteristics reflected in microclimates, andtemperature, chemistry, volume and turnoverrate of streams or lakes all affect the carryingcapacity of the land or water both from thestandpoint of the construction of facilities andthe amount of human use the land or water can absorb. By and large, these factorshighlight the essential fragility of certainportions of state lands within the park,particularly those found at higher elevations,as well as low-lying areas such as wetlands,rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.

Biological considerations also play animportant role in the structuring of theclassification system. Many of these areassociated with the physical limitations justdescribed. For instance, many plants at highaltitudes are less able to withstand tramplingthan species associated with lower elevationlife zones. Wetland ecosystems frequently arefinely balanced and incapable of absorbingmaterial changes resulting from construction orintensive human use. In addition, wildlifevalues and wildlife habitats are relevant to thecharacteristics of the land and sometimesdetermine whether a particular kind of humanuse should be encouraged or prohibited, suchas the impact of snowmobiles on deerwintering yards, the effect of hikers or campersnear the nesting habitat of threatened orendangered species like the bald eagle or theproblems associated with motorized access tobodies of water with wild strains of native trout.

Another significant determinant of landclassification involves certain intangibleconsiderations that have an inevitable impacton the character of land. Some of these aresocial or psychological - such as the sense ofremoteness and degree of wildness availableto users of a particular area, which may resultfrom the size of an area, the type or density ofits forest cover, the ruggedness of the terrainor merely the views over other areas of thepark from some vantage point.

Finally, the classification system takes intoaccount the established facilities on the land,the historic and current uses by the public, andthe policies followed by the department. Manyof these factors are self-evident: the presenceof an existing campground or ski area requiresthe classification of intensive use. The extentof existing facilities and uses which mightmake it impractical to attempt to recreate awilderness or wild forest atmosphere is also aconsideration. This is not to imply that whenpresent uses or facilities are degrading theresource they should be continued, but theirpresence cannot be ignored. The uniquemixture of public and private land within the

Section III: Classification System


Park also requires recognition of facilities anduses on contiguous or nearby private lands.

The above described factors are obviouslycomplex. Nonetheless, the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation believes that theclassification system described below reflectsthe character and capacity to withstand use ofall Department-administered State landswithin the park.

Five basic classifications are established inthis Plan:

1. Wilderness2. Wild Forest3. Primitive Bicycle Corridor4. Intensive Use5. Administrative

The Primitive Bicycle Corridor is a newclassification in this final version of the Plan.

The unifying theme of this classificationsystem is that the protection and preservationof the natural resources of the Catskill ForestPreserve will be paramount. Human use andenjoyment of those lands should be permittedand encouraged, so long as the resources intheir physical and biological context and theirsocial or psychological aspects are notdegraded beyond a limit of acceptablechange.

New additions to the Forest Preserve will beclassified in accordance with classificationcriteria set forth in this Plan. Parcels will beclassified to match the units to which they willbe attached, or which are in closest proximity.Initial classification, or re-classification to amore restrictive classification will beaccomplished either through thedevelopment, revision, or amendment of aUMP or by an amendment to, or revision of,this Plan. Re-classification of lands to a lessrestrictive classification may only beaccomplished by an amendment to, orrevision of, the this Plan. A map of theCatskill Forest Preserve showing the name

and location of each planning unit can befound in Appendix I.

IV. Management Guidelines


IV. MANAGEMENTGUIDELINES

This section of the plan sets forth generalguidelines for all Forest Preserve lands. Italso sets forth specific guidelines for eachmajor land classification and provides variousspecial management guidelines for uniqueresources within these major classifications. These guidelines are subject to any futurelegal rulings further restricting uses of theForest Preserve and they are not to beconsidered as attempts to makedeterminations as to the constitutionalappropriateness of any such structures,improvements or uses. From a constitutionalperspective, this Plan should be regarded asneutral in character.

In addition, the designation of administrativeareas in this Plan should not be taken aslending weight to the constitutionalappropriateness of the general treatment ofthese lands by the state, either legislatively oradministratively, as non-Forest Preserve.

Nothing in the guidelines for lands within eachmajor classification shall be deemed toprevent the Department from applying morerestrictive management where necessary tocomply with constitutional requirements or toprotect the natural resources of such lands.

A. Guidelines for AllClassifications

The guidelines given in this section apply toall lands whose management is governed bythe Master plan.

The Constitution and the Law - TheAuthority for Forest Preserve Management

The acquisition, management and use ofForest Preserve lands is directly attributableto the will of the people through the New YorkState Constitution and several sections of the

Environmental Conservation Law. TheseConstitutional provisions and statutes and interpretations by the courts and severalAttorney General opinions have been the basisfor Forest Preserve policy since its inception inl885.

Article XIV, Section l, of the New York StateConstitution provides the over riding legalauthority by stating, in relevant part, that "Thelands of the State, now owned or hereafteracquired, constituting the forest preserve asnow fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wildforest lands. They shall not be leased, sold orexchanged, or be taken by any corporation,public or private, nor shall the timber thereonbe sold, removed or destroyed."

Section 9-0101 of the EnvironmentalConservation Law defines the "ForestPreserve" [in the Catskills] as all those landsowned or hereafter acquired by the state withinthe counties of Delaware, Greene, Ulster andSullivan except;

a. Lands within the limits of any village orcity;

b. Lands not wild lands and not situatedwithin the Catskill Park acquired by thestate on foreclosure of mortgagesmade to loan commissioners; and

c. Lands acquired under provisions ofECL Section 9-0107 (gifts for parks andfor silvicultural research) and 9-0501(power to acquire reforestation areasoutside the Catskill Park).

Sections 3-0301 (1) (d) and 9-0105 (1) of theEnvironmental Conservation Law place theresponsibility for the care, custody and controlof the Forest Preserve in the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation.

By statute (Section 9-030l [1] of theEnvironmental Conservation Law), these landshave been reserved and maintained for thefree use of all the people, except that a feecan be charged for the use of facilities.



Section 9-0l0l [2] of the EnvironmentalConservation Law defines the Catskill Park toinclude all lands located in the Counties ofDelaware, Greene, Sullivan, and Ulster withindescribed boundaries generally referred to asthe Catskill "Blue Line." As discussedpreviously, the Catskill Park includes privateas well as public lands.

The Biodiversity Act of 1993 mandates thatDEC identify, manage and conserve plants,animals and ecological communities that arerare in New York State, and that are locatedon State-owned lands under the jurisdiction ofthe Department. The Act also establisheswithin DEC the New York Natural HeritageProgram to identify, locate, rank and maintainrecords on the status of rare plants, animalsand ecological communities, for the purposeof conserving and managing the State'sbiological diversity. The act also "recognizesthat active management of ecosystems canenhance biodiversity."

See Appendix D for a list of additional policieswhich govern DEC's care, custody and controlof the Forest Preserve.

Tree Cutting in the Forest Preserve

Article XIV of the Constitution specificallystates that the timber on the Forest Preserveshall not “... be sold, removed or destroyed.” Over the years it has been necessary tooccasionally cut a limited number of ForestPreserve trees in the interest of public safety,overall protection of the Preserve and for thedevelopment of facilities. Such cutting hasbeen sanctioned through Constitutionalamendment, court decision or by Opinion ofthe Attorney General.

In 1984 the DEC Commissioner established apolicy regarding the cutting, removal ordestruction of trees and other vegetation onall Forest Preserve lands. The policy requiresthe approval of the Director of the Division ofLands and Forests for all projects that involvecutting, removal or destruction of trees or

other vegetation in the course of constructionof new facilities and the expansion ormodification of existing facilities. It alsodelegates responsibility for approval of allroutine maintenance projects involving thecutting, removal or destruction of trees or othervegetation to the Regional Forester. In thatsame year, the Division of Lands and Forestsestablished administrative procedures toimplement this policy (L&F 84-2). TheCommissioner’s policy was amended in 1986to provide for adequate notice to the public. In1991 the Division revised L&F 84-2. Inestablishing administrative procedures for anyvegetative manipulation occurring within theForest Preserve, L&F 91-2 directs thedepartment to consider alternatives to treecutting wherever feasible. For example,instead of cutting trees to build a bridge, theDepartment should first consider relocating thetrail to avoid the need for a bridge, utilizingrock stepping stones instead of a bridge, orcarrying in logs from another non-ForestPreserve location. This policy also ensuresthat appropriate mitigation measures will beundertaken when tree cutting is necessary. Mitigation measures include lopping tops,cutting stumps flush to the ground, and leavinga buffer between the trail or facility and the treeto be cut.

Any action involving the cutting, removal ordestruction of trees on Forest Preserve landswill be in accordance with Commissioner’sOrganization and Delegation Memorandum#84-06 relating to the construction of newfacilities, the expansion or modification ofexisting facilities and routine maintenanceprojects on lands of the Forest Preserve (asamended in 1986); and Lands and ForestsPolicy 91-2: Cutting, Removal or Destructionof Trees and Endangered, Threatened or RarePlants on Forest Preserve lands.

Invasive Species Management

Invasive species (as defined under FederalExecutive Order 13112 see definitions), mayinjure, kill, or displace native plants or



communities growing on Forest Preservelands. Currently, Japanese knotweed is aninvasive plant species sometimes found onForest Preserve lands. Mile -A-Minute vine isa concern, although not currently prevalent.Other species of some concern includepurple loosestrife, common reed, gianthogweed and garlic mustard. In addition,several plant pathogens, such as Asian longhorned beetle, hemlock wooly adelgid,emerald ash borer, sirex wood wasp andsudden oak death, among others, posesignificant threats to the different tree species. There are also several aquatic species thatmay be problematic to functioning naturalaquatic ecosystems.

The introduction of alien species occursfrequently throughout the US and New YorkState; however, only a small percentageactually become invasive and pose a threat toa natural functioning ecosystem. Although inthe context of a global society, the transfer ofspecies from one location to another may beviewed as part of a “natural process,” theremay be occasions when this relocation ofnon-native species becomes unacceptableand an active response is warranted.

The Department has recently created a newOffice of Invasive Species to work withvarious universities, state agencies and non-profit groups in coordinating a response toinvasive species. The Department will alsowork with the new Catskill Region InvasiveSpecies Partnership (CRISP) to work oneducation, inventory, research, controlprotocol, and control of invasive species. Aninventory and analysis of the currentdistribution of invasive species on ForestPreserve lands will provide the necessary information on the present extent of invasiveexotics and provide the basis for long termdecision making.

Irrespective of a completed inventory andanalysis, the Department will take necessaryactions to control invasive species wherethere is potential for significant degradation tothe native ecosystem. These actions can

include mechanical control, biological control, and the use of pesticides, and will requirecompliance with applicable laws including theState Environmental Quality Review Act noticein the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) andapproval by the Director of the Division ofLands and Forests.

Public Information, Education, andInterpretation

New York State residents and visitors see theCatskill Forest Preserve in a variety of ways. Most people are aware of the CatskillMountains as the scenic backdrop of Catskillhighways and communities and knowsomething of their history as a setting for largevacation resorts, however, relatively few havea clear idea of what the Forest Preserve is orhow Forest Preserve lands intermingle withprivate lands and communities to form theunique relationship that characterizes theCatskill Park. Even the thousands of peopleeach year who stay at Forest Preservecampgrounds or travel the trails of the ForestPreserve are not fully aware of its rich history,natural resource values, recreationalopportunities, and importance to the economyof the Catskill region.

To better serve the interests of New Yorkers,with particular attention to the residents of theCatskill Park, the Department will develop avisitor information system for the CatskillForest Preserve. Primary goals of the visitorinformation system will be to increase publicunderstanding and enjoyment of the ForestPreserve while contributing to the protection ofits natural resources for future generations. These goals will be achieved by encouragingvisitors to discover less well-knownrecreational opportunities, educating themabout the proper use of Forest Preserve lands,and enhancing their experience as they travelthe scenic byways of the Catskill Park.

A major component of the information systemwill be a strategy to interpret the natural andcultural history of the Forest Preserve and the



many ways that the "forever wild" lands of theCatskills benefit the people of the region andthe state. The primary contact point tointroduce the public to the Park is theproposed Catskill Interpretive Center (CIC), tobe built on lands along State Route 28 in theTown of Shandaken, Ulster County, just westof the hamlet of Boiceville. The proposed CICwill interpret the region’s natural and culturalresources through a variety of educationalprograms and services. The CIC will directvisitors to outdoor recreation, historical andcultural opportunities throughout the region,including local communities and services theyoffer.

DEC campgrounds, day use areas and theBelleayre Ski Center will become ForestPreserve "information stations," distributingpublications and presenting informationaldisplays to visitors. The information systemwill be designed to blend environmental andopen space protection with economicdevelopment and will be implemented inpartnership with local governments andorganizations.

The details of the visitor information systemare presented in the Catskill Forest PreservePublic Access Plan adopted in 1999.

A Balanced Approach to RecreationalDevelopment

There is a long history of recreational use ofthe Forest Preserve. In the late nineteenthcentury, those who argued for the creation ofthe Forest Preserve recognized its value as aplace where city dwellers could engage inhealthful exercise and find spiritual renewal. Since the construction of the trail to thesummit of Slide Mountain in 1892, over 300miles of trails have been constructed. TheDevil's Tombstone and Woodland ValleyCampgrounds, opened in 1926, were the firstof seven Catskill Forest Preservecampgrounds. The facilities that now exist onthe Forest Preserve afford opportunities for avariety of recreational activities.

Campgrounds provide basic amenities andeasy access for camping, picnicking,swimming, and other outdoor activities in asocial setting. Visitors who are looking forsolitude far from roads and cities can hike intothe interior of the Forest Preserve to observeplants and animals in their natural environmentand to camp, hunt, and fish. But ForestPreserve managers are being challenged by asteady increase in the demand for recreationby visitors with a wide variety of interests andabilities.

In the early years, most people entered theForest Preserve on foot. Some traveled onhorseback. More recently, new trail uses havebecome popular at the same time that levels oftraditional uses have climbed. While in somecases the increased interest in trails byequestrians, cross-country skiers,snowmobilers, and bicyclists has led to thedevelopment of specialized trails, more oftendifferent uses have been combined on existingtrail systems. The increased pressure forshared use has elevated the potential forconflicts between users. Allowing new uses onexisting trails can also lead to increasedphysical impacts. DEC faces the challenge ofaccommodating increasing levels of trail use,without altering the wild character of ForestPreserve lands and maintaining the quality ofthe recreational experience.

The recent steady increase in public use in theCatskill Forest Preserve has been mostdramatic in areas that are attractive and easilyaccessible. The short trail to Kaaterskill Fallsis climbed by thousands of people each year. The use of the Peekamoose Valley primitivecamping area for day use and campingbecame so popular in the early 1980's that astrong law enforcement presence was requiredto keep use levels in line with the capacity ofthe area. Similar challenges existed in theRussell Brook area. The popularity of theseplaces illustrates the demand for expandedrecreational access for people who are notinclined or physically able to travel into thebackcountry. Because much of the ForestPreserve land in the Catskills is steep and



separated from public highways by privatelands, accessible opportunities for outdoorrecreation are limited, especially for familiesand people with disabilities. DEC recognizesthis gap in the array of existing recreationalopportunities and intends to focus onimproving access and increasing recreationalopportunity for all those interested inexploring the Forest Preserve.

Within the towns and villages of the CatskillPark, 50,000 people live and work. Tourismmakes a large contribution to the economy ofCatskill communities. With its great scenicqualities and abundant opportunities foroutdoor recreation, the Catskill ForestPreserve plays a significant part in attractingthose who visit local tourist businesses. Therefore, the way that recreation on ForestPreserve lands is developed and managedcan have important ramifications for theCatskill economy. To assure that themanagement of the Forest Preserve iscoordinated with Catskill communities, theDepartment will maintain open communicationwith local governments and residents in allaspects of Forest Preserve planning.

The primary goal of Forest Preservemanagement is the perpetuation of ForestPreserve lands in a wild state. Inconformance with constitutional and legalconstraints, protection of the naturalresources, as well as the managementguidelines established for each classification,DEC will manage the lands of the CatskillForest Preserve to provide significantopportunities for a variety of recreationalactivities for people of all abilities. Throughpartnerships with local governments,organizations, and individuals, DEC willprovide for the use and enjoyment of ForestPreserve lands in ways that will support theeconomy of the Catskill region whileprotecting the wildness that is essential to thecharacter of the Forest Preserve.

Opportunities for Forest Preserve recreationwill be developed and managed in accordancewith the following guidelines:

Trails

! The location of "family trails" will beplanned and constructed for thepurpose of improving recreationalaccess, enjoyment, and understandingof the Forest Preserve for all people. Inlocating family trails, preference will begiven to places accessible from majorhighways in Wild Forest and IntensiveUse areas where the land throughwhich the trail passes or the destinationof the trail has high scenic, ecological,or historical interest. In general, familytrails will be foot trails two miles or lessin length, or bicycle trails three to fivemiles or less in length that traversegentle terrain, and provide firm, dryfooting or trail tread. They will be easily identified from the road, clearly marked,and well maintained. Sufficient parkingwill be provided at the trailhead toaccommodate anticipated use. Theecological and historical features offamily trails will be interpreted throughtrailhead signs, wayside exhibits, andpublications. In suitable locations, trailsand associated structures will bedesigned and constructed to beaccessible for people with disabilities. Where possible, family trails will bedeveloped and maintained inpartnership with local governments,organizations, and residents.

! Forest Preserve lands will be linkedwith nearby communities through trailconnections where feasible,appropriate, and supported by localgovernments, residents, andlandowners. Priority will be given totrail linkages that tie into existing publictransportation, reduce the need for newstructures and improvements -- such asparking lots and access roads -- on



Forest Preserve lands, support localeconomic development plans, andfoster the development of interpretiveand educational programs.

! Only those trail uses appropriate tothe classification of the unit andcompatible with the physicalcharacteristics and natural resourcesetting of the trail will be allowed.

! Conflicts between different types oftrail use will be minimized. If possible,different types of trail use will beseparated. Because they occur indifferent seasons, some uses--such assnowmobiling and mountain bicycling--can be temporally separated, eventhough they are allowed on the sametrail.

! Most of the trails in the ForestPreserve were constructed for use bythose traveling on foot. Hiking andaccess for hunting, fishing andtrapping have always been the primarytrail uses on Forest Preserve lands. Selected trails considered especiallyimportant for foot travel will not beconsidered for other types of trail use. Trails, or portions of them, to bereserved for foot travel will beidentified in unit management plans.

! If demand exists for a type of trail usein an area where it is appropriate butcan not be separated from other trailuses, the use will be allowed onexisting trails where shared use willnot lead to unacceptable conflictsbetween trail users or unacceptablephysical impacts.

! On trails shared by different types oftrail use, the Department will work togain public acceptance of trail sharingby informing visitors about the types oftrail uses allowed and promoting theprinciples of trail-sharing etiquette

through trailhead signs, publications,and personal contact. Trail use will bemonitored. Should monitoring revealthat the addition of a new type of trailuse has caused unacceptable levels ofconflict between trail users orunacceptable physical impacts to atrail, appropriate management actionwill be taken to reduce such conflicts orimpacts. Action may include elimination of a type of trail use fromthe trail, or the creation of new trail,through the UMP process, to helpmaintain the various recreationalopportunities that are currently present.

! Development of long-distance trails thatcross the boundaries of managementunits and DEC regions will beencouraged as a type of recreationalopportunity appropriate for ForestPreserve lands. Routes of long-distance trails will incorporate existingtrails where feasible and appropriate. However, long-distance trails will not belocated where anticipated levels of useon new or existing trails or increasedaccess to adjacent areas will haveunacceptable impacts on naturalresources, the recreational experiencesof visitors, or lands outside the ForestPreserve. Because most long-distancetrails cross both public and privatelands, DEC managers will coordinatewith private landowners, the managersof other involved public lands, and trailorganizations in the development andmanagement of long-distance trails. Descriptions of three long-distance trailprojects -- the Long Path, the FingerLakes Trail, and the proposed NewYork State Snowmobile Corridor Trail#2 are given in Appendix C.

! Proposals to construct new trails, allownew uses on existing trails, or eliminateuses on existing trails will not beimplemented unless they are includedin adopted unit management plans.



However the area manager may closetrails or eliminate a use at any time,when necessary to protect naturalresources or the safety of the public.The minimum tool concept - using theleast disruptive measure toaccomplish the goal - will beemployed. No one use will beconsidered paramount to any other,when considering solutions to seriousconflicts or physical impacts. When atrail or use is eliminated, whenfeasible every effort will be made toidentify new opportunities, through theUMP process, to insure a comparablerecreational experience is maintained.

Table 3 shows the various trail types and the uses that are legally authorized on trailsmarked for each use:

TABLE 3. AUTHORIZED USES ON MARKED TRAILS

TYPE OF TRAIL HIKING HORSE BICYCLE X/C SKI SNOWMOBILEFOOT X - X3 X -HORSE X X - X -BICYCLE X X X X -X/C SKI X X2 X3 X -SNOWMOBILE X X2 X2 X X1

NOTES:1. Only when covered with snow. 2. Only when not covered with snow or ice. 3. Not in wilderness.

Linking Management Units

Intensive Use Areas are easily accessibleparts of the Forest Preserve where relativelylarge numbers of people enjoy types ofoutdoor recreation that do not require thelevel of physical fitness and the degree ofself-sufficiency generally needed for travelinto wilderness and wild forest areas. Although the recreational potential of mostintensive use areas has been developed to aconsiderable extent, additional opportunitiesexist. Especially in those intensive use areasthat are situated adjacent to wild forest lands,trails could be developed that would expand

accessible recreational opportunity forvisitors. Short trails to scenic outlooks, looptrails for mountain bicycles, and interpretivetrails could make a family trip to acampground more enjoyable and informative. New recreational opportunities withinintensive use areas and trails linking intensiveuse areas with adjacent lands will beidentified and proposed for development, withspecial emphasis on opportunities for familygroups and people with disabilities. Newproposals will be implemented once they areincluded in the adopted unit managementplans for the affected areas.



Fish and Wildlife Recreation

Most recreationists visiting the ForestPreserve will observe wildlife incidentally towhatever activity they are pursuing. Seeingwildlife enhances the overall outdoorexperience. Some individuals, however, dofrequent the Forest Preserve for the expresspurpose of observing wildlife. Bird watchersare an example.

Deer hunters are one of the primary users ofthe Forest Preserve during the big gamehunting seasons. The remoteness of ForestPreserve lands in the Catskills and the factthat most of these lands are along ridgetopsand on mountain summits means that accessis very limited and the harvest is somewhatminimized. The deer hunter who hunts theForest Preserve is an individual who wants toget into an area where hunter densities arelow, someone who likes the remoteness andrugged conditions afforded by a “wilderness”hunting experience. Most hunter access is attrailheads; however, some direct access fromadjacent private property also occurs. Whilesome people hunt specifically for black bearsin the Catskills, most are harvestedincidentally to deer.

A considerable amount of trapping occurs inthe Forest Preserve. The remoteness of thearea lends itself to trapping; the risk ofencountering free-ranging domestic animalsis very slim. The larger fur-bearers trapped inthe Forest Preserve include beaver, coyote,bobcat, fisher and otter. The smaller, morenumerous and frequently trapped species areracoons, weasels, skunks, mink, muskratsand gray and red foxes.

Fishing is somewhat limited in the ForestPreserve, especially at the higher elevations. Some opportunity exists for brook trout andwild browns and rainbows, but many of thestreams are very small and frequentlyseasonal in nature. These small streamsprovide a very important function, however, inthat they are often nursery grounds for trout

which move down into the larger lakes andstreams and enhance the fishingopportunities the Catskills are so famous for.

Access for People With Disabilities

The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of1990 (ADA) has implications for themanagement of all public lands, including theForest Preserve. The ADA requires, in part,that each service, program and activityoffered by state agencies be made accessibleto and useable by people with disabilities,unless doing so would result in a fundamentalalteration of the nature of the service,program or activity or an undue financial andadministrative burden. Although not yetadopted, recommended guidelines forsatisfying the mandates of the ADA in theareas of new construction and alteration tooutdoor recreational facilities have beendeveloped by the Regulatory NegotiationCommittee for the U.S. Architectural andTransportation Barriers Compliance Board as36 CFR Part 1195. Land managers arerequired by the ADA mandate to use the bestpossible information in developing, enhancingand improving recreational facilities. As theproposed guidelines provide the most recentand best available information on this subject,they will be employed to address accessibilityissues in the Catskill Forest Preserve.

Over the years, an extensive network of trails,a ski center and day use area, and severalcampgrounds have been developed onCatskill Forest Preserve lands to providerecreational opportunities for the public. However, because of its character as anundeveloped natural area, the interior of theForest Preserve has been largelyinaccessible to people with disabilities. Incampgrounds, DEC has made a number ofimprovements. Rest rooms, camping andpicnic areas, fishing sites and other structuresare designed and constructed or modified foraccessibility. Numerous boat launches alsohave been made accessible. But theaccessibility of the areas of the Forest



Preserve now classified as “wild forest” and“wilderness” remain limited.

DEC has solicited the advice andrecommendations of federal and stategovernment experts on the ADA, people withdisabilities, environmental and recreationalinterests and others to develop the bestapproach toward meeting the requirements ofthe ADA on the Forest Preserve. In 1997,DEC adopted policy CP-3, Motor VehicleAccess to State Lands under Jurisdiction ofthe Department of EnvironmentalConservation for People with Disabilities, thatestablishes guidelines for issuing temporaryrevocable permits allowing qualified peoplewith disabilities to use motor vehicles ondesignated routes on certain state lands. According to the policy as it applies to theForest Preserve, on lands classified as “WildForest” and “Intensive Use,” people withqualifying disabilities may obtain permits touse motor vehicles in certain specifiedlocations. This plan is subject to theprovisions of that policy. A person with aqualifying disability may also obtain a permitto hunt from a motor vehicle.

Policy CP-3 reflects an interpretation of theADA in terms of the “fundamental nature” ofeach Forest Preserve classification. Wilderness areas are managed to preservetheir natural conditions, minimize humandisturbance, and offer outstandingopportunities for solitude. Therefore, no useof motor vehicles is allowed. In comparisonwith wilderness areas, wild forest areas aremanaged, in general, to accommodate agreater variety of recreational activities and ahigher intensity of recreational use. While thepreservation of their wild character remainsthe primary management goal, the use ofmotor vehicles may be allowed to a limitedextent. CP-3 sets forth the Department’spolicy for affording people with disabilitiesopportunities for motor vehicle use in wildforest areas.

Intensive Use classification is given to areasmanaged to provide an array of outdoorrecreational opportunities for people with amultitude of interests and abilities. Becausemost structures and improvements can easilybe reached by automobile, intensive useareas are or can be made the mostaccessible parts of the Forest Preserve. Theguidelines for management of intensive useareas provide the greatest flexibility inimproving accessibility through physicalmodifications to the land.

The need to protect the wild character of theForest Preserve lands and the difficultiespresented by their rugged terrain set limits onthe degree of physical modification that canbe undertaken to improve their accessibility. Each unit management plan will contain anassessment of accessibility that will includethe identification of accessible recreationalopportunities. Actions to improve existingopportunities and create new ones whereappropriate will also be proposed.

Improving accessibility of trails may requiresome modifications to the trail structure, i.e.,surfacing, tread width, etc, in accordance withthe proposed guidelines. In addition, trailheadsigns should present information about trailsurface type, length, average grade, averagecross slope, maximum grade and slope, trailwidth, and hazards such as rocks, ruts, androots that might be encountered on the trail. Information could also be provided in a simplepocket guide with a map showing the trail andthe locations of obstacles. Providinginformation about trail accessibility wouldallow a visitor to make an informed decisionabout their ability to use the trail. Physicalmodifications will also be made to improveaccessibility. Parking, bridge surfaces andapproaches, sanitary facilities, trails and otherparts of the built environment will bedeveloped, enhanced or improved wherenecessary to ensure accessibility. To ensure DEC’s management efforts willeffectively meet accessibility guidelines andrecommendations while conforming with the



legal and natural resource constraints thataffect the management of Forest Preservelands, DEC managers will involve experts inuniversal design and representatives of thecommunity of people with disabilities in thepreparation of unit management plans.

Temporary Revocable Permits

Temporary Revocable Permits (TRPs) will beissued by the Department pursuant to ECL§9-0105 (15), as a management tool for certainactivities which are otherwise allowed onForest Preserve lands but, because of theirnature, may have significant adverse impactson such lands unless carefully managed. Flacke v. Town of Fine, 113 Misc. 2d 56 (St.Lawrence County Supreme Court, 1982)upheld the Department’s authority to issueTRPs for activities which might result in suchimpacts, noting the Department’s custodialresponsibility over the constitutionallyprotected Forest Preserve. Furthermore, theState holds the fee of Forest Preserve landsin trust for the people of the State. Thus, theDepartment’s use of TRPs to managerecreational and administrative activities(even those activities exercised pursuant to alegal right such as an easement as discussedbelow) aid in the Department’s stewardship ofthis public trust.TRPs may be used to authorize a variety ofactivities, such as group hiking, camping,motor vehicle access on existing roads bypeople with disabilities pursuant to Policy CP-3, weddings and other group gatherings,footraces, fishing tournaments, andmaintenance of roads and utility lines. Theissuance of such TRPs will ensure that ForestPreserve lands are protected in compliancewith applicable law and that the activities willnot subsequently become the subject ofenforcement actions. TRPs will not be issuedto authorize any activity which violatesconstitutional, statutory or regulatoryprovisions.

Property which the Department managesunder the Master plan is occasionally

encumbered by easements, rights-of-way,ways of necessity, riparian rights, or otherlegal rights which pre-existed Stateacquisition. State acquisition does notextinguish these rights unless the State haseither bought them from a willing seller oracquired them by eminent domain. TheDepartment will monitor activities takenpursuant to any such encumbrances toensure that the activities stay within the scopeof activities authorized by the encumbrances,have no adverse impacts on Forest Preservelands, and do not result in environmentaldegradation. Issues involving suchencumbrances will be referred by the Divisionof Lands and Forests to the Division of LegalAffairs for legal review. Maintenance orconstruction activities related to suchencumbrances (such as gravel work, culvertreplacement, dock construction, roadwidening, ditch digging or widening, treetrimming and cutting, brush cutting, or the useof herbicides) will be managed by Departmentstaff through the issuance of TRPs.

Once issued, it is incumbent on Departmentstaff to ensure that permit holders comply withTRP terms and conditions and that nounexpected environmental degradationoccurs. Thus, Department staff willperiodically monitor activities which areauthorized by TRPs. The frequency of suchmonitoring will be commensurate with thesignificance of the activity allowed by theTRP. TRPs will be modified, suspended orrevoked where necessary to protect ForestPreserve lands or prevent environmentaldegradation. Department staff will also visitthe work site when the work authorized by theTRP has been completed to ensurecompliance with the terms of the TRP.

Natural Resource Inventory

To continue to build a foundation for soundmanagement decisions, the Department willstrive to undertake or facilitate comprehensiveinventories of plants, animals, ecologicalcommunities and other natural resources on



Forest Preserve lands. Priority will be givento the inventory of rare plant and animalspecies, significant habitats, and exemplarycommunities. DEC planners will consultrecords of the Natural Heritage Program, theBreeding Bird Atlas, the New York StateAmphibian and Reptile Atlas and otheravailable information to assemble records forForest Preserve units in unit managementplans. The results of inventory work forindividual units could be combined for use inbroad-based ecosystem managementinitiatives.

Fisheries Management

Aquatic resource management will strive toprotect and perpetuate the fish resources andhabitat supporting those resources within theCatskill Park. Aquatic resource managementin the Catskill Park will emphasize the qualityof the angling experience over quantity ofuse. Aquatic resources in wilderness andwild forest areas will be protected andmanaged so as to preserve, enhance andrestore, where necessary, their naturalconditions. Aquatic resource management,including stocking of game and nongamefishes, and pond reclamation, may benecessary to achieve and perpetuate naturalaquatic ecosystems. Pond reclamation andliming will be practiced as appropriate toprepare or maintain waters in wilderness andwild forest areas, but only for the restorationor perpetuation of indigenous fishcommunities.

Fishing in the Park, as in the rest of the State,is regulated by open seasons, size and catchlimits and manner of take as specified in 6NYCRR Part 10, as authorized by Sections11-1303 and 11-1305 of the EnvironmentalConservation Law.

Wildlife Management

Within the Forest Preserve, animals live in anatural environment relatively free of humandevelopment and disturbance. DEC’s

management of wildlife on Forest Preservelands consists of hunting and trappingregulations, the monitoring of wildlifepopulations, fostering wildlife research, andthe occasional limited intervention that mightbe undertaken to ensure the survival ofthreatened and endangered species. It doesnot include the manipulation of habitat. Somefield work (browse surveys, winter mortalitysurveys, and bear collaring and monitoring) isconducted in the Forest Preserve but littleelse is done in the way of activemanagement. The influences of naturalconditions on wildlife populations, such aspredation or seasonal changes in the foodsupply, as well as the effects of wildlifebehavior on elements of the naturalenvironment or man-made structures andimprovements, are accepted on these landswhere natural processes are allowed todetermine the course of events.

Protected wildlife species which are hunted ortrapped in the Forest Preserve are managed,in large part, solely through the seasonsetting process. Season dates for wildlifespecies are set statewide for large blocks ofland known as Wildlife Management Units. These geographic areas have distinct habitattypes and land use characteristics. Theimpact of hunting seasons on small gamespecies is generally insignificant; harvestreplaces or is compensatory to natural annualmortality which results from disease,starvation, accidents and weather relatedevents. This is especially true for large,remote blocks of land with limited access. Deer and bear are probably the only specieswhose numbers are somewhat controlled by ahunting season.

Occasionally the behavior of wildlife in theForest Preserve conflicts with the recreationalactivities of visitors. Black bears may losetheir fear of people and frequent popularcamping areas looking for food. Theconstruction activities of beaver may lead tothe flooding of trails. The management goalin dealing with conflicts between animals and



people in the Forest Preserve will be toeducate visitors that they are entering an areamanaged to minimize human influence overthe natural environment. They will beinformed about how to store food properly tokeep bears from becoming problems incamping areas. An action to remove a bearfrom an area will only be taken if the bearposes a serious threat to human safety. Ingeneral, the response to the flooding of a traildue to beaver activity will be to relocate thetrail, not remove the beaver or the beaverdam. Direct action to control beaver will onlybe undertaken if the structures orimprovements affected by beaver activity aredetermined by the department to be essentialto management of the area, and if theirrelocation would not be physically practical orcost effective.

The Forest Preserve serves an importantfunction for migrant neotropical birds. It is alarge block of undisturbed forest habitat thatprovides a stop-over spot for species thatmigrate thousands of miles between winteringgrounds in South America and breedinghabitats in the northern latitudes. Much of thecountryside is being fragmented bydevelopment; suburban sprawl is reachingfurther and further into the lands surroundingurban areas, likely causing significant,negative impacts to the traditionally rurallandscapes used by migrating birds. Isolatedlocations like the Forest Preserve, which stillmaintain their original, undisturbed character,help make it possible for these speciesdependent on large blocks of undisturbedhabitat to continue to survive.

Bird Conservation Areas

In September of 1997, §11-2001 of theEnvironmental Conservation Law of New Yorkwas established creating New York State’sBird Conservation Area Program. Theprogram is designed to safeguard andenhance bird populations and their habitatson selected state lands and waters. Alsoestablished was ECL §11-2003, creating a

Bird Conservation Area (BCA) ProgramAdvisory Committee composed ofrepresentatives from numerous conservationagencies and organizations. The Committeeadvises state agencies on the designation,management, educational research andutilization of the sites identified as part of theBCA program. An area may be designated asa BCA if it is determined to be important forone or more species. In general, a site isnominated because of its importance to largenumbers of birds, species at risk, or itsimportance as a bird research site.

In June of 1999, New York State designatedseveral Catskill peaks over 3,500 feetcontaining dense subalpine coniferousforests, as the Catskill High Peaks BirdConservation Area. The Catskill High PeaksBCA includes peaks over 3,500 feet in theWindham - Blackhead Range Wilderness, theRusk Mountain Wild Forest, the Indian HeadWilderness, the Slide Mountain Wildernessand the Hunter - West Kill Wilderness. Threecriteria were referenced in establishing theCatskill High Peaks as an important bird area:a diverse species concentration site, anindividual species concentration site, and aspecies at risk site (ECL §11-2001, [3][f], [g],and [h]). Particular bird species of interestinclude Bicknell’s Thrush and BlackpollWarbler.

The vision for the Catskill High Peaks BCA isto maintain the wild character of the areawhile facilitating recreational opportunities in amanner consistent with the conservation ofthe distinctive assemblage of bird speciesnesting in the Catskill High Peaks. There islittle known about the effects of normalrecreational use on the nesting activities ofsubalpine birds. Additional research andeducation and outreach efforts are needed.The Department has drafted a ManagementGuidance Summary to identify education andresearch needs and to outline operationalmanagement considerations (See AppendixH). Specific research needs includeconducting a detailed inventory and initiating



standardized monitoring for the area. Management considerations state thatoperational activities shall consider potentialimpacts on the BCA. For example, trailmaintenance and construction activities mayhave an adverse impact on breeding andnesting activity. Therefore, it may beappropriate to conduct these activities atother times during the year. Sensitivities andalternative management strategies will beidentified and addressed by appropriateplanning teams during the development ofindividual unit management plans.

Rare and Extirpated Species

Active management of ecosystems on ForestPreserve lands is limited by Article XIV,Section 1 of the New York State Constitution. Whenever rare plants, animals or ecologicalcommunities are found on Forest Preservelands, they will be protected from the effectsof public recreational use. For example, anew trail will not be located in the vicinity ofan endangered plant or the nesting site of athreatened bird. New structures orimprovements will not be constructed in theirvicinity. Where public use of existing trails orfacilities endangers rare plants, animals orcommunities, these trails or facilities will bemodified, relocated or closed. For example, afoot trail passing through a wetland could behardened with a rock treadway or bridgedwith log puncheon or bog bridges toencourage people to stay within the trailcorridor. An immaterial amount of tree cuttingand vegetative manipulation will be permittedwhen necessary to ensure the survival of anendangered species found on ForestPreserve lands.

Efforts will be made to restore extirpatedspecies as long as the restoration of thespecies is socially acceptable, biologicallydesirable and feasible, and the success of therestoration effort would not require themodification of the wild character of ForestPreserve lands.

Design Standards

Many different types of structures are foundon Forest Preserve lands in the Catskills. Pitprivies, lean-tos, foot, horse and snowmobilebridges, trail register boxes and bulletin boardstructures are developed and maintained onForest Preserve land for public use inwilderness and wild forest areas. In IntensiveUse areas, bath houses, pavilions, lodgesand other large structures exist or may beplanned. To create a "Forest Preserve" lookwhen installing new structures orrehabilitating old ones, it is desirable to haveconsistent design standards for all ForestPreserve facilities. Forest Preserve designstandards need to be developed. Since noformal Forest Preserve design standards existat this time, Forest Preserve planners willrefer to existing documents such as the"Interior Use Manual" and the "Adirondacklean-to plan," when designing new structuresor rehabilitating old ones. If no specificguidance is available for a structure, it will bedesigned to incorporate the use of naturalmaterials such as round wood, wood shinglesand native stone. The appearance of ForestPreserve structures will be made to conformto the natural environment through the use ofcolors such as subdued greens, browns andother "earthtones."

Trailheads - Parking Areas

Because they are the places where mostpeople leave the highway to enter ForestPreserve lands, trailheads, fishing accesssites and general access parking areas makeexcellent locations for providing visitorinformation and orientation. In turn, trailheadregisters are important for providinginformation about backcountry use to DEC. Visitors who sign in, help protect themselvesin case of emergency and leave valuablerecords of public use levels and trends.

Visitors receive their first impression of theForest Preserve area they are about toexperience from the nature and condition of



the trailhead/parking facility. For highwaytravelers, trailheads and/or parking areas areoften the only indication that they are passingthrough Forest Preserve lands. Accordingly,DEC considers the design and maintenanceof trailheads, fishing access sites and generalaccess parking areas a matter of primeimportance.

To allow visitors to readily identify the manyseparate parcels of the Forest Preserve asparts of a single entity and provide completeinformation in a consistent format, trailheaddesigns will be standardized. A limitednumber of standard designs will be developedto make necessary information available tovisitors, provide a trail register where needed,and eliminate the problems of supplementarysigns and informational clutter. To assureconsistent design standards, the duty ofcoordinating trailhead management will begiven to the area manager.

Directional and Informational Signs

Along the highways of the Catskill Park, DECsigns indicate the entrances to the park andthe locations of Forest Preserve lands, trails,and trailheads. These brown wooden signswith yellow lettering have come to symbolizethe Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Combinedwith detailed maps of the Forest Preserve,roadside signs are helpful to highwaytravelers. In addition, DEC produces andposts a great variety of signs that giveinformation about regulations,recommendations, directions and distances todestinations, and resource conditions to thosewho visit the Forest Preserve. These signsare posted at trailheads as well as interiorlocations.

To maintain a consistent look to the ForestPreserve, dimensions, materials, colors, andwording of DEC signs should bestandardized. To be sure the public will beable to easily locate Forest Preserve landsand recreational facilities, the following

guidelines will apply to the design anderection of signs:

! All roadside directional signs, trailheadidentification signs and interiorguideboards will be made of wood andwill be brown with yellow lettering.

! Informational “posters” may be madeof metal or plastic and generally willbe brown with yellow lettering,although other unobtrusive colorcombinations may be used, such asyellow or white with dark greenlettering, or white with black lettering. Posters or signs intended to drawattention to obstacles or hazardousconditions may be red and white.

! The name of the Forest Preservemanagement unit, along with itsclassification, will be given in allroadside directional signs andtrailhead identification signs.

! Standard Forest Preserve boundarysigns indicating the classification ofthe land being identified will be postedevery one-tenth mile along all highways that pass through oradjacent to Forest Preserve lands andat other strategic locations, such aspoints on trails where they pass fromprivate onto state lands.

! All signs removed through vandalismor other causes will be promptlyreplaced.

It is essential that Forest Preserve lands beclearly identified. However, it is alsoimportant that signs are used in ways that areappropriate to the wild character of the ForestPreserve. Also, so that a sign will beeffective, it should convey as muchinformation as necessary for visitors tounderstand the reasons behind the messagein a tone that will not elicit an adversarialreaction.



To protect the wild character of ForestPreserve lands, and to more effectively informthe public and manage public use, DEC signsin the Catskill Forest Preserve will adhere tothe following additional guidelines:

! Signs will carry a positive message. Rather than simply citing a regulation,a sign should explain the reasonsbehind the message.

! Managers will use the smallestnumber of signs necessary toaccomplish an informational orregulatory objective.

! Signs will be clustered on a single signpost or bulletin board placed wherethey are most likely to be seen byvisitors.

! The posting of Forest Preserve signsin wilderness and wild forest areas byall DEC divisions will be coordinatedthrough the Unit Manager.

! As a general rule, in wilderness andwild forest areas, informational signswill be posted on the periphery of amanagement unit rather than in theinterior.

Historic Sites

The New York State Historic Preservation Actof 1980 (SHPA, Article 14 of Parks,Recreation and Historic Preservation Law)and its implementing regulations (9 NYCRRParts 426, 427 and 428) created the StateRegister of Historic Places and recognizesthe National Register of Historic Places. Thestatute further obligates State agencies to actas stewards of historic properties (buildings,structures, objects and archaeological sites)under their jurisdiction, and requires thatagencies identify, evaluate and mitigateimpacts to historic properties that might beaffected by actions they undertake, fund orpermit. Each agency is required to have a

designated Historic Preservation Officer whois responsible for SHPA compliance and thestewardship of historic resources underagency control.

The Department is committed to theappropriate treatment of historic resourceswithin the Catskill Forest Preserve as well asleadership among State agencies in the careof historic properties under its jurisdiction.

The Department is also specifically chargedwith providing historic sites and serviceswithin the Catskill Park in ECL Sections 9-0109 and 41-0105.

Several historic properties within the CatskillForest Preserve are eligible for or listed in theState and National Register’s of HistoricPlaces. These include:

- Coykendall Lodge & Fish Hatchery atAlder Lake (Hardenburgh/UlsterCounty)

- Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower (Hardenburgh/Ulster County)

- Hunter Mountain Fire Tower (Hunter/Greene County)

- Red Hill Fire Tower (Denning/Ulster County)

- Tremper Mountain Fire Tower (Shandaken/Ulster County)

With the above few exceptions, no systematicinventory of historic properties has beenundertaken within the Catskill ForestPreserve. An inventory performed inimplementation of ECL Section 9-0109 wasneither systematic or comprehensive as itwas limited to literature and anecdotal data. Few prehistoric archaeological resources arerecorded within the Catskill region, primarilydue to the lack of systematic investigations.

The inventory, evaluation and development ofmitigation measures required by the StateHistoric Preservation Act will be accomplishedin the context of the development andimplementation of individual unit management



plans. Prior to the undertaking of anydevelopment of recreational, administrative orother facilities, or major rehabilitation of suchfacilities, the department will complete anynecessary surveys, inventories or otherinvestigations to assure the identification andprotection of historic and archaeologicalproperties. Unit Managers, in consultationwith the Agency Historic Preservation Officerand the Office of Parks, Recreation andHistoric Preservation will determine theappropriate treatment for historic andarchaeological resources affected by adevelopment or maintenance project.

Except as provided for in ECL Section 9-0109, the maintenance of historic properties,particularly standing structures, is consideredto be inconsistent with the wild forestcharacter of the Forest Preserve.

The Unit Manager and the UnitManagement Team

Historically, the management of ForestPreserve lands by DEC has been dividedalong the lines separating program divisions. The individual responsibilities of the Divisionsof Lands and Forests, Operations, and Fish,Wildlife and Marine have been only looselycoordinated. In addition, the jurisdiction of thestaff within each division has been delineatedby county lines rather than the boundaries ofForest Preserve management units. Makingthe Forest Preserve unit the focus ofmanagement and improving coordinationamong program divisions will benefit thepublic by giving them a single contact forinformation about the unit and making the unitmore identifiable as an entity with a consistentrecreational atmosphere. The changes willbenefit the department by allowing staff towork more cooperatively in meeting ForestPreserve management goals.

The Unit Manager

To make management of Forest Preservelands as efficient and consistent as possible,

and to facilitate communication with the publicabout Forest Preserve management, allmanagement activities within each unit will becoordinated by a Unit Manager. The UnitManager will be appointed by the appropriateregional director and typically will be theappropriate regional or supervising forester. For each unit under his or her jurisdiction, theUnit Manager will be responsible for:

! Overseeing the preparation, periodicupdate and revision, amendment, andimplementation of unit managementplans;

! Coordinating the preparation of budgetrequests;

! Assuring that the managementactivities of all DEC divisions complywith applicable laws, regulations,policies, the master plan, and unitmanagement plans;

! Coordinating trailhead managementand all department signage within theunit; and

! Fostering communication aboutmanagement activities within DEC andbetween DEC and the public.

In turn, staff from all DEC program divisionswith Forest Preserve managementresponsibilities will keep the Unit Managerinformed about planned activities, naturalresource conditions, and anything else thatwould have a bearing on Forest Preservemanagement or public communication.

The Unit Management Team

As another measure to advance the cause ofcoordinating Forest Preserve management, amanagement team will be appointed by theappropriate regional director for each ForestPreserve unit. The activities of the team willbe overseen by the Unit Manager. For each



unit, the unit management team will becomposed of:

! The Unit Manager;

! One forester;

! Staff from the Office of PublicProtection to include at least oneforest ranger, and if appropriate, anenvironmental conservation officer;

! One fisheries biologist;

! One wildlife biologist;

! The operations supervisor in whoseworking circle the unit falls; and

! One representative of the Bureau ofReal Property.

Regional and Central Office staff from theDivision of Environmental Permits will beavailable to assist the unit management teamin satisfying the requirements of the StateEnvironmental Quality Review Act. Regionaland Central Office Staff from the Division ofLegal Affairs will review the proposalscontained in unit management plans forconsistency with the New York StateConstitution, applicable statutes andregulations, and the CPSLMP. Legal Affairsstaff also will assist in the resolution of legalissues related to Forest Preservemanagement, such as the status of ForestPreserve roads.

The unit management team will beresponsible for:

! Preparing, periodically updating andrevising, amending, and implementingthe unit management plan;

! Monitoring resource conditions andpublic use and assessing theeffectiveness of the unit management

plan in addressing resource and publicuse needs;

! Preparing budget requests for the unit;and

! Communicating regularly with eachother, their program divisions, the UnitManager, and the public.

Funding and Staffing Support

The Preserve, with its great scenic,recreational, educational, and naturalresource values, is an important asset to thepeople of the Catskill region and the State. Through active management, access to thewide range of recreational opportunitiesavailable on Forest Preserve lands can beimproved for the full spectrum of ForestPreserve visitors. New efforts to linkrecreational development on the ForestPreserve with Catskill communities can givesubstantial support to local economicdevelopment. Programs to inform andeducate the public will increase publicunderstanding and appreciation of ForestPreserve resources and opportunities.

Partnerships

For many years DEC has enjoyed the supportand assistance of numerous organizations,local governments, educational institutions,and individuals whose efforts have supportedand supplemented the ability of theDepartment to meet the challenges of ForestPreserve management.

Since the early years of the Forest Preserve,outdoor clubs have assisted the state indeveloping and maintaining trails in theCatskill Forest Preserve. The efforts of theseorganizations have been critical to thedevelopment of a high quality trail system. Volunteers from the New York-New JerseyTrail Conference (NY-NJ TC) have assistedthe Department in trail maintenance for manyyears. Initial efforts were limited to



construction and maintenance of the LongPath. In 1989 the Department asked theConference to expand their trail maintenancerole in the Catskills. In 1990 the Departmentand the NY-NJ TC signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) which created avolunteer “Adopt-A-Trail” Program for theroutine maintenance of Catskill Trails. Over170 miles have since been adopted by NY-NJTC. In 1993 the MOU was expanded toinclude an Adopt-A-Lean-to Program as well. The routine maintenance of over 20 lean-tosis now undertaken by Trail Conferencevolunteers.

The Department has developed similar trailmaintenance agreements with several otherForest Preserve user groups. The FingerLakes Trail Conference has adopted over 20miles of trail which serve as a route for theFinger Lakes Trail in the Catskills. The Fatsin the Cats Bicycle Club has undertaken thedevelopment and maintenanceresponsibilities of several miles of trail in theBluestone Wild Forest under an Adopt-A-Natural Resource Agreement with theDepartment. The Paul A. Nickle MemorialTrail Crew of Mt. Tremper maintains 7.5 milesof foot trail over Panther Mountain. TheSullivan County Trails Association and theDelaware Valley Ridge Riders maintain over50 miles of snowmobile trails, and theKaaterskill Snowmobile Club maintains theRoundtop snowmobile trail in the KaaterskillWild Forest. Also, the Catskill OutdoorEducation Corporation from SUNY Delhimaintains the Huckleberry loop trail in the DryBrook Ridge Wild Forest in Delaware County. The Department and the public also benefitfrom parking lot maintenance andconstruction efforts from the Towns of Hunter,Jewett and Lexington, and from the NYSDOT. SWCDs, local federations and TroutUnlimited have assisted the Department instream restoration and fish stocking.

In 1984, the Department began contractingwith the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) toundertake major trail maintenance projects,

such as construction of natural rockstaircases, with a professional trail crew. In1987, AMC expanded their trail maintenanceefforts to include a Volunteer TrailMaintenance Program. During a typical six-week season, AMC volunteers constructedwaterbars, brushed out overgrown trails,rerouted trails with severe erosion problemsand even helped to construct new trails. In1995, after twelve successful years, the AMCdiscontinued their Catskill trail program toprovide more support for a growing programin the Delaware Water Gap.

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) beganassisting with Catskill Forest Preserve facilitymaintenance in 1992 with a modest volunteertrail maintenance crew. When funding allows,the Department has also been able to enterinto a contractual relationship with the club forprofessional trail crew services. In recentyears, the club has been able to undertakesubstantial trail maintenance and new trailconstruction projects via contract with theDepartment, made possible with funding fromthe 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.

The Catskill Forest Preserve has alsobenefitted from the volunteer efforts ofindividual chapters of the AdirondackMountain Club. For example, the Mid-HudsonChapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club hasadopted the Balsam Lake Mountain WildForest via the Department’s Adopt-A-NaturalResource Program. Through this agreement,the Chapter provided funding and volunteersto construct a new lean-to, funding to print abrochure, and volunteer efforts to maintainsome of the trails in the area. The RamapoChapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club hasprovided funding and volunteers to assist inthe construction of a new lean-to on TableMountain.

The Catskill 3500 Club has assisted in themaintenance of the Peekamoose-Table foottrail for many years, and recently undertookthe construction of a new lean-to on BalsamLake Mountain.



Information about the trails of the ForestPreserve is also provided by outside sources. Privately published trail guides and maps areessential companions of every visitor to theForest Preserve. DEC has produced some ofits own informational publications through theassistance of private companies.

Since 1997, the Catskill Center forConservation and Development and local FireTower Committees have been working withthe Department to restore and maintainhistoric fire towers on Balsam Lake Mountain,Hunter Mountain, Red Hill, Tremper Mountainand Overlook Mountain.

The Department has worked extensively withNYCDEP regarding land acquisition,recreation, and land management. Asoutlined in the history section, the Departmentand NYCDEP are working cooperatively in anew initiative to open up city-owned landsadjacent to DEC lands for hiking, hunting,fishing, and trapping without the need for thenormal NYCDEP access permit. This willprovide for enhanced and easier publicaccess to thousands of acres.

Over the years, numerous educationalinstitutions have turned to the ForestPreserve for research. With its long-termprotection as an undisturbed natural area, theForest Preserve is an ideal setting for ongoingstudies of plant and animal communities in awild state. An example is the Olive NaturalHeritage Society’s Catskill flora project. Topics in the field of forest recreation alsohave been regular subjects of study. Inaddition to basic research, colleges havecontributed to Forest Preserve managementthrough direct assistance in planning. In thefuture, educational institutions will continue toplay an important role in Forest Preserveplanning while conducting additional researchon topics ranging from the effects of acidprecipitation to the impact of the public use ofthe Forest Preserve on local economies.

DEC and its predecessor agencies have longvalued the benefits gained throughpartnerships. To continue to improve themanagement of public use and increaseunderstanding about the resources of theForest Preserve, the Department willstrengthen existing partnerships and reachout to establish new ones. The help ofindividuals, organizations, educationalinstitutions, local governments, and otherState agencies will enhance the ability of theState to realize the recreational and economicdevelopment potential of the Forest Preservewhile assuring its preservation for futuregenerations.



B. Wilderness Guidelines

Definition

A wilderness area, in contrast with thoseareas where man and his own worksdominate the landscape, is an area wherethe earth and its community of life areuntrammeled by man--where man himself is avisitor who does not remain. A wilderness isfurther defined to mean an area of State landor water having a primeval character, withoutsignificant improvements or permanenthuman habitation, which is protected andmanaged so as to preserve, and wherenecessary, enhance and restore, its naturalconditions, and which (1) generally appears tohave been affected primarily by the forces ofnature, with the imprint of man's worksubstantially unnoticeable; (2) offersoutstanding opportunities for solitude or aprimitive and unconfined type of recreation;(3) has at least ten thousand acres ofcontiguous land and water or is of sufficientsize and character as to make practicable itspreservation and use in an unimpairedcondition; and (4) may also containecological, geological or other features ofscientific, educational, scenic or historicvalue.

Basic Guidelines for WildernessManagement and Use

The primary wilderness managementguidelines will be to achieve and perpetuate anatural plant and animal community whereman's influence is not apparent.

In wilderness areas:

! Additions or expansions ofnon-conforming uses will not beallowed.

! Non-conforming uses which may existwill be phased out as rapidly as

possible on a scheduled basis to beestablished by the Department.

! New non-conforming uses will not beallowed.

! Construction of additional conformingstructures and improvements mustcomply with wilderness standards forprimitive and unconfined types ofrecreation.

! No new structures or improvements inany wilderness area will beconstructed except in conformity withfinally adopted unit managementplans. However, new temporary structures may be constructed wherenecessary to protect public health andsafety following a catastrophic event. This guideline will not preventmaintenance or rehabilitation ofconforming structures orimprovements, minor trail relocation,or the removal of non-conforminguses.

! All conforming structures andimprovements will be designed andlocated so as to blend with thesurrounding environment and torequire only minimal maintenance.

! All management, administrative actionand interior facilities in wildernessareas will be designed to emphasizethe self-sufficiency of the user toassume a high degree of responsibilityfor environmentally-sound use of suchareas and for their own health, safetyand welfare.

Wilderness Recreational Use

In wilderness, opportunities will be providedfor the kinds of recreational activities thatdepend for their full enjoyment on thecondition of solitude in an environment free ofunnatural sights and sounds. Activities that



involve the public’s use of motorized ormechanized vehicles or equipment will not bepermitted. Visitors to wilderness areas will beencouraged to minimize their impacts onphysical and ecological resources and therecreational experiences of other wildernessvisitors by traveling and camping in smallgroups. Hiking, camping, mountaineering,hunting, fishing, trapping, snowshoeing,ski-touring, nature study and other forms ofprimitive and unconfined recreation will beencouraged in wilderness as long as thedegree and intensity of such uses will notunacceptably degrade the wildernessresource.

Special Wilderness Recreational ActivityGuidelines

! Camping will not be permitted above3,500 feet in elevation from March22nd to December 21st each year toprotect the fragile high elevationenvironment. To further protectnatural resources and the quality ofthe recreational experiences forvisitors, camping will be prohibitedwithin 150 feet of trail, road and water,except at sites designated by theDepartment.

! Campfires built using dead and downwood from within the wilderness areawill be allowed as long as the buildingof campfires in a given location doesnot lead to excessive damage tovegetation or structures or impair thenatural appearance of the site. Woodbrought in from outside the area isdiscouraged, but is allowed, as longas it conforms to all DEC regulationspertaining to the movement offirewood. Movement of firewoodposes a significant risk for theintroduction of invasive species.Campfires will be prohibited on alllands above 3,500 feet in elevation.

! Groupsize. To provide opportunitiesfor solitude, users will be encouragedto pursue the above describedwilderness recreational opportunitiesin small groups, the recommendedgroup size being 4 to 6 individuals.The maximum group size allowable inwilderness will be 12 persons pergroup. The department will not issuecamping permits for groups larger than12 persons in wilderness areas.

! Fishing, hunting and trapping. Inwilderness areas, recreational fishing,hunting and trapping will beencouraged as long as the degree andintensity of use does not endanger thewilderness resource itself. Themanagement of these pursuits inwilderness areas will emphasize thequality of the experience over quantityof use. A quality wilderness sportingexperience involves more than a questfor fish and game; it is enhanced byunique natural surroundings andlimited contact with other people.

Fishing, hunting and trapping inwilderness, as in the rest of the state,are regulated by open seasons, sizeand catch limits, and manner of takeas specified in 6 NYCRR Part 10(fishing), 6 NYCRR Part 1 (hunting)and 6 NYCRR Part 5 (trapping), asauthorized by §11-1303, §11-0903,and §11-1103, respectively, of theEnvironmental Conservation Law ofNew York.

! Administrative Action. Where thedegree and intensity of permittedrecreational uses threaten thewilderness resource, appropriateadministrative and regulatorymeasures will be taken to limit suchuse to the capacity of the resource. Such administrative and regulatorymeasures may include, but need notbe limited to:



1) When a group needs a campingpermit or TRP for an activity, directingthose users to a more appropriatearea where the wilderness resource isnot threatened by overuse.

2) Where the resource degradation isextreme, the Department will study thepossibility of temporarily closing all orportions of wilderness areas to allowrehabilitative measures to occur.

An intensified educational program to improvepublic understanding of backcountry use,including an anti-litter and pack-in/pack-outcampaign, will be undertaken. Provision forsuch programs will be made in unitmanagement plans.

Wilderness Structures and Improvements

The structures and improvements listed belowconform to wilderness standards. Theirmaintenance, rehabilitation and constructionwill be permitted.

! Scattered Adirondack type lean-tosand individual designated primitivecampsites with fire rings below3,500 feet in elevation.

! Pit privies below 3,500 feet inelevation.

! Bear-proof vaults or pole and cablesystems to secure food from bears.

! Foot trails, cross-country ski trails, andhorse trails, except that no new trailswill be constructed to, or within, onehalf mile (horizontal distance) of thesummit of a trail-less peak over 3,500feet in elevation unless a trail isneeded to eliminate resourcedegradation and the trail is specified inan approved unit management plan forthe area. New horse trails will only be

developed by conversion ofappropriate abandoned roads.

! Foot trail bridges and laddersconstructed of natural materials unlessa less obtrusive structure can beconstructed using artificial materials.

! Horse trail bridges and hitching railsconstructed of natural materials,unless a less obtrusive structure canbe constructed using artificialmaterials.

! Fish habitat improvement structures.

! Trout spawning structures.

! Existing dams on establishedimpoundments, except that in thereconstruction or rehabilitation of suchdams natural materials will be usedwherever possible and no new damswill be constructed.

! Directional, information andinterpretive signs made of wood or of acharacter consistent with the ForestPreserve and in limited numbers.

! Trail markers and informationalposters made of wood, plastic, ormetal.

! Parking areas, fishing and waterwayaccess sites, picnic areas, rangerstations or other facilities forperipheral control of public use, and,in limited instances, snowmobile trailsmay be accommodated within 500 feetof a public highway.

! Minimal facilities for information, suchas nature interpretation or userinstructions, and trail registers may beconstructed at access points towilderness areas, when suchimprovements are deemed essential



and are included in the appropriateunit management plan.

! Register boxes on trail-less peaks,when such are maintained under anapproved Adopt-A-Natural Resourceagreement, as authorized by Section9-0113 of the EnvironmentalConservation Law. The continued useof register boxes will be reviewedduring the UMP process.

! Wildlife management and researchstructures shall be permittedproviding:

- Such structures are approvedby the Commissioner based ona demonstration of need forpurposes essential to thepreservation of wildernessvalues and resources, that nofeasible alternative exists, andthat such use will entailminimal intrusion into thewilderness setting;

- Such structures areconstructed solely to supportresearch, management orreintroduction of existing orreintroduced wildlife species;

- The construction shall beminimal to achieve thepurpose, and shall be locatedas much as possible awayfrom human view or presence;

- Such structures shall betemporary and shall beremoved completely when nolonger needed; if a structuremust be used longer than oneyear, reapproval, based uponjustification by theCommissioner, shall berequired annually; and

- Such structures shall not beconsidered as conformingstructures, but shall bepermitted as necessary solelyfor purposes essential to thepreservation of wildernesswildlife values and resources.

All other structures and improvements will beconsidered nonconforming and, whereexisting, will be phased out as rapidly aspossible on a scheduled basis to beestablished by the department. Theseinclude but are not limited to:

- Lean-to clusters;- Lean-tos and privies at locations

above 3,500 feet in elevation;- Horse barns;- Boat docks;- Storage sheds and other buildings;- Fire towers and observer cabins;- Telephone and electrical lines;- Snowmobile trails;- Bicycle trails;- Administrative roads;- Roads;- Helicopter platforms;- Ranger and caretaker stations; and- Mines. However, bedrock, sand,

gravel, shale, rocks, boulders, or othernaturally occurring or naturallydeposited materials removed from thesite of a conforming structure orimprovement solely for the purposesof constructing or maintaining thatstructure or improvement may be usedin the construction and maintenanceof other conforming structures orimprovements on the same or otherparcels of Forest Preserve land. Inaddition, limited amounts of sand,gravel, shale, rocks, boulders, or othernaturally deposited material neededfor use in the construction andmaintenance of a trail may be



removed from the immediate vicinity ofthat trail, and boulders needed for theconstruction of a barrier may beremoved from the immediate vicinity ofthat barrier.

Motorized Uses and Bicycles inWilderness

Public use of motor vehicles, snowmobiles,motorboats, motorized equipment, aircraft,bicycles, and other wheeled or mechanized transportation devices used for transportingpeople (for example an all terrain skateboard), will be prohibited. However, amechanized aid, such as a motorizedwheelchair, is considered part of a personwith a disability, and as such is allowed inwilderness.

Administrative personnel will not use motorvehicles, snowmobiles, motorized equipment,bicycles or aircraft for day-to-daymaintenance or patrol of state landsdesignated wilderness.

Administrative use of motorized equipment oraircraft may be permitted for maintenance,rehabilitation, construction, fish stocking orresearch projects involving conformingstructures or improvements, or the removal ofnonconforming structures, during two off-peakseasons each year. Administrative use ofaircraft shall comply with CommissionerPolicy 17. These "windows" will run from May1 - June 15 and October 15 - November 15,excepting weekends. Work that cannot bescheduled within these windows may bepermitted on the approval of theCommissioner.


Irrespective of the above guidelines, use ofmotorized equipment or aircraft, but not motorvehicles, for a specific major research projectwill be permitted by the use of a temporaryrevocable permit (TRP) if such project is forpurposes essential to the preservation of

wilderness values and resources, no feasiblealternative exists for conducting suchresearch on other state or private lands, andsuch use is minimized. The project has to bespecifically approved by the Commissioner, inaddition to the normal TRP approval process.

Irrespective of the above or any otherguidelines in this Master plan, use of motorvehicles, snowmobiles, motorized equipmentand aircraft will be permitted, by or under thesupervision of appropriate officials, in casesof actual and ongoing emergencies involvingthe protection or preservation of human life orintrinsic resource value - for example; searchand rescue operations, forest fires or largescale contamination of streams, ponds andlakes.

Roads in Wilderness

No new roads will be allowed. Existing roads(there are very few) are generally notpassable and will be phased out as rapidly aspossible on a scheduled basis to beestablished by the Department so as to:

! Close such roads to motor vehicles asare now open to the public.

! Prohibit all administrative use of suchroads by motor vehicles.

! Block such roads by logs, boulders orsimilar means other than gates.

During the phase out period:

! The use of motorized vehicles byadministrative personnel fortransportation of materials andpersonnel will be limited to theminimum required for proper interimadministration and the removal ofnon-conforming uses.

! Maintenance of such roads will becurtailed and efforts made to



encourage revegetation which willprevent erosion.

Within wilderness areas, all roadways whichare not publicly maintained will be closed. Roads so closed shall be blocked by the mosteffective means possible.

Wilderness Vistas

Recognizing that the geography and foresttypes in the Catskills either minimize orobscure natural viewpoints, man-made vistasprovide the user with exceptional panoramas. And yet while recognized for its visualaesthetics and lauded for its inspiration bypainter and poet alike, the creation and/ormaintenance of a vista in a wilderness areamust be balanced with both the philosophicalas well as physical limitations of the area.

Existing vistas may be maintained where onlyan immaterial amount of tree cutting isnecessary on an occasional basis. Thepreferred method of vista maintenance is sidetrimming of lower branches. Vistas may betemporarily obscured to allow small trees togrow high enough to permit branch trimming. Vistas to be maintained will be identified inUMPs. No new vistas may be created.

Wilderness Flora and Fauna

There will be no intentional introduction ofspecies of flora or fauna in wilderness areaswhich are not historically associated with theCatskill environment except: (i) species whichhave already been established in the Catskillenvironment or (ii) as necessary to protect theintegrity of established native flora or fauna.

Wilderness Fisheries Management

Fishery management efforts will focus onmaintaining, protecting and restoring self-sustaining communities of indigenousspecies. Actions to provide for naturalpropagation and the maintenance of desirablespecies will be conducted within ecological

limits and in accordance with soundmanagement practices.

Species

Wilderness waters will be managed forspecies indigenous to the Catskills, such asbrook trout, chain pickerel and lake trout, aswell as species that have been introducedand are historically associated with theCatskill Region. Introduced coldwaterspecies include brown trout, rainbow trout andlandlocked Atlantic salmon. Smallmouthbass, largemouth bass, and walleye arewarmwater species historically associatedwith the Catskill Region. These historicallyassociated species may be included in themanagement and stocking regime of specificwilderness waters where indigenous fishcommunities cannot be protected,maintained, or restored. Fish species otherthan indigenous species and specieshistorically associated with the Catskill areawill not be stocked in the waters of wildernessareas.

Note: At present, there is only one pondedwaterbody in wilderness: Echo Lake(12.8 acres) in the Indian HeadWilderness. It has a self-sustainingpopulation of native brook trout.

Recreational fishing is an important activity onmany wilderness waters, and the departmentrecognizes that, on some of the moresignificant waters, enhancement orrestoration measures occasionally arenecessary. Organization and DelegationMemo #93-35: Fisheries Management inWilderness, Primitive and Canoe Areas(Appendix D), affirms that “Fish managementpractices, such as fish stocking, pondreclamation, pond liming, barrier damconstruction and maintenance, and resourcesurvey and inventory, are permitted whenconducted within guidelines for wilderness,primitive and canoe area management anduse.” Policy documents and EnvironmentalImpact Statements containing specific



guidelines for these management practicesare referenced in the O & D memo.

Habitat Improvement Structures

Enhancing gamefish spawning habitatthrough use of spawning boxes or streamchannel modifications are techniques thatmay significantly improve recruitment of wildfish, and thus preclude the need for stocking. Spawning boxes are typically used within thepond itself and involve siphoning water fromadjacent spring or stream sources into gravelfilled boxes within the pond. Stream channelmodification would include adding suitablesized bed material (e.g. gravel) to adjacenttributary streams to increase availablespawning habitat. Trout spawning complexesin pond/tributary/spring systems and in-pondspawning facilities are generally unobtrusiveor completely out-of-sight. Reservoirs in pondtributaries, constructed to direct water to in-pond spawning boxes, can be built with nativematerials to weather and blend withsurroundings. These structures will be usedwhere appropriate to maximize reproductionof wild brook trout in ponds.

Other forms of habitat improvementoccasionally may be used, such as bankstabilization or creating pools. Bankstabilization provides in-stream shelter,protects habitat downstream and minimizeson-site erosion. Habitat restoration orimprovement structures will be designed toblend in with the natural setting and will utilizenative materials for construction. Suchstructures will be specifically intended toimprove conditions for indigenous or“historically associated” fish species.

Other management actions may be required. Log jams, caused by floods or high winds,may need to be removed from streams forpublic safety and protection of naturalresources.

Wilderness Wildlife Management

The guidelines for wildlife management in allareas of the Forest Preserve are given in thesection, “Guidelines for All Classifications.”

Wilderness Boundary Marking

Special wilderness area boundary markerswill be installed at major access points toenhance public recognition of wildernessboundaries and wilderness restrictions.

Designation of Wilderness Areas

Using the wilderness definition and criteriadescribed above, the Department hasdesignated five wilderness areas in theCatskill Forest Preserve. These areasencompass approximately 143,000 acres orabout 51 percent of the Forest Preservewithin the Catskill Park. Wilderness areas arelisted and described in Section VII, Description of Management Units.



C. Wild Forest Guidelines

Definition

A wild forest area is an area of ForestPreserve land whose character as a naturalplant and animal community receives thesame degree of protection under Article XIVof the Constitution as in areas classified aswilderness, but which differs from wildernessin that generally:

! The physical characteristics of wildforest areas are capable ofwithstanding higher levels ofrecreational use;

! Wild forest areas convey less of asense of remoteness and providefewer outstanding opportunities forsolitude for visitors, and therefore;

! Wild forest areas are managed toprovide opportunities for a greatervariety of recreational activities and ahigher intensity of recreational use.

Basic Guidelines for Wild ForestManagement and Use

In wild forest areas:

! No additions or expansion of existingnonconforming uses will be permittedand

! Existing nonconforming uses will bephased out as rapidly as possible bythe Department.

! No new nonconforming uses will bepermitted.

Recreational Use in Wild Forest

As in wilderness areas, the primarymanagement guideline for wild forest areaswill be to preserve the physical and biological

resources in a wild state. In addition, WildForest areas will be managed to provideopportunities for a greater variety ofrecreational activities and a higher intensity ofrecreational use than are afforded inwilderness areas. However, types and levelsof use that would degrade the wild characterof wild forest areas will not be permitted.

Whereas Wilderness areas are managed tofavor those primitive outdoor recreationalactivities where the opportunity for solitude iscritical to the experience, wild forest lands willbe managed to provide opportunities forrecreational activities that do not depend on awilderness atmosphere for their enjoyment. Activities such as snowmobiling, mountainbicycling, and group camping are consideredappropriate in wild forest areas and will beencouraged in the context of the principal ofnon-degradation stated in the previousparagraph.

No single unit should necessarily provideopportunities for all types of recreational use. Unit management plans will undertake thecareful analysis necessary for the Departmentand the public to make informed decisionsabout what recreational activities can beaccommodated in each unit.

All types of recreational uses consideredappropriate for wilderness are compatible withwild forest. In addition, regulatedsnowmobiling, motor boating, all terrainbicycling and group camping are permitted ifthose uses will not adversely affect theessentially wild character of the area.

Certain wild forest areas offer betteropportunities for a more extensive horse trailsystem than wilderness areas. Horse trailsand associated facilities in these areas will be considered where appropriate.

Fishing, hunting and trapping in wild forest willbe encouraged. However, as in wildernessareas, the management of the majority of wild



forest waters will emphasize the quality of theangling experience.

Fishing, hunting and trapping in wild forestareas, as in the rest of the state, is regulatedby open seasons, size and catch limits, andmanner of take as specified in 6 NYCRR, and by Article 11 of the EnvironmentalConservation Law of New York.

Although the nature of most Wild Forest areasindicates that they are not as sensitive torecreational over use as Wilderness areas,care must nonetheless be taken to avoid overuse. The relatively greater intensity of useallowed by the Wild Forest guidelines shouldnot be interpreted as permitting orencouraging unlimited or unrestrained use ofWild Forest areas.

As in wilderness, camping will not bepermitted above 3,500 feet in elevation fromMarch 22nd to December 21st each year toprotect the fragile, high elevationenvironment. To further protect backcountryresources, camping is also prohibited within150 feet of trail, road and water, except atsites designated by the Department. Campfires will not be permitted on landsabove 3,500 feet in elevation throughout theyear.

Because large groups have a greater impacton wild forest lands, especially whencamping, group camping permits will belimited to 20 persons or less. Should groupsof more than 20 persons wish to camp in aWild Forest area, the Department mayaccommodate such groups on a limited basiswhere natural resources will be protected andprovisions for sanitation are provided, throughthe issuance of a Temporary RevocablePermit.

Wild Forest Structures and Improvements

The following structures and improvementsare permitted.

! Individual or small groupings ofAdirondack type lean-tos andindividual campsites with fire rings,below 3,500 feet in elevation.

! Pit privies below 3,500 feet inelevation.

! Bear-proof vaults or pole and cablesystems to secure food from bears.

! Foot trails, cross-country ski trails, andnature/interpretive trails, except thatno new trails will be constructed to, orwithin one half mile (horizontaldistance) of the summit of a trail-lesspeak over 3,500 feet in elevationunless a trail is needed to eliminateresource degradation and the trail isspecified in an approved unitmanagement plan for the area.

! Bridges and ladders constructed ofnatural materials unless a lessobtrusive structure can be constructedusing artificial materials.

! Fish habitat improvement structures.

! Trout spawning structures.

! Existing dams on establishedimpoundments, except that in thereconstruction or rehabilitation of suchdams natural materials will be usedwherever possible and no new damswill be constructed.

! Directional, information andinterpretive signs made of wood, or ofa character consistent with the ForestPreserve, and in limited numbers.

! Trail markers and informationalposters made of wood, plastic ormetal.

! Minimal facilities for information, suchas nature interpretation or user



instructions, and trail registers may beconstructed when such improvementsare included in the appropriate unitmanagement plan.

! Register boxes on trail-less peaks,when such are maintained under anapproved Adopt-A-Natural Resourceagreement, as authorized by Section9-0113 of the EnvironmentalConservation Law.

! Fire towers and appurtenances. Atpresent, there are five fire towers inthe Catskill Forest Preserve:

Balsam Lake Mountain,Hunter Mountain,Overlook Mountain,Red Hill, andTremper Mountain.

These have been re-opened for publicuse and should be retained andmaintained for as long as needed forprotection of the forest resource or forrecreational, educational,informational, or historic preservationpurposes.

In 1994, a letter of resolution relatingto fire towers and their appurtenanceswas negotiated between DEC and theOffice of Parks, Recreation andHistoric Preservation pursuant to theNew York Historic Preservation Act of1980. This agreement identified fourfire towers within the Catskill ForestPreserve as being eligible for inclusionin the State and National Registers ofHistoric Places: Balsam LakeMountain, Hunter Mountain, Red Hilland Tremper Mountain. These firetowers are considered significantbecause of their association with thehistory and development of the ForestPreserve as well as the architecturaltradition they represent. Specificplans for the management and

preservation of the four fire towersdesignated as eligible for the Stateand National Registers will bedeveloped in the context of unitmanagement planning for the ForestPreserve units in which they arelocated. These should reflect naturalresource management, historicpreservation and recreational needsas well as a comprehensive approachto historic fire towers on ForestPreserve lands.

! Communication systems necessary foradministrative purposes of theDepartment of EnvironmentalConservation.

! Rustic buildings necessary foradministrative purposes below 3,500feet in elevation.

! Existing lean-tos above 3,500 feet inelevation may remain.

! Trailhead construction and relatedparking facilities adjacent to publichighways or public access lanes,including fisherman parking nearstreams.

! Cartop boat access sites adjacent topublic highways.

! Motor vehicles, motorized equipmentand aircraft as set forth below.

! Roads as set forth below.

! Snowmobile trails as set forth below.

! Horse trails as set forth below.

! Bicycle trails as set forthbelow.



Motorized Uses in Wild Forest

The use of motor vehicles by the generalpublic in Wild Forest areas will not beencouraged. However, the department willprovide opportunities for individuals withqualifying disabilities to access recreationalprograms on Wild Forest lands with motorvehicles through permits issued by thedepartment pursuant to policy CP-3. Newsnowmobile trails may be created to theextent that they do not degrade the wild forestcharacter of the unit.

When public access to and enjoyment of WildForest areas is inadequate, appropriate stepsto improve access will be taken to encouragepublic use consistent with the wild forestcharacter.

Public Use

In Wild Forest areas, the use of motorvehicles, snowmobiles, motorboats,motorized equipment and aircraft by thegeneral public will be permitted as follows:

Motor Vehicles

! On roads under the jurisdiction of theState Department of Transportation orCounty or Town Highway Departmentsthat are legally open to public motorvehicle use.

! On designated roads under thejurisdiction of the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation. Roadswill be designated for public motorvehicle use only if such designationwill provide appropriate access torecreational opportunities withoutleading to unacceptable physical,ecological, or social impacts. Thereare very few of these roads in theCatskills.

! By individuals with a qualifyingdisability in specific locations that are

not open to motor vehicle use by thegeneral public through the issuance ofa permit by the Department pursuantto policy CP-3.

Snowmobiles

! On trails designated by thedepartment in conformance with theguidelines given in “Snowmobile Trailsin Wild Forest.”

! On frozen lakes and ponds, whenaccess to them may be gained bypublic highway or by designatedsnowmobile trail.

Motorboats

! On designated lakes and ponds.1 Lakes and ponds within Wild Forestareas will be managed for the kinds ofwater-oriented recreation traditionallyassociated with the Forest Preserve,namely camping, swimming, canoeing,rowing, and fishing. The use ofwatercraft with powerful motors, suchas jet skis or boats used for waterskiing, will not be permitted. On largerponds and lakes where the use ofboats with motors would be desirableand appropriate for transportation ortrolling for fish, the following guidelineswill apply:

- To minimize noise, electricmotors will be preferred overinternal combustion engines.

- To minimize speed and wake,motors exceeding fivehorsepower generally will notbe allowed.

1 Currently, electric motors are permitted onAlder Lake, Crystal Lake and Waneta Lake.



Motorized Equipment

! Where it will not degrade the WildForest environment.

Aircraft

! Aircraft will not be allowed to touchdown anywhere on Wild Forest landsor waters.


Temporary revocable permits (TRPs) will onlyallow the use of motor vehicles on existingroads and the use of snowmobiles on existingroads and trails. See Section IV, ManagementGuidelines, for a discussion of TRPs.

Administrative Use of MotorVehicles

Motor vehicles, snowmobiles, motorboats,motorized equipment and aircraft may beused by administrative personnel wherenecessary for maintenance and constructionof conforming structures and improvements,search and rescue and fire control, and forother administrative purposes. However,such motorized uses will be minimized to theextent practicable, and will not be allowedwhen suitable non-motorized alternativesexist.

In January 2000, the department institutedCommissioner’s Policy 17: Record keepingand Reporting of Administrative Use of MotorVehicles and Aircraft in the Forest Preserve(CP-17). The stated purpose of the policy is“to recite existing guidelines and providerecord keeping and reporting requirements foradministrative use of motor vehicles on roadsnot open to public motor vehicle use and ofaircraft use on Forest Preserve lands withinthe Adirondack and Catskill Parks, with theintent of minimizing such use.”

Roads in Wild Forest

! On the lands that comprised theCatskill Forest Preserve when theoriginal master plan was adopted in1985, there will not be any increase inthe number or length of roads thatwere open to motor vehicle use by thegeneral public in 1985.

! Existing roads in newly-acquired statelands classified as wild forest may bekept open to public motor vehicle useat the discretion of the department, aslong as such use is compatible withthe wild forest character of the area.

! Existing access roads officially open tothe public may remain open for motorvehicle use, if compatible with the wildforest character of the area, at thediscretion of the Department.

! All maintenance, rehabilitation,widening, relocation and theconstruction of roads shall adhere toCP-38 Forest Preserve Roads Policystandards and procedures.

Snowmobile Trails in Wild Forest

Snowmobile trails and appurtenances will bedesigned and located in a manner which willnot adversely impact adjoining privatelandowners or the wild forest environment. Inparticular:

! Trails will not run through importantareas of ecological significance, suchas the habitats of endangeredspecies, or within one half mile(horizontal distance) of a trail-lesspeak above 3,500 feet in elevation.Snowmobile trails will not be locatedor constructed above 3,100 feet inelevation.

! To the extent possible newsnowmobile trails will be located to the



periphery of the unit. Through theUMP process existing trails will beevaluated to determine if they can alsobe relocated to the periphery of theunit.

! Appropriate opportunities to improveor expand the snowmobile trail systemmay be pursued where the existingwild forest environment will not bedegraded. Examples of suchopportunities include: (i) placingsnowmobile trails adjacent to butscreened from public highways withinthe park to aid access betweencommunities where alternative routesare not available, (ii) combiningsnowmobile and horse trails or insome instances, foot trails, providedsuch combination is safe, and (iii)creating or adding to loop trailsystems.

! The Department will work to facilitateconnections between Forest Preservesnowmobile trail networks andsnowmobile trails on other lands withinthe Catskill Park

! Appurtenances to snowmobile trailssuch as bridges will be constructed ofnatural materials, unless a lessobtrusive structure can be constructedusing artificial materials.

! Assembly/parking areas will beprovided at snowmobile trailheads.

! Existing snowmobile trails in newly-acquired state lands classified as wildforest may be kept open to publicsnowmobiling at the discretion of theDepartment, as long as such use iscompatible with the wild forestcharacter of the area.

Horse Trails in Wild Forest

Horse trails and appurtenances will bedesigned and located in a manner which willnot adversely affect the wild forestenvironment. In particular:

! Appropriate opportunities to improveand expand the horse trail system willbe pursued where the impact on thewild forest environment will beminimized, such as, (i) designatingsuitable abandoned woods roads ashorse trails, (ii) designating suitableexisting snowmobile trails as horsetrails, and (iii) occasional cutting ofnew trails to establish the desiredloops for new trails.

! New horse trails will not be developedon or within one half mile (horizontaldistance) of the summit of a trail-lesspeak over 3,500 feet in elevation.

! Appurtenances to horse trails such asbridges and hitching rails will beconstructed of natural materials,unless a less obtrusive structure canbe constructed using artificialmaterials.

! Adequate parking for vehicles withhorse trailers will be provided near thetrailhead.

Bicycle Trails in Wild Forest

Bicycle trails and appurtenances will bedesigned and located in a manner which willnot degrade the wild forest environment. Inparticular:

! Bicycle use by the general public willbe authorized on roads, state trucktrails, and old roadways, unless suchuse is deemed unsuitable as specifiedin individual unit management plans.



! Bicycle use by the general public willbe authorized on foot trails,snowmobile trails, cross country skitrails, and horse trails, unless suchuse is deemed unsuitable as specifiedin individual unit management plans. Trailhead signage will be used tonotify users that bicyclists may be onthe trail to help reduce potential userconflicts.

! Bicycle use by the general public willbe authorized on trails designated andmarked by the Department inconformance to the guidelines below.

Appropriate opportunities to develop bicycletrails will be pursued where the impact on thewild character of the area will be minimal. There are several wild forests that afford goodbicycling opportunities and the Departmentintends to investigate and pursue theseadditional opportunities. These include butare not limited to: Bluestone Wild Forest(WF), Colgate Lake WF, Elm Ridge WF,Delaware WF, Sundown WF, and WillowemocWF. In addition, the Department willinvestigate the use of bicycles on the TaylorHollow administrative access roadway withthe private landowner north of the Colonel’sChair trail, in the Rusk Mountain Wild Forest. This could allow a loop trail utilizing theSpruceton Truck Trail, the Colonel’s Chair,and Taylor Hollow, with the Hunter Fire toweras a designation.

The Department has also begun discussionswith the New York City Department ofEnvironmental Protection (NYCDEP),regarding lands they currently own in the NYCwatershed which could provide additionalbicycling opportunities. It is anticipated theDepartment will initially obtain a Land UsePermit for at least one large parcel, which willallow for its management by the Departmentand allow for bicycling. Eventually, theDepartment may obtain fee title to theseland(s), and incorporate them into the

appropriate land classification, principallyState Forests outside the Catskill Park.

These opportunities may include single usebicycle trails in addition to bicycle use onshared use trails where compatible with otherusers. New bicycle trails would be one of twodiffering designs; a hardened surface and anatural surface. Any hardened surface trailwould be limited to abandoned roads, railroadgrades, or other suitable facilities whereminimum grading or immaterial tree cuttingwould be required. The hardened surfacewould be of natural materials, i.e. crushedstone, sand or gravel, that will blend with thenatural environment but not of asphalt orconcrete. Natural surface trails mayincorporate hardening of the surface for shortdistances, as necessary, to minimize impactsto the trail.

! Bicycle trails will not be developed onor within one half mile (horizontaldistance) of the summit of a trail-lesspeak over 3,500 feet in elevation.

! Appurtenances to bicycle trails suchas bridges or ladders will beconstructed of natural materials,unless a less obtrusive structure canbe constructed using artificialmaterials.

! Assembly/parking areas will beprovided at bicycle trailheads.

Vistas in Wild Forest

Existing vistas may be maintained. Opportunities for new vistas may beconsidered at locations where only animmaterial amount of tree cutting is required. All vistas to be maintained or created must beauthorized in an approved UMP.



Flora and Fauna in Wild Forest

As in Wilderness, there will be no intentionalintroduction of species of flora or fauna in Wild Forest areas which are not historicallyassociated with the Catskill environmentexcept: (i) species which have already beenestablished in the Catskill environment or (ii)as necessary to protect the integrity ofestablished native flora or fauna.

Fisheries Management in Wild Forest

As in Wilderness areas, fishery managementefforts in Wild Forest will focus onmaintaining, protecting and restoring self-sustaining communities of indigenousspecies. Actions to provide for naturalpropagation and the maintenance of desirablespecies will be conducted within ecologicallimits and in accordance with soundmanagement practices. In a few selectedwaters, management practices as describedbelow may also be used to increase thenumbers of targeted species to enhancefishing, particularly on waters that are readilyaccessible.

Species Management

In Wild Forest areas aquatic resourcemanagement will focus on the protection andperpetuation of naturally occurring aquaticspecies and their habitats. However, inselected situations, management practiceswill include the stocking of non-native speciessuch as tiger muskellunge and grass carp.

Management Practices

Management actions that may be taken inwilderness areas, such as stocking, pondreclamation, pond liming, barrier damconstruction and resource survey andinventory, will also be permitted on wild forestwaters. Also, in some larger ponded waters,there may be a need to improve conditions forshoreline launching of smaller boats. Suitablefacilities for vehicle access and parking would

be provided as needed to complement thelaunching improvements.

Policy documents and Environmental ImpactStatements containing specific guidelines forthese management practices are referencedin O & D Memorandum #93-35: FisheryManagement in Wilderness, Primitive andCanoe Areas, see Appendix D.

Habitat Improvement Structures

The habitat improvement structures andpractices permitted in wilderness areas alsowill be permitted in wild forest areas.

Wildlife Management in Wild Forest

The guidelines for wildlife management in allareas of the Forest Preserve are given in theSection, “Guidelines for All Classifications” onpage 19.

Designation of Wild Forest Areas

Application of the wild forest definition andcriteria described above results in thedesignation under the Master plan of fourteenmanagement units encompassing over130,000 acres of wild forest land, comprisingapproximately 47 percent of the ForestPreserve within the Catskill Park. A widevariety of terrain and ecosystems arerepresented in these areas. Additionally,over 6,000 acres of detached parcels ofForest Preserve land outside the Park areclassified Wild Forest.

Wild Forest areas are listed and described inSection VII, Description of ManagementUnits.



D. Primitive Bicycle Corridor

Definition

A Primitive Bicycle Corridor is a lineararea of Forest Preserve land, adjacent toor going through, a Wilderness Area,where bicycles are permitted, but which isotherwise managed as wilderness. This isa new land classification and was notidentified in the original 1985 Master plan. The physical character of this corridor isusually an old road, often used as a foottrail, which has historic bicycling use, asallowed according to the 1985 Masterplan. The Primitive Bicycle Corridor is100 feet wide, 50 feet each side from thecenter line of an existing trail. The trailswithin the corridor have been located withdifferential GPS, and are digitally locatedon area maps. The width of this corridorwill allow for minor relocations of the trailwhen environmental conditions warrantsuch relocations. Maintenance may beminimal in nature; these trails within thecorridors will not be made “smooth” bikepaths, but substantially left in their currentcondition – often rocky and rough.However, maintenance activities forerosion control will be allowed. Inaddition, trailhead signage will be used tonotify users that bicyclists may be on thetrail to help reduce potential user conflicts.

Basic Guidelines for Primitive BicycleCorridor Management and Use

Management planning for the PrimitiveBicycle Corridors will occur in conjunctionwith the unit management plan preparedfor the wilderness area they traversethrough. A separate UMP will not bedeveloped for these corridors.

The use of aircraft and motorizedequipment, but not motor vehicles, will beallowed, utilizing the same constraints as

a Wilderness, during two off-peak seasonseach year. These “windows” will run fromMay 1 - June 15 and October 15 -November 15. Work that cannot bescheduled within these windows may bepermitted on the approval of theCommissioner.

Activities involving the use of snowmobiles,motor vehicles, and motorized equipment,except as outlined above, with theexception of mechanized aids for peoplewith disabilities, will not be permitted. Irrespective of the above guideline, the useof motor vehicles, snowmobiles, motorizedequipment and aircraft will be permitted, byor under the supervision of appropriateofficials, in cases of actual and ongoingemergencies involving the protection orpreservation of human life or intrinsicresource values.

Recreational Use in Primitive BicycleCorridor

The primary management guideline is topreserve the physical and biologicalresources in a wild state. Bicycle use hasoccurred in these Primitive Bicycle Corridorsand has not adversely affected the wildcharacter of the surrounding Wilderness.

Hiking, including hunting, fishing andtrapping, bicycling, cross country skiing, andsnowshoeing will be allowed. Currently, thetrails, except the north end of Mink Hollow,contained within these corridors are markedfoot trails, and the use of horses is notallowed, except where designated. Throughthe UMP process, the opportunity to reviewthese foot trails for horse use will beconsidered.

Camping is not allowed, unless specificallyposted for, as specified in 6 NYCRRprohibiting camping within 150 feet of a trail.



Primitive Bicycle Corridor Structures andImprovements

The following structures andimprovements are permitted.

Foot trails, cross country ski trails, andnature/interpretive trails. Trails specificallydesigned, constructed and maintained forbicycle use will not be permitted inPrimitive Bicycle Corridors. The use ofbicycles on the trails defining thesecorridors will be permitted.

Bridges and ladders constructed of naturalmaterials unless a less obtrusive structurecan be constructed using artificialmaterials.

Directional, informational and interpretivesigns made of wood, or of a characterconsistent with the Forest Preserve, andin limited numbers.

Trail makers and informational posters.

Minimal facilities for information, such asnature interpretation or user instructions,and trail registers may be constructed.

Trailhead construction and related parkingfacilities adjacent to public highways orpublic access lanes.

Designation of Primitive BicycleCorridors

Application of the primitive bicycle corridordefinition and criteria described aboveresults in the designation under theMaster plan of four management unitsencompassing approximately 156 acres ofland, comprising less than 0.1 percent ofthe Forest Preserve within the CatskillPark. A description of each PrimitiveBicycle Corridor identifying principalfeatures and facilities is contained inSection VII, Description of ManagementUnits.



E. Intensive Use AreaGuidelines

Definition

An Intensive Use Area is an area of Stateland where the department may: (1) offeropportunities for an array of outdoorrecreational activities that are appropriateto a wild forest setting, and (2) developrecreational facilities that willaccommodate relatively high densities ofvisitors while conforming in design andintensity of development with the wildcharacter of the Forest Preserve. Intensive Use Areas include campgrounds,day use areas, fishing access sites, skicenters and visitor information centers.

Basic Guidelines for Management andUse

The primary management guidelines forIntensive Use Areas will be to provide thepublic opportunities for group and familycamping, picnicking, swimming, fishing,boating, skiing and similar outdoorrecreation in a setting and on a scale inharmony with the wild and undevelopedcharacter of the Forest Preserve andCatskill Park. All intensive use facilities willbe located, designed and managed toblend with the Catskill environment and tohave the minimum adverse impact onsurrounding state lands and nearby privateholdings. Such facilities will be adjacent toor serviceable from existing public roadsystems within the Catskill Park.

Further additions to the intensive usecategory will come either from newacquisitions or the reclassification ofappropriate wild forest areas. In all casessuch additions will be subject to a sitespecific determination of significance andbe fully addressed in the appropriate unitmanagement plan. Intensive use areas willnot be expanded beyond the capacity of

the resource to withstand use. Sanitaryfacilities at intensive use areas range fromchemical vault toilets at Devil's TombstoneCampground to centralized seweragetreatment systems at the larger facilities.Solid waste is removed by departmentcrews, or by contract, and is transported tothe local sanitary landfill. The statecontributes to the maintenance of locallandfills by payment of local real propertytaxes on all Forest Preserve land and bydump use fees.

Intensive Use Area Structures andImprovements

All structures and improvements permittedunder the guidelines covering Wild ForestAreas will be allowed in Intensive UseAreas. In addition, the maintenance,rehabilitation and construction of allinfrastructure items necessary for theoperation of campgrounds, day use areas,and fishing access sites including thoselisted below will be allowed: [Note: BelleayreSki Center and its appurtenances areallowed by Constitutional Amendment andtherefore not enumerated below.]

! Beach facilities, including lifeguardchairs, floating lines and docks

! Dams and flood control structures

! Boat ramps and access piers

! Motor vehicle bridges

! Picnic tables and picnic table pads

! Fireplaces/picnic grills

! Improved cross-country ski trails

! Pavilions

! Playgrounds

! Flag poles

! Solid waste facilities

! Pay phones



! Utility lines, poles, transformers, andservice entrance

! Wastewater treatment facilities,including bath and showerbuildings, septic tanks, leach fieldsand dumping stations

! Water supply systems, includingreservoirs, pumps, stand pipes,spigots, chlorinators and aircompressors

! Fuel storage tanks and fuelpumping stations

! Mines - in intensive use areas, nonew mines may be created. Miningin intensive use areas may occur,but only in conformance with thefollowing guidelines:

- The material to be minedmay only be used for theconstruction andmaintenance of conformingstructures andimprovements that aresituated within the sameintensive use area on whichthe mine is situated; and

- The material to be minedmay be removed from anexisting, active mine. Anactive mine is defined as amine from which materialhas been removed at anytime during the ten yearsprevious to the time of aproposed mining operation;and

- The mining of the materialmay not entail thedestruction of trees to amaterial degree; and

- The amount of materialremoved from any mine maynot exceed 1,000 tons withina period of twelve successivemonths.

Mines from which all useablematerial has been removed, andmines of which no further use isanticipated will be reclaimed withintwo years of the cessation of mining. The mine site will be graded so thatno part of the area has a slopeexceeding 1:2, and vegetated with apermanent cover of native trees orgrasses.

Campgrounds

During the early 1900's, under the directionof the Conservation Commission, the firstForest Preserve campgrounds began totake shape. In its 1920 report, theCommission commented on the need toincrease campsites and trails in theAdirondack Preserve. Many small campsiteareas were being established along traveledroadways to provide overnight campingfacilities for travelers. In the words of theCommission, "It is difficult to estimate thegreat good that will be accomplished by aconsistent development of such facilities ofour Adirondack and Catskill Parks." It notedthat the Forest Preserve was the property ofall the people and that, therefore, it was theduty of the Commission to do everything itcould to make the Preserve moreaccessible and to furnish facilities so thatthe taxpayers could more fully enjoy whatthey owned. The Commission was carefulto point out that the development work wasnecessary to localize the fire hazard createdby a large number of people in the woods.

In the 1922 report, the ConservationCommission commented that because theConstitution prohibited the cutting of timber,the main value of the preserve was in itsuse by the public for health and recreation.



Again, the Commission reasoned thatdevelopment of additional campsites andtrails had been made with the chief aimtoward decreasing the fire hazard.

By 1923, use of camping areas hadincreased to the point where theCommission reported that over 100,000individuals used the sites. Heavy useprompted cries for further development andlarger campsites. It decided to concentrateon the development of large campgroundareas, complete with proper sanitaryfacilities and adequate drinking water. By1925, ten fully developed facilities hadbeen established. The public was able tomore fully enjoy the outdoor pursuits ofcamping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, hikingand mountain climbing from locationswhere rules and regulations had beenestablished by the commission "to insurethe conservation of the forests andwildlife."

Constitutional questions were firstpresented in the early twenties when thecommission brought up the subject ofconstitutional change to allow the leasingof campsites to private individuals. The"bobsled case," Association for theProtection of the Adirondacks v.MacDonald, 253 N.Y. 234 (1930) broughtconstitutionality to the forefront. Althoughthe Conservation Department lost thecase, the Court of Appeals decisionincluded dicta which can be interpreted assanctioning limited tree cutting for, amongother things, campground development. The decision stated, "The Adirondack Parkwas to be preserved, not destroyed. Therefore, all things necessary werepermitted, such as measures to preventforest fires, the repairs to roads and properinspections, or the erection andmaintenance of proper facilities for the useby the public, which did not call for theremoval of the timber to any materialdegree."

In 1932, further legal guidance came in theform of an Attorney General’s opinion. Thequestion from the Conservation Departmenthad been whether or not there was a right toimplement a service charge to personsusing public campgrounds. The opinionstated. "It was my view that theConservation Department has ampleauthority to issue permits for the use of theForest Preserve for the purposesconcerning which you (ConservationDepartment) write and to exact areasonable charge therefore; that suchpermit, in contemplation of the law, is alicense only; that it may be either written orby parol and may include such reasonablecharge."

With the advent of the Civilian ConservationCorps (CCC) in 1933, a ready resourceexisted to further expand and improve thecampground system. The CCC continuedcampground expansion and includedimprovements for water supply and sanitaryfacilities for nine years until the Corps leftthe Forest Preserve in 1942.

Several of the campgrounds within theCatskill Forest Preserve were developed,expanded or improved by the CivilianConservation Corps between 1933 and1942. Some campgrounds originally wereCCC camps which were later converted topublic campgrounds. Others weredeveloped initially as campgrounds by CCCcrews. This period of development resultedin the distinctive architectural style andappearance now associated with thestructures and landscape features of ForestPreserve campgrounds. The campgroundsassociated with this period are:

BeaverkillDevils TombstoneNorth-South LakeWoodland Valley

These facilities retain many of the buildings,landscape features and the layout of their



original designs making it likely that theyare eligible for inclusion in the State andNational Registers of Historic Places. Todate, no formal evaluation of thesignificance of these resources has beencompleted.

In 1948, following several years ofdeclining use, attendance at campgroundsclimbed to the prewar year levels and a callfor expansion started again.

The Department has frequently madeapplication for and received Land andWater Conservation Fund grant awards todevelop and improve many of thecampgrounds which come under itsmanagement responsibility. The Land andWater Conservation Fund is a federalgrant-in-aid program providing 50 percentreimbursement for the acquisition and/ordevelopment of public outdoor recreationfacilities. These grants have, in someinstances, been used in the originaldevelopment of various campsites. Inother instances, fund monies have enabledthe department to upgrade and improveexisting recreation facilities. These federalfunds have been, and continue to be, animportant component in the developmentand modernization of New York Staterecreational facilities. The National ParkService requires post-completioninspections on a periodic basis to assurethat the grant projects funded continue tobe used as specified in the grant award.

The number of recreational facilitiescontinued to increase as capital and bondact monies responded to user needs. Today, there are seven campgroundswithin the Catskill Park.

There is a need to periodically redesignand rehabilitate campground facilities,including individual campsites, to meethealth codes, to provide for currentrecreational needs of the camping publicand to protect the environment. Any

expansion or new developments will bemade through the unit managementplanning process. All new construction orreconstruction of structures will incorporatedesigns, colors and materials that arecompatible with the Forest Preserve andwhich reinforce the feeling of the campingexperience. This includes the use oftraditional stone or masonry fireplacesrather than metal fire rings, a burnt umbercolor scheme, log or waney-edged siding onstructures, and the use of natural materialswherever possible in construction. Anynewly planted trees and other landscapeplants should be native to the Catskillregion.

Evaluations of the historic significance ofpotentially significant campgrounds will beundertaken in the context of thedevelopment or revision of unitmanagement plans, as appropriate.

The Department currently offers two staffedrecreation interpretive programs in theCatskills. The Nature Recreation Programprovides organized activities at North/SouthLake and Mongaup Pond Campgrounds. The Junior Naturalist Program, an activity inwhich children from five to twelve years oldcan earn a patch by completing a journal ofinterpretive activities, is offered at mostCatskill Campgrounds. These programsenhance the recreational experience ofcampers and provide an opportunity forDepartment staff to communicate with thepublic. The recreational/interpretiveprogram will be expanded as fundingpermits.

Recreational opportunities and facilities willbe kept compatible with the managementand protection of the Forest Preserve. Department staff will consider developmentof trails which emanate from thecampgrounds where the opportunity andneed exists. These may include short loophiking trails, interpretive trails, mountainbicycle trails, and horse trails. This may



also include preparation of interpretivematerials, such as trail guides, for theidentification of features on trails. Development of new trails or facilities willbe done through the unit managementplanning process.

Ski Center

The Belleayre Ski Center is the only skicenter authorized by the State Constitutionon Forest Preserve land within the CatskillPark. A 1947 constitutional amendmentauthorized the construction of 20 miles ofski trails 20 to 80 feet wide on BelleayreMountain in Ulster County.

In 1988, Article XIV, Section 1 of the StateConstitution was amended to allow 25miles of ski trails, 30 to 200 feet wide, onthe slopes of Belleayre Mountain, providedthat no more than 2 miles shall be inexcess of 120 feet wide.

In addition to the structures andimprovements permitted in all intensive useareas, all those facilities necessary for theoperation of a ski center will be allowed,including ski chair lifts, ski lift towers,snowmaking systems, and lodges.

The Belleayre Ski Center should bemodernized to the extent physicalresources allow and within the constraintsof the amendment to Article XIV, Section 1of the State Constitution authorizing itsestablishment.

Proposed Visitor Information Center

The proposed Catskill Interpretive Centerwas designed to fulfill the twin functions ofproviding information to visitors to link theCatskill Forest Preserve to localcommunities throughout the region, andinterpreting the region’s natural andcultural resources through a variety ofeducational programs and services. Theplans for the 63-acre project on land onRoute 28 in Shandaken, Ulster County,

included a 17,000 sq. ft. building, hikingtrails, a picnic area and related amenities. Itwas estimated at the time the project wasdesigned that the facility would draw150,000 visitors annually who wouldcontribute an estimated $2 million in directand indirect expenditures to the regionaleconomy.

In 1988, the Department leased 63 acres ofland on Route 28 in the Town of Shandakenfrom the Catskill Center for Conservationand Development and the Trust for PublicLand for 99 years (renewable). The statepurchased two additional parcels totaling 52acres adjacent to the site as a buffer toprotect open space values. A contract forsite development has been completedincluding site clearing, grading, constructionof a 35 foot bridge, and construction of anaccess road. The site is now open for dayuse for the public offering self-guidedinterpretive nature trails and picnic tables.

Future progress will require identification offunding sources and innovative partnershipswith other government agencies, localgovernments and the private sector. Theremay be other future opportunities tocombine or consolidate the CatskillInterpretive Center with projects beingproposed in the surrounding area. A singlestructure that served multiple purposeswould be a cost-efficient solution to theneed for a Catskill Interpretive Center.

Day Use Areas

As with other intensive use areas, day useareas will be managed to provide the publicopportunities for picnicking, swimming,fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and similar outdoorrecreational activities in a setting compatiblewith the Catskill Park. They may includeinterpretive and/or educational facilitieswhich will orient visitors and enhance theirexperience in the Catskills.



Fishing Access Sites

The Department has acquired fee title tonumerous small properties (generally 1 to5 acres in size) within the Park, specificallyto provide access to lakes and streams forfishing. In the Catskills, they have mostoften been acquired along streams wherethe Department has acquired public fishingrights. Development can vary from theconstruction of a small parking lot for footor car-top boat access to a larger parkinglot with a launching ramp for small boats,depending on the size of the water bodyand public interest.

Recreational Use

As places that are more accessible andhighly developed than wilderness and wildforest areas, intensive use areas form animportant component of the recreationalopportunity spectrum represented by thisPlan’s classification system. Themanagement of intensive use areascomplements the management of lands ofother classifications. For instance, asareas designed to accommodate higherdensities of camping use, campgroundscan serve as bases for excursions intonearby wilderness and wild forest areasand thereby alleviate camping pressure oninterior locations less capable ofwithstanding concentrated use. However,where permitted recreational usesendanger the physical or biologicalresources of an area, appropriateadministrative and regulatory measures willbe taken to limit such use to the capacity ofthe affected resource. Measures mayinclude but need not be limited to:

! The prohibition of overnightcamping within a specified distanceof a designated intensive use areato avoid overflow camping onadjacent undeveloped state lands

! Temporarily closing all or portions ofa designated intensive use area topermit rehabilitation of the area.

Off-Season Use

Intensive Use Areas are managed primarilyfor the kinds of public recreational use thatare in demand during appropriate seasons. Campgrounds are open for camping fromlate spring through fall, and the BelleayreMountain Ski Center is open for skiingduring the winter months. Nevertheless, inmany instances demand exists for therecreational use of intensive use areasduring the “off-season” months. Forexample, currently the North/South Lakeand Mongaup Pond Campgrounds aremade available during the winter months forcross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and icefishing as well as hiking and bicycling. TheBelleayre Mountain Ski Center is the settingfor musical events in the summer, as well ashiking and bicycling.

Intensive use areas will be managed toencourage public recreational use duringoff-season periods. Off-season use will beallowed at a particular intensive use area if:

! There is sufficient demand for one ormore kinds of recreational use.

! Off-season recreational use of thearea:

- Will be safe for visitors.

- Will not have the potential forunacceptable damage to thearea’s natural resources orthe structures andimprovements existing forregular season use.

- Will be compatible with theuse and management ofsurrounding state and privatelands, including but notlimited to the constitutional



requirements for ForestPreserve lands.

Designation of Intensive Use Areas

The Intensive Use Areas include 26 fishingaccess sites, seven campgrounds, theBelleayre Mountain Day Use Area (PineHill Lake), and the Belleayre Mountain SkiCenter. These areas encompassapproximately 5,570 acres or about twopercent of the Forest Preserve within theCatskill Park.

A description of each Intensive Use Areaidentifying principal features and facilities iscontained in Section VII, Description ofManagement Units.

Future development of intensiverecreational facilities is anticipated to takeplace primarily on private lands. Demandfor developed recreation opportunities thatare not present on state lands will need tobe met through entrepreneurial venturesseeking to capitalize on the public’sexpressed desire for such opportunities.



F. Administrative AreaGuidelines

Definition

An Administrative Area is an area of Stateland within the Catskill Park under thejurisdiction of the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation, which wasacquired and is managed for other thanForest Preserve purposes.

Guidelines for Management and Use

The primary consideration in managing anadministrative area will be the purpose forwhich the area was acquired.

Facilities constructed on an administrativearea should be located, designed andmanaged to

blend with the Catskill environment and tohave a minimum adverse impact onsurrounding state lands and privateholdings.

Designation of Administrative Areas

Six Administrative Areas encompassing 824acres are listed and described inSection VII, Description of ManagementUnits. It should be noted that portions ofthe Belleayre Mountain Day Use Area (35acres) and the entire Kenneth L.WilsonCampground (546 acres), though notacquired for Forest Preserve purposes, aremanaged according to Intensive Use Areaguidelines and are included in the UMPs forthose areas.

V. Unit Management Plan Development


V. UNIT MANAGEMENTPLAN DEVELOPMENT

A two-tier system for managementplanning exists forDepartment-administered lands in thePark. The Master plan provides the policy,classifications and guidelines. UnitManagement Plans (UMPs) aremechanisms that refine and apply thecriteria in the master plan to specificconditions on the ground at a level of detailappropriate to administration andmanagement. A UMP identifies a specificland unit and provides direction for themanagement and use of the unit within theconstraints of Article XIV of the StateConstitution, the EnvironmentalConservation Law, New York Codes, Rulesand Regulations and the Catskill ParkState Land Master Plan.

The Department will develop individualUMPs for each land unit under itsjurisdiction classified in the master plan,based on a priority listing. However,Primitive Bicycle Corridors will not haveindividual UMPs developed, but theirmanagement planning will be incorporatedinto the Wilderness Area they traversethrough. UMPs will conform to theguidelines and criteria set forth in theMaster plan. Additional Division of Landsand Forests, Division of Operations, andDivision of Fish, Wildlife and Marineprogram specific standards and guidelineswill be used to develop appropriate plansections. They will be prepared as follows:

Each UMP will begin with the appointmentof a unit management team by theRegional Director of the region in which theland unit is located. The team will collectand assemble the following data:

! The location of the planning unit

! An inventory, at a level of detailappropriate to the area, of the

natural, scenic, fish and wildlife(including game and non-gamespecies) and other appropriateresources of the area as well as ananalysis of the ecological role of theunit in the context of the surroundingpublic and private lands. Theinventory will include rare plants,animals and ecological communitiesthat are known to be within theboundaries of the unit. UnitManagement Planners will seek theassistance of the New York NaturalHeritage Program in obtaininginventory information on specificForest Preserve units. When moredetailed information is neededregarding a rare plant, animal orecological community that is foundon a unit, a request for funding tocarry out a detailed study will be putinto the implementation schedule ofthe unit management plan. Information regarding the specificlocation of endangered orthreatened species will not bepublished in the UMP.

! An inventory of the historic andarchaeological resources of thearea.

! An inventory of the types and extentof actual and projected public use ofthe area;

! An assessment of the impact ofactual and projected public use onthe resources, ecosystems andpublic enjoyment of the area withparticular attention to portions of thearea threatened by overuse and,

! An assessment of the physical,biological and social carryingcapacity of the area with particularattention to portions of the areathreatened by overuse in light of itsresource limitations and itsclassification under the Master plan,



! An evaluation and plan toimplement the Limits of AcceptableChange model by employingcarrying capacity concepts as aprescription of the desired resourceand social conditions that should bemaintained to minimum standards,regardless of use.

! Relationship of the unit with thelocal community

Each unit management plan will also setforth a statement of the managementobjectives for the protection andrehabilitation of the area’s resources andecosystems and for public use of the areaconsistent with its carrying capacity. These management objectives willaddress, on a site-specific basis as may bepertinent to the area, such issues as:

! Actions to minimize adverseimpacts on the resources of thearea;

! The rehabilitation of such portionsof the area as may suffer fromoveruse or resource degradation;

! The regulation or limitation of publicuse such that the carrying capacityof the area is not exceeded and thetypes of measures necessary toachieve that objective;

! The preservation of aquatic andterrestrial habitats of the area;

! The preservation and managementof the fish and wildlife resources(including game and non-gamespecies) of the area;

! The preservation and managementof the lakes, ponds, rivers andstreams of the area, with particularattention to all proposed ordesignated wild, scenic andrecreational rivers;

! The preservation and managementof special interest areas such as thehabitats of rare, threatened orendangered species and areas withthe potential for the reintroduction ofextirpated species, and uniquegeological areas;

! The evaluation, preservation andinterpretation of historic andarchaeological resources;

! The identification of neededadditions or improvements to, andplans for providing for furtherappropriate public use of, the areaconsistent with its carrying capacity;

! The removal of such nonconforminguses as may remain; and,

! The identification of measures thatcan be taken to improve access toand enjoyment of Forest Preservelands, and associated structures andimprovements, by people withdisabilities.

Unit management plans will also addressthe administrative actions and the minimumfacilities necessary on a site-specific basis,as may be pertinent to the area to attain thestated management objectives of such area. Special consideration should be given toeffecting the protection of environmentallysensitive areas from overuse orinappropriate uses. Such areas include butare not limited to steep slopes, shallow orfragile soils, stream corridors, lake andpond shores, spring seeps, talus slopes,ridge tops, ledges, peat bogs, and rare orendangered species habitats. These areasare not capable of supporting the level ofuse that other areas can accommodate, andmanagement proposals for them shouldreflect this.

Schedules for achievement of planobjectives will be included in each unitmanagement plan. The land characteristics



and the recommended objectives for eacharea will be related to and integrated withthe characteristics and managementobjectives for adjacent public and privateland areas. General recommendations forfuture acquisition will be included asappropriate.

An initial draft of the unit management planfor each state land area includingalternative management objectives, whereappropriate, will be circulated throughoutthe department for review and comment,prior to the preparation of the final draftplan for public review.

The requirements of the StateEnvironmental Quality Review (SEQR) willbe met.

Opportunity will be made for review andcomment on the draft unit managementplans by the public and other interestedparties, and a public meeting or meetingswill be convened as appropriate for thatpurpose.

Final unit management plans will beprepared by the Department after dueconsideration of all comments andrecommendations made on the publicreview draft. The Commissioner of theDepartment will adopt each final unitmanagement plan.

Any material modification in adopted unitmanagement plans will be made followingthe procedure for original unit planpreparation.

UMPs will be reviewed and modified whennecessary and should be revised every tenyears.

VI. Master Plan Revision and Review


VI. MASTER PLANREVISION AND REVIEW

Amendments to this Plan shall be madeutilizing the same process as was used forinitial adoption of the Plan. Revisions willbe undertaken as needs dictate. Requestsfrom other state agencies, localgovernments or private citizens ororganizations for Master Plan amendmentsor revisions will be given due and fairconsideration. Such revisions may beproposed by the Department and will bethe subject of public hearings within andoutside the Park.

Even in the absence of acquisitions orchanges in land classification or guidelinesrequiring modification of this Plan, periodicreviews of the Plan will be undertaken. The Department will review the Plan whennecessary to address such issues as theclassification of recent acquisitions, modestboundary adjustments, minor technicalchanges, clarification or corrections andsimilar matters. Major reviews of the Planshould take place every ten years.

Public involvement in the process ofrevision and review will be encouraged. Appropriate publicity and sufficient noticeabout proposed changes to the MasterPlan are also necessary to permitmaximum public participation. In addition,the Department will make every effort topublish and disseminate, through print andincreasingly through electronic media,including the internet, copies of the MasterPlan and to take other measures to fostergreater public appreciation of theresources of the Catskill Park and thenature of the planning process.

VII. Descriptions of Management Units


VII. DESCRIPTIONS OFMANAGEMENT UNITS

A. Wilderness Areas

Big Indian Wilderness

(Formerly Big Indian - Beaverkill RangeWilderness Area)

This wilderness is located in the Towns ofHardenburgh, Denning and Shandaken inUlster County. It lies generally west ofOliverea and the Frost Valley Road, south ofBelleayre Ski Center, east of Seager andHardenburgh and north of Willowemoc andClaryville. The area ranges in width from 1 to5 miles, is about 19 miles long and containsapproximately 33,500 acres of land.

Elevations range from 1,500 feet in McKenleyHollow to 3,840 feet where the state boundarycrosses Doubletop Mountain. The mountainsin the northeastern portion of the area arequite rugged, while those to the south andwest are more characteristic of high hills. Water from the area flows into three NewYork City water supply reservoirs and theDelaware River Basin. Nine mountains orridges with elevations of over 3000 feet makeup the area.

Peaks

Doubletop* 3,860' Haynes 3,420'Big Indian 3,700' Spruce 3,380'Fir 3,620' Eagle 3,600'Hemlock 3,240' Balsam* 3,600'Beaver Kill Range 3,377'

* Maximum elevations given are notnecessarily located within the WildernessArea.

The forest cover is predominantly hardwoodmixtures in various associations. Spruce andfir, while present at some of the higher

elevations, are less noticeable here than inother Catskill wilderness areas.

Interior facilities consisting of foot trails andlean-tos are generally considered adequate.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 33,500 AcresRoads (non conforming) 1.4 MilesFoot Trails 29.4 MilesLean-tos 6Designated Campsites 5Parking Lots 5Public Use (visitors/year) 4,500Exterior Boundary Line 67 MilesMinimum Elevation 1,500'Maximum Elevation 3,840'

Non-conforming uses:

Motor vehicle use of Black Bear Roadfrom the wilderness boundary to FallBrook Lean-to.

A UMP for this area was completed in June of1993.

Hunter - West Kill Wilderness

(Formerly West Kill - North Dome Wilderness,Ox Clove Wild Forest, and a portion of theformer Hunter Mountain Wild Forest)

The unit generally lies within the followingboundaries: New York State Route 42 on thewest, the Shandakan Wild Forest and NYSRoute 28 to the south, and NYS Route 214 onthe east. The northern extent of the unit isCounty Route 6, and continues along a line100' parallel to, and south or east of, the edgeof Spruceton trailhead parking area and thecenterline of the Spruceton Truck Trail, to thejunction of the Colonel’s Chair Trail. Acorridor, 100 feet either side of the center lineof the Spruceton Truck Trail, from theColonel’s Chair Trail to the summit of HunterMountain, culminating in a circle 175' in radiusfrom the center of the chimney on the



observer’s cabin shall be within the RuskMountain Wild Forest.

The unit contains approximately 27,000 acresof land, and inside it’s boundaries are foundthe named mountain peaks of Balsam,Sherrill, North Dome, West Kill, Sheridan,Hunter and Southwest Hunter. HunterMountain is the second highest peak in theCatskills at 4,040 feet, and portions of it’ssummit, along with a fairly extensive area onthe summits of West Kill, North Dome andSherrill Mountains are within the Catskill HighPeaks Bird Conservation Area, and are ofspecial significance in that they providehabitat for high elevation spruce-firinhabitants such as Bicknell’s Thrush and theBlackpoll Warbler, among others.

There are currently two lean-to’s on the unit,the Diamond Notch lean-to located just off theDiamond Notch Trail, and the Devil’s AcreLean-to off of the Devil’s Path Trail.

Waters from this unit drain into Schoharie andEsopus Creeks and then into the Schoharieand Ashokan Reservoirs, which are in theNew York City water supply system.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 27,000 AcresFoot Trails 18 MilesLean-to’s 2Parking Lots 5Minimum Elevation 920'Maximum Elevation 4,040'

Indian Head Wilderness

(Formerly Plateau Mountain - Indian HeadMountain Wilderness Area)

This wilderness is located in the Town ofHunter, Greene County and the Towns ofSaugerties and Woodstock, Ulster County. Itlies generally west of the east boundary of theCatskill Park, south of Platte Clove, east ofDevil's Tombstone Campground and north of

Lake Hill and Shady. The area ranges from 1½ miles to 3½ miles in width, is eight miles longand contains approximately 16,800 acres.

Elevations range from 900 to 3840 feet and thefour major mountains in the area are visibleagainst the skyline from all directions. EchoLake, the only natural lake in a Catskillwilderness, is located in the east-centralportion of the area. Water from this easternsection flows into the Kingston and Saugertieswater supply reservoirs, while drainage fromthe central and western section flows into twoNew York City water supply reservoirs. Sixnamed mountain peaks over 3,000 feet inelevation dominate the area.

Peaks

Plateau 3,840' Indian Head 3,573'Sugarloaf 3,800' Olderbark 3,440'Twin 3,640' Plattekill 3,100'

The forest cover varies from extensive oakstands on the eastern most slopes to maturespruce-fir on top of Plateau Mountain. Anexcellent mature stand of northern hardwoodand hemlock occupies the slopes south of theSaw Kill.

Echo Lake, unique to the Catskill wilderness,is very popular for undeveloped camping. Asmall number of scattered primitive tent siteswith fire rings have been established andpublic camping is limited to their capacities.

Public access is provided by several foot trailsentering the area, including the old road fromMeads to Overlook Mountain.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 16,800 AcresRoads 6.6 MilesFoot Trails 24.1 MilesCross-country Ski Trails 5.6Lean-tos 3Designated Campsites 10Parking Lots 1Public Use (visitors/year) 8,000



Length of Boundary 33 MilesMinimum Elevation 900'Maximum Elevation 3,840'

A UMP for this area was completed inOctober of 1992.

Slide Mountain Wilderness

(Formerly Slide Mountain - Panther MountainWilderness Area)

This wilderness is located in the towns ofShandaken, Denning and Olive in UlsterCounty. It lies generally south of NYS Route28, west of West Shokan, north of thePeekamoose Road (County Route 42) andeast of the Frost Valley Road (County Route47). It surrounds the Woodland ValleyCampground and abuts the Sundown WildForest to its south. This area ranges from 1to 10 miles in width, is about 13 miles long,and contains approximately 47,500 acres ofland. The wilderness boundary is 118 mileslong.

The terrain is rugged and steep withelevations ranging from 1,100 to 4,180 feet. All water draining from the area eventuallyreaches three New York City water supplyreservoirs by way of the East and WestBranches of the Neversink River, RondoutCreek and Esopus Creek. Twelve namedmountain peaks with elevations over 3000feet exist in the area. Of these, six may stillbe considered trail-less to the extent that theyhave no marked and maintained trails.

Peaks with Trails

Slide 4,180' Peekamoose 3,843'Cornell 3,860' Wittenberg 3,780'Table 3,847' Panther 3,720'

Trail-less Peaks

Lone 3,721' Rocky 3,508'Friday 3,694' Van Wyck 3,206'Wildcat 3,340' Balsam Cap 3,623'

The forest cover consists of nearly everypossible mixture and association of hardwoodand softwood trees native to the mountainregion. While hardwoods predominate higherelevations are often covered with red spruceand balsam fir.

This area receives more public use than anyother Catskill wilderness. Superb vistas arefound on Slide, Wittenberg, Cornell, GiantLedge and Panther Mountains. Access via foottrails is available from the north, south, east andwest.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 47,500 AcresFoot Trails 35.3 MilesLean-tos 3Parking Lots 10Designated Campsites 29Public Use (visitors/year) 23,000Length of Boundary 118 MilesMinimum Elevation 1,100'Maximum Elevation 4,180'

A UMP for this area was completed in March of1987 and revised in October of 1998.

Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness

(Formerly Blackhead Range, and NorthMountain Wild Forests, and portions ofWindham High Peak, and Black Dome ValleyWild Forests)

The combination of these Wild Forest areascreates the Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness Area, which lies within the GreeneCounty towns of Cairo, Hunter, Jewett,Windham and Durham. The classification ofthese former Wild Forest areas was changed to



Wilderness because their combined areacomprises approximately 17,100 acres andcontains rugged, high elevation land thatclearly exhibits wilderness character. Thisnewly classified area has seven namedmountain peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation. They are:

Peaks

Black Dome 3,980' Windham High Pk3,520'Blackhead 3,940' Stoppel Point 3,420'Thomas Cole 3,940' Burnt Knob 3,180'Acra Point 3,100'

The unit also contains six unnamed peaksover 3,000 feet, which range from 3,040 feetto 3,540 feet in elevation. Of the five highestpeaks in the Catskills, three - Black Dome,Thomas Cole and Blackhead - are in this unit. This concentration of 13 peaks over 3,000feet, within an area of approximately 28square miles, with limited access, structuresand improvements (30 miles of maintainedfoot trails and two lean-to’s) make theWindham - Blackhead Range Unit an areawith excellent wilderness character.

A fairly extensive area of old growth forestcan be found on this unit at the higherelevations, along the ridge stretching from anarea west of Thomas Cole Mountain toBlackhead Mountain, and on Windham HighPeak. The presence of this old growth forest,with its distinctive flora and fauna, add to thewilderness character of the unit. The unit alsoincludes the headwaters of the Batavia Killand, to the south over the Blackhead Range,the headwaters of the East Kill. Both of theserivers flow into Schoharie Creek, and are anintegral part of the New York City Watershedsystem.

The western boundary of this unit shall be theeast side of the Elm Ridge Trail, Black DomeTrail leaving it within the Elm Ridge WildForest, continuing north along the drainage tothe Catskill Park boundary. The southernboundary of the unit shall be the EscarpmentTrail approximately one half mile south of

Stoppel Point to a point on the Escarpment Trailwhere it comes closest to the eastern ForestPreserve boundary. Both North Point andStoppel Point will be within the Wildernessarea. Lands to the south of the south edge ofthe Escarpment Trail in this area, will be in theKaaterskill Wild Forest.

Because the Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness surrounds the smaller Colgate LakeWild Forest Unit, and because they are linkedtogether by public use, the Unit ManagementPlans for the two units shall be contained in onedocument.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 18,0000 AcresFoot Trails 30 MilesLean-tos 2Parking Lots 1Minimum Elevation 980'Maximum Elevation 3,980'



B. Wild Forest

Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest

This unit is located in the western part of UlsterCounty in the Town of Hardenburgh. Accessis gained via a limited number of county andtown roads off NYS Routes 17 and 30. Itconsists of approximately 13,500 acres andincludes the Millbrook Ridge, several brooks, afew ponds and Alder Lake, as well as theheadwaters of the Beaverkill. The areaprovides a variety of recreational opportunities,including hiking trails, a cross-country ski trailloop in Kelly Hollow, and camping and fishingat Alder Lake. A fire tower, the oldest existingfire tower in the state, is open to the public atthe summit of Balsam Lake Mountain. The unitis also home to Coykendall Lodge, a largemansion built in the early 1900's overlookingAlder Lake and recently listed on the stateregister of historic places.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 13,500 AcresFoot Trails 16.8 MilesCross-country ski trails 5.5 MilesLean-tos 5Parking Lots 6Designated Campsites 15Fire Tower 1Public Use (visitors/year) 5,000Minimum Elevation 1,740'Maximum Elevation 3,723'

A UMP for this area was completed in June of1989, and revised in February of 1996.

Bluestone Wild Forest

(Formerly Jockey Hill - Morgan Hill WildForest)

This unit is located in the Towns of Hurley andKingston, Ulster County west of the City ofKingston. It consists of numerous individualparcels of state land totaling approximately

2,895 acres. The terrain is hilly withoutcroppings of sedimentary rock, includingseveral old bluestone quarries and OnteoraLake. The area is readily accessible vianumerous town roads.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 2,895 AcresFoot Trails 4.5 MilesBicycle Trails 4.5 MilesParking Lots 2Length of Boundary 30.2 Miles

Most of the Bluestone Wild Forest lands areforested hilltops and hillsides of oak, whitepine, and pitch pine. Scattered hemlockgroves are found in the valleys and alongstreamsides. Shallow soils are foundthroughout much of the area, and stormwaterrunoff from the area is rapid, resulting in ratherdry conditions during the summer months.

The larger streams passing through the unitare the Saw Kill River, Praymaher Brook andEnglishman’s Creek. Onteora Lake is a warmwater lake, less than 20 feet deep at it’sdeepest point. The lake is a popular icefishingdestination and is primarily known for itspanfish.

A UMP for this unit was completed in May of1997.

Colgate Lake Wild Forest

(Formerly a portion of the Black Dome ValleyWild Forest)

This unit is approximately 1,500 acres in size,1,375 acres in the contiguous area of ColgateLake, and 125 acres in 3 other parcels. It liesat the eastern end of County Route 78 in thetown of Jewett, Greene County. It wasformerly a portion of the Black Dome ValleyWild Forest. The name has been changed toidentify this unit with its most prominentfeature, Colgate Lake. The unit is bordered bythe Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness



on the north, east and south, and by privateland on the west. The boundaries of this unitencompass a 200 acre “inholding” of state landunder the jurisdiction of the State Office ofMental Retardation and DevelopmentalDisabilities (Camp Harriman) that is currentlyleased to the New York City based Associationfor the Help of Retarded Children. The unit ison a relatively flat higher elevation valley floor,with an average elevation of 2,100 feet.

There are three ample parking areas on theunit, and approximately one and a half miles offoot trail, which continues off the unit into theWindham - Blackhead Range Wilderness. Inaddition to the main access over County Route78, a currently undeveloped access pointexists on County Route 25, north of its junction with County Route 23C.

This unit is a popular attraction due to thepresence of Colgate Lake, and is an entrypoint into the Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness area. Currently (fall of 2007 andspring/summer of 2008) the dam at ColgateLake is being replaced. Because theWindham - Blackhead Range Wildernesssurrounds the Colgate Lake Wild Forest, andbecause they are linked together by way ofpublic use, the unit management plans for thetwo units shall be contained in one document.

Delaware Wild Forest

(Formerly Cherry Ridge-Campbell Mountain,and Middle Mountain-Mary Smith Hill WildForests)

This 27,800 acre unit is located in the towns ofColchester and Andes in Delaware County, inthe town of Hardenburgh, Ulster County and inthe town of Rockland, Sullivan County. It is anewly named unit which combines the former“Cherry Ridge-Campbell Mountain” and“Middle Mountain-Mary Smith Hill” WildForests. The two units were combined andrenamed primarily for administrative purposesto facilitate unit management planning. Mountainous terrain characterizes this unit,

with grades ranging from moderate to steep. At least four large ponds are found on the unit. Mud Pond and Trout Pond are in the westernend of the unit, as is Russell Brook, a scenicand intensively used camping and picnickingspot. Huggins Lake is found in the centralportion of the unit, and Big Pond is in theeastern portion of the unit. Little PondCampground adjoins the eastern portion of theunit. The unit is accessible by way of themany public roads that cross through it. Thereare approximately 33 miles of foot trails and 22miles of trails designated for snowmobile use. Ample opportunity exists for solitude and amultitude of recreational experiences on thiswild forest unit.

A UMP for the Cherry Ridge-CampbellMountain portion of this unit was completed inMarch of 1987. A UMP for the MiddleMountain portion of this unit was completed in1988.

Dry Brook Ridge Wild Forest

This 8,900 acre unit is located in the Towns ofAndes and Middletown, Delaware County andHardenburgh, Ulster County. The area ismountainous with the majority of land beingmoderate to steep in grade. Features andfacilities include the Dry Brook Ridge Trail,which starts near Margaretville and headssouth to Balsam Lake Mountain. A smallpicnic and camping area is located along theUpper Huckleberry Brook Road. Due to therugged topography of the unit, access islimited to several public roads.

A two acre area on Huckleberry Brook Road isbeing reclassified as Administrative, toaccommodate current infrastructure used bythe Office of Public Protection.

A UMP for this area was completed in 1988.



Halcott Mountain Wild Forest

This 4,760 acre unit lies on the ridge betweenthe Towns of Lexington and Halcott andincludes all the Forest Preserve within thepark’s boundary west of NYS Route 42. Themost prominent feature is 3,537 foot HalcottMountain.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 4,760 AcresLength of Boundary 20 MilesParking Lots 4Foot trails 0Lean-tos 1Minimum Elevation 1,700'Maximum Elevation 3,537'

Soils on the unit are shallow and extremelyacid, with low water capacity. Rockoutcroppings are common.The entire unit is forested, primarily withnorthern hardwoods. A small amount ofNorway spruce plantation exists, as well as astand of very large hemlock.

A unit management plan for this unit wascompleted in August 2001.

Elm Ridge Wild Forest

(Formerly a portion of Windham High PeaksWild Forest)

This 1,355 acre Wild Forest unit lies at thenorthernmost edge of the Catskill ForestPreserve in the Green County town ofWindham. It is bordered by Old Road andNYS Route 23 on the north, and the easternedge of the Elm Ridge Trail on the east,thereby putting the Elm Ridge Trail inside theWild Forest. This smaller Wild Forest unit isadjacent to the Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness to the east. It is on this unit thatthe northern end of the Escarpment Trailbegins. It then heads east for approximatelyone and one half miles before entering theWindham - Blackhead Range Wilderness.

This unit is a relatively low elevation one,where elevations range from 1,700 feet at NYSRoute 23 to approximately 2,400 feet on ElmRidge. There are two parking areas that servethe unit, one on NYS 23 to the north and theother at the end of Peck Road at the south endof the unit. There are roughly two and one halfmiles of foot trails on the unit, consisting of aportion of the Escarpment Trail mentionedabove, and the 1.1 mile Elm Ridge Trail. There are opportunities for increased bicycleuse within this unit. This unit includes a“detached” parcel of Forest Preserve landlocated to the west of County Route 296 andeast of Cave Mountain.

Kaaterskill Wild Forest

This 8,550 acre unit is bounded on the northby the Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness at the Escarpment Trail, and on thesouth by Platte Clove Road (County Route 16). The southern portion of the North MountainWild Forest has been incorporated into thisunit, causing the unit to now surround theNorth-South Lake Campground. The largestportion of the unit lies within the town ofHunter, with smaller portions in the towns ofCairo and Catskill (all within Greene County). A small portion of the unit lies in the UlsterCounty town of Saugerties. The area is highlyscenic and extrmely rugged. Elevation rangesfrom 900 feet in Palenville to 3,655 feet at thesummit of Kaaterskill High Peak over adistance of two miles. The south end of the Escarpment Trail lies within this unit andcontinues north into the Windham - BlackheadRange Wilderness. This unit receives heavyuse from both backpackers and hikers of theEscarpment Trail and from day users andcampers coming from North-South Lake. Vistas of the Catskill Mountains and theHudson Valley are numerous and exceptionalfrom the Escarpment Trail. The Long Pathenters the southern end of the unit from PlatteClove Road (County Route 16) and proceedsnorth until it coincides with the EscarpmentTrail. The Long Path leaves the unit in thenorth, at the boundary of the Windham -



Blackhead Range Wilderness. Anapproximately 12.5 mile looped snowmobiletrail is present on the unit, and is situatedbelow Kaaterskill High Peak and RoundtopMountains.

Kaaterskill Falls is an accessible attraction onthe unit and is heavily visited. Steep slopesand cliffs, combined with high use by hikersand heavy runoff events, cause trail erosionwhich requires continuing annual maintenance.

The proximity of this unit to the heavily visitedNorth-South Lake Campground, causes thetrails on the unit to be heavily used. Heavyuse on marked trails, and the development of“herd paths” in many areas, have createdchallenges to trail maintenance on the unit. Extensive trail maintenance, trail re-routes, etc.have been done over the years to correctproblems and control erosion. These types ofactivities will, no doubt, have to continue intothe future, and should be addressed in futureUnit Management Plans for this unit.

A UMP for this area was completed in Marchof 1987.

Overlook Mountain Wild Forest

This 590 acre unit is located in the Town ofWoodstock, Ulster County. A parking lot onMeads Mountain Road, north of the village ofWoodstock, provides access from the south. Access from the north is by hiking trail from theIndian Head Wilderness Area. The area ismountainous. Superb vistas exist in alldirections from the summit of OverlookMountain from and near the fire tower.

Soils on the unit are boulder-strewn, full of rockoutcroppings, and range from 2 to 32 inches indepth. Water is held only briefly by the soil,and ponded water drains rapidly.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 590 AcresExterior Boundary 2.7 MilesParking Lots 1Fire tower 1Foot trails 2.4 milesMaximum Elevation 3,140'

A UMP for this area was completed in May of1999.

Phoenicia - Mt. Tobias Wild Forest

This unit is located in the Town of Hunter,Greene County and the Towns of Shandakenand Woodstock, Ulster County. It consists offive parcels totaling approximately 7,315 acres,including Mt Tremper, Mt Tobias, CarlMountain and Torrens Hook. The closestmain roads are New York State Routes 28,212 and 214. The lands are near the hamletsof Phoenicia, Mt. Tremper, Willow andLanesville. The topography ranges from hillyto mountainous. The Tremper Mountain firetower, now over 80 years old, is a point ofinterest for hikers and is open to the public.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 7,315 AcresFoot Trails 11 MilesLean-tos 2Parking Lots 1Designated Campsites 0Fire Tower 1Minimum Elevation 780'Maximum Elevation 3,000'

A UMP for this area was completed in Marchof 1994.



Rusk Mountain Wild Forest

(Formerly a portion of Hunter Mountain WildForest)

This unit is a portion (west end) of what wasoriginally the Hunter Mountain Wild Forest. Itis approximately 3,900 acres in size andextends from the east side of the SprucetonTruck Trail on the east, westward along a ridgeof land which includes Rusk and Evergreenmountains, and Pine Island and PacksaddleMountains. There are currently no trails withinthis unit other than the Spruceton Truck Trailand the Colonel’s Chair Trail on the unit’seastern boundary, and access is limited. TheSpruceton Truck Trail is the primary access tothis unit. From the Truck Trail’s junction withthe Colonel’s Chair Trail, the unit narrows to a200 foot wide corridor (100 feet either side ofthe Truck Trail’s center line) extending to thesummit of Hunter Mountain, culminating in acircle 175' in radius from the center of thechimney on the observer’s cabin.

Michael Kudish, in his book; The CatskillForest - A History, characterizes the ridge thatruns east - west in this unit as, “... ridgehardwood - spruce fir on Rusk Mountain, butnorthern hardwoods on the remaining peaks tothe west: Evergreen, Pine Island, andPacksaddle. First growth clothes the highelevations on Rusk and Evergreen Mountains,with a small tract on Packsaddle.”

The summit of Hunter Mountain is home to therecently refurbished fire tower and observerscabin. The Hunter Mountain fire tower is thehighest in elevation in the state of New York,and is a 70 foot Aeromotor Company steelstructure. The tower was erected in 1917, andis currently open to the public. A 360 degreepanoramic view of the Catskills can be seenfrom the tower. The Hunter Mountain firetower, along with the observers cabin and theSpruceton Truck Trail, are on the State andNational Registers of Historic Places.

A UMP for the Hunter Mountain Wild Forestwas completed in November of 1995.

Shandaken Wild Forest

(Formerly Shandaken - Pine Hill and PeckHollow Wild Forests)

This unit is located in the Town of Shandaken,Ulster County and the Town of Lexington,Greene County. It consists of four (4) parcelstotaling approximately 5,376 acres of ForestPreserve. The largest parcel, encompassingRochester Hollow, Seneca Hollow and thesouthern slopes of Rose Mountain, istraversed, in part, by a wood road now closedto motor vehicle use. The Departmentmaintains a parking lot at the southern end ofthis road, on Matyas Road in Big Indian.

The Peck Hollow parcel includes all ForestPreserve lands east of New York State Route42, north of New York State Route 28 andwest of Broadstreet Hollow Road in UlsterCounty, as well as lands at the north end ofPeck Hollow which provide access to a privateinholding on the southern slopes of MountSherill in Greene County. It directly abuts theWest Kill Mountain Wilderness to the north. The Peck Hollow Wild Forest was combinedwith the Shandaken-Pine Hill Wild Forest forease of administration.

The Allaben parcel is a small parcel along thenorth side of New York State Route 28 whichalso directly abuts the West Kill MountainWilderness. It encompasses an area whoseprevious owner had planned a modest housingdevelopment. A road accessing the area anda small pond were constructed before the statepurchased most of the development. One lotremains in private ownership. The last parcel islocated at the end of Lower Birch Creek Roadin Pine Hill, and borders Upper Birch CreekRoad to the north. This parcel, locally knownas the estate of Dr. Otto Reisser, has an oldfarmhouse and barn, along with severaloutbuildings, that are currently being utilized bytrail crews for equipment and material storage.



Area statistics:

Approximate Area 5,375 AcresExterior Boundary 32.3 MilesFoot Trails 0 MilesParking Lots 4Designated Campsites 10Ponded waters 2Historical Markers 1Minimum Elevation 900'Maximum Elevation 2,900'

A UMP for this area was completed June of2005.

Sundown Wild Forest

(Formerly the Claryville - Sundown Sholam,and Peekamoose Valley Wild Forests)

This unit is located in the Town of Neversink,Sullivan County and the Towns of Denning,Wawarsing, Rochester and Olive, UlsterCounty. This wild forest consists of severalparcels of separated Forest Preserve landstotaling approximately 29,500 acres. Access isvia numerous county and town roads. Thetopography ranges from hilly to mountainousand includes Red Hill, Denman Mountain, andAshokan High Point. A fire tower is located ontop of Red Hill, providing a 360 degree view ofthe surrounding area. Numerous streamsincluding the Vernooy Kill and the RondoutCreek flow through the area. The adjoiningPeekamoose Valley Wild Forest has beenadded to this unit for ease of administration.

Area statistics:

Approximate Area 30,500 AcresFoot Trails 11 MilesSnowmobile Trails 18 MilesLean-tos 0Parking Lots 11Designated Campsites 60Fire Tower 1 @ Red HillMaximum Elevation 3,080'Exterior Boundary Lines 129 miles

A UMP for this area was completed in April of1996. A UMP for the Peekamoose Valleyportion of this unit was completed in 1990. With the acquisition of nearly 5,000 acres ofthe former Lundy Estate adjacent to this unit in2002, the Department initiated a revision of the1996 UMP in 2003. The revision will add thatportion of the Lundy Estate in the Catskill Parkto the Sundown Wild Forest. The landsoutside the Park will comprise the newlycreated Vernooy Kill State Forest, a 3,700 acrereforestation area. The revised UMP willinclude both management units.

Willowemoc Wild Forest

(Formerly the Willowemoc - Long Pond WildForest)

This 15,900-acre unit is located in the Townsof Neversink and Rockland, Sullivan County,and the Towns of Denning and Hardenburgh,Ulster County. The topography is generallyless mountainous here than it is in other partsof the region and encompasses several smallponds, including Waneta Lake. It includesseveral tributaries, as well as the headwatersof the Willowemoc Creek, an important troutfishery in the region. The area offers a varietyof recreational facilities including 29 miles ofsnowmobile trail suitable for horse andmountain bicycle use as well, 26 miles ofhiking/cross-country ski trails and a leanto atLong Pond.



Area statistics:

Approximate Area 15,900 AcresFoot Trails 15 MilesSnowmobile Trails 33 MilesLean-tos 2Parking Lots 7Designated Campsites 12Ponded waters 4Maximum Elevation 3,100'

A UMP for this area was completed in Octoberof 1991, and amendments were approved inMarch of 2001 and April of 2006.

Detached Parcels

In addition to the Forest Preserve lands insidethe blue line of the Catskill Park, manydetached parcels of Forest Preserve land lieoutside the blue line in Sullivan, Ulster, Greeneand Delaware Counties.

These lands will be classified and managed aswild forest lands, until such time as a unitmanagement plan is developed, in which casea reclassification could be proposed via theUMP process.

DEC will identify, inventory, and prepare unitmanagement plans for detached parcelsoutside the blue line upon completion of allUMPs in the Catskill Park. While some large,unique or significant parcels may require anindividual UMP, most will be combined on acounty or multi-town basis. Parcels under 100acres may be identified for disposal, transfer,or rededication as provided by Article XIV,Section 3 of the State Constitution and thelaws of the State of New York. Such parcelswill be segregated and action proposed on aparcel by parcel basis.

Crystal Lake Wild Forest

Crystal Lake Wild Forest is a detached parcelcomprising 497 acres in the Town ofFreemont, Sullivan County. It includes CrystalLake, a 32-acre, man-made lake, which issurrounded by rolling hills that are forestedwith second growth northern hardwoods. Elevations range from 1450 to 1980 feet abovesea level. Unlike most detached parcels,Crystal Lake Wild Forest was acquired in 1963with money from the 1960 Park andRecreation Bond Act. Due to the area’spopularity, a UMP was completed for this areain 1987 and revised in 1993. Crystal Lakesupports a unique and high quality brook troutfishery. It is easily accessible from TennanahLake Road, with a parking lot close enough tothe lake to allow cartop boats. Only electricmotors are allowed.



Table 4 provides a summary of the approximate acreage of detached parcels, in Catskill ForestPreserve counties.

TABLE 4. DETACHED PARCELS

COUNTY

NUMBEROF

PARCELS 0-10

ACRESTOTALACRES

NUMBEROF

PARCELS 10-100ACRES

TOTALACRES

NUMBEROF

PARCELS100+

ACRESTOTALACRES

Delaware --- --- 10 744.13 9 2946±Greene 5 9.25 9 363.00 3 695±Sullivan 10 5.78 4 237.00 5 623±Ulster 106 261.62 26 578.03 2 273±

TOTAL 121 276.65 49 1922.16 19 4537±GRAND TOTAL 6,736 ± Acres

C. Primitive Bicycle Corridors

Mink Hollow Primitive Bicycle Corridor

The Mink Hollow Bicycle Corridor is located inthe Town of Hunter Greene County, with avery small portion in the Town of Woodstock,Ulster County. The corridor is approximately3 miles long and 100 feet wide, encompassingabout 36 acres. It goes through the IndianHead Wilderness. This corridor is the middlesection of a historic town road connecting theElka Park region of Greene County with StateRoute 212 in the Lake Hill area west ofWoodstock. The north and south ends ofMink Hollow road are active, maintained townroads. The corridor follows the Mink HollowFoot Trail, from its intersection with the DevilsPath south which is the abandoned portion ofthe old road through Forest Preserve lands. North of this intersection it follows theabandoned town road bed to the snowplowturn around on Mink Hollow Road. Themanagement planning for this corridor will beincluded in the Indian Head Wilderness UMP.

The Mink Hollow lean-to is located within thecorridor. There is a parking lot at the southend of the corridor.

Diamond Notch Primitive Bicycle Corridor

The Diamond Notch Primitive Bicycle Corridortraverses the Hunter - West Kill Wilderness. Itis located in the Town of Hunter, GreeneCounty and is about 3 miles long and 100 feetwide. It is approximately 36 acres. TheDiamond Notch Foot Trail is located within thecorridor and from the south connects theDiamond Notch Road in Lanesville to theSpruceton Road to the north. The portion ofthis foot trail on Forest Preserve is anabandoned town road. The managementplanning for this corridor will be contained inthe Hunter - West Kill Wilderness UMP.

The Diamond Notch lean-to is located withinthe corridor. There is parking at both the northand south terminus of the trail.

Dutcher Notch/Colgate Lake PrimitiveBicycle Corridor

This Primitive Bicycle Corridor is located in theTowns of Cairo and Jewett, Greene County. The corridor is about 2.4 miles long and 100feet wide, covering approximately 29 acres. Itis bounded on the west by the Colgate LakeWild Forest and traverses through the



Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness. The foot trail is an old road that continues fromthe end of town maintenance on the east atStorks Nest Road and continues to theColgate Lake Trail on the west to itsintersection with the wild forest. TheDepartment has a right-of-way from the end ofStorks Nest Road to the State land and thebeginning of the corridor. The managementplanning for this corridor will be contained inthe Windham - Blackhead Range WildernessUMP.

The corridor intersects the Escarpment FootTrail where the Dutcher Notch Foot Trailmeets the Colgate Lake Foot Trail. There areno other facilities within the corridor.

Overlook Turnpike Primitive BicycleCorridor

This Primitive Bicycle Corridor is located in theTown of Woodstock, Ulster County and theTown of Hunter, Greene County. There ishistoric bicycle use of this corridor and theDepartment recently entered into anagreement with the Town of Hunter tomaintain an extension of Prediger Road until itmeets Forest Preserve lands to allow motorvehicles to access a new 25 car parking lot onForest Preserve lands, thus allowing forbicycle use.

The corridor is about 4.5 miles long and 100feet wide, covering about 55 acres. It isbounded on the south by Overlook MountainWild Forest and traverses through the IndianHead Wilderness Area. The Overlook Trailwithin the corridor follows the old OverlookTurnpike from Overlook Mountain across theeastern slopes of Plattekill Mountain toPrediger Road.

The management planning for this corridorwill be contained in the IndianHeadWilderness UMP. The new parking lot at theend of Prediger road, and Devils Kitchen lean-to are located within the corridor.

D. Intensive Use Areas

Campgrounds:

The Department currently operates sevencampgrounds with 738 camping sites withinthe Catskill Forest Preserve, as described inTable 5 below.



TABLE 5. CAMPGROUND STATISTICS

Campground(Town, County)

Numberof Sites

CampingCapacity

PicnicCapacity

Beach(LinearFt)

BoatLaunch-ing*

Area(Acre)

Beaverkill(Rockland,Sullivan)

109 654 300 --- --- 242

Devil's Tombstone(Hunter, Greene)

24 144 276 --- --- 80

Kenneth Wilson(Woodstock,Ulster)

76 456 150 300 Yes 546

Little Pond(Andes, Delaware)

75 450 200 290 Yes 466

Mongaup Pond(Rockland,Sullivan)

163 978 450 150 Yes 680

North-South Lake(Hunter, Greene)

219 1314 3,591 640 Yes 1,100

Woodland Valley(Shandaken,Ulster)

72 432 60 --- --- 170

TOTALS 738 4,428 5,087 1,480 4 3,284Note: * Launching facilities are for small boats without motors.

Fishing Access Sites (26)

Esopus Creek 5Woodland Valley Stream 2Beaverkill 5Willowemoc Creek 10Mongaup Creek 2East Branch Delaware River 1Schoharie Creek 1

Ski Center

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is the onlyski center on Forest Preserve land in theCatskill Park. The Center encompassesapproximately 2,211 acres on the northand east slopes of Belleayre Mountain inthe Town of Shandaken, Ulster County.Constitutional provisions allow for theconstruction and maintenance of not morethan 25 miles of ski trails 30 to 200 feetwide, together with appurtenances thereto. A UMP for this area was completed in1985 and revised in 1998. During the 2002-2003 ski season theCenter experienced over 175,000 skierdays.



Day Use Area

The Belleayre Mountain Day Use Area is a38-acre property which encompasses PineHill Lake, a 6-acre artificial lakeconstructed for water supply to BelleayreMountain Ski Center for snowmakingpurposes in 1988. The property has sincebeen developed to provide opportunitiesfor picnicking, swimming and fishing. Anaddendum to the UMP for the BelleayreSki Center covering this area wascompleted in 1990.

Visitor Information Center

A visitor information center is proposed tobe built on land leased by DEC alongState Route 28, near Boiceville, in theTown of Shandaken, Ulster County. Thiscenter will provide visitors with interpretiveinformation on the various naturalresources and points of interest in thepark, both state and private. A small 37.4-acre parcel adjacent to the VIC site andthe Esopus Creek is classified intensiveuse to support this facility.

Establishment of a permanent InformationCenter must be a combined effort by stateand local government agencies andprivate organizations. Renewed planningefforts have recently begun on the designof the VIC, with the anticipation it will beestablished in the next few years.



E. Administrative Areas

Vinegar Hill Wildlife Management Area The Vinegar Hill Wildlife Management Area inthe Town of Lexington, Greene County, wasgifted to the Department piecemeal during theyears l969 through l973, for the expresspurpose of establishing a wildlife refuge. Itcontains approximately 400 acres and ismanaged for wildlife and limited recreationaluse, including hiking and cross-country skiing. Hunting and trapping are prohibited.

Catskill Fish Hatchery

The hatchery property totals 395 acres and islocated near the Village of DeBruce, in theTown of Rockland, Sullivan County. It waspurchased in two acquisitions in 1946 and1949 specifically as a site for theestablishment of a fish hatchery. Thehatchery now produces an average of 120,000pounds of brown and brook trout yearly forstocking the waters of New York State. Thehatchery is regularly toured by groups ofschool children and attracts an estimated5,000 visitors each summer.

The DeBruce Conservation Education Camp,located on the hatchery property,accommodates 50 youths per week for eightweeks during July and August of each year. This highly successful program has been inoperation at the DeBruce site since 1948.Also located on the hatchery property is aregional operations sub-headquarters. Theoperations unit is responsible for vehicle,equipment, campground, building and roadmaintenance in addition to new constructionand related duties.

Simpson Ski Slope

This ski slope is part of the old Simpson SkiCenter located about ½ mile from the Villageof Phoenicia on the road to Woodland Valley.

The area consists of 6.94 acres that weregiven to the state for park purposes.

Esopus Creek Fish and WildlifeManagement Parcel

A 14-acre parcel bordering the Esopus Creekin the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County,southwest of Phoenicia, was gifted to thedepartment in 1992. It was acquired underSubdivision 2 of Section 11-2103 ofEnvironmental Conservation Law which allowsthe Department to acquire real property by giftfor fish and wildlife management purposes.

Huckleberry Brook Administrative Area

(Formerly a portion of Dry Brook Ridge -Huckleberry Brook Wild Forest)

A two acre portion of the Dry Brook RidgeWild Forest is being reclassified asAdministrative to accommodate the presenceof buildings used by the Office of PublicProtection.

Lower Birch Creek Administrative Area

This 5.8 acre area, surrounded by theShandaken Wild Forest at the end of LowerBirch Creek Road in the Town of Shandaken,Ulster County, includes a farm house andassociated out buildings and grounds,including two small ponds. It functions as atrail maintenance support facility.

VIII. Actions Necessary to Implement the CPSLMP


VIII. ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE CPSLMP

ACTION HOW TO ACCOMPLISH

1. Improve access to the ForestPreserve

Through the UMP process, develop “familytrails” in appropriate locations. Evaluateexisting trails and provide universal accessinformation. Make some trails and facilitiesaccessible for people with disabilities. Regional staff.

2. Promulgate a regulation prohibitingthe use of bicycles in wildernessareas.

Central Office staff develop and adopt.

GOAL: Complete by June 2009

3. Promulgate a regulation prohibitingthe use of motorized equipment inwilderness.

Central Office staff develop and adopt.

GOAL: Complete by June 2009

4. Abandon and close roads inwilderness to motor vehicles andblock with an effective barrier.

Commissioner to order the abandonment ofTown highways passing through landswholly owned by the State and identified inUMPs via Section 212 of the Highway Law. Barriers to be erected by regional staff.

GOAL: Close wilderness roads to motorvehicles by December 2009

5. Strengthen existing partnerships, reachout to establish new ones.

Regional and Central Office staff to “reachout” by seeking public involvement inimplementing UMPs, the Public AccessPlan and other initiatives.

6. Increase funding for Forest PreserveManagement.

Provide an accurate assessment of fundingneeds in UMPs; work with organizationsand individuals concerned about the ForestPreserve. Regional and Central Office staff.

7. Develop design standards for ForestPreserve structures and improvements.

Form a committee of DEC regional andCentral Office staff. Provide opportunitiesfor public input, especially user groups.

GOAL: Complete by December 2009


APPENDICES


APPENDIX A: ARTICLE XIV OF THE NEW YORK STATECONSTITUTION

Section 1. The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forestpreserve as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not beleased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall thetimber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed . . .

Nothing herein contained shall prevent the state from constructing, completing and maintainingany highway heretofore specifically authorized by constitutional amendment, . . .

. . . nor from constructing and maintaining not more than twenty-five miles of ski trails thirty totwo hundred feet wide, together with appurtenances thereto, provided that no more than twomiles of such trails shall be in excess of one hundred twenty feet wide, on the slopes ofBelleayre Mountain in Ulster and Delaware counties . . .

. . . nor from relocating, reconstructing and maintaining a total of not more than fifty miles ofexisting state highways for the purpose of eliminating the hazards of dangerous curves andgrades, provided a total of no more than four hundred acres of forest preserve land shall beused for such purpose and that no single relocated portion of any highway shall exceed onemile in length . . .

Section 3(2). As to any other lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constitutingthe forest preserve referred to in section one of this article, but outside the Adirondack andCatskill parks as now fixed by law, and consisting in any case of not more than one hundredcontiguous acres entirely separated from any other portion of the forest preserve, thelegislature may by appropriate legislation, notwithstanding the provisions of section one of thisarticle, authorize: (a) the dedication thereof for the practice of forest or wildlife conservation; or(b) the use thereof for public recreational or other state purposes or the sale, exchange orother disposition thereof; provided, however, that all moneys derived from the sale or otherdisposition of any of such lands shall be paid into a special fund of the treasury and beexpended only for the acquisition of additional lands for such forest preserve within either suchAdirondack or Catskill park.


APPENDIX B: GENERAL DEFINITIONS

As used in this plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aircraft - a device for transporting personnel or material that travels through the air and ispropelled by a non-living power source contained on or within the device.

All Terrain Bicycle - a non-motorized bicycle designed or used for cross-country travel onunimproved roads or trails.

Bike or Bicycle - a device having two wheels one behind the other, with a seat, handles andpedals for propulsion by human muscle power.

Campground - a concentrated, developed camping area with controlled access, which isdesigned to accommodate a significant number of overnight visitors and may incorporateassociated day use facilities such as picnicking.

Camping - the erecting of a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material, preparing a sleepbag or other bedding material for use, parking of a motor vehicle, motor home or trailer, ormooring of a vessel for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.

Campsite - a specific location where an individual tent, trailer or other vehicle suitable forovernight accommodation may be set up. Included are individual sites within a campgroundand sites found at various locations within Wilderness and Wild Forest areas. Within acampground every campsite is specifically designated, and consists of a clearing which maycontain a fireplace, a picnic table, and an accommodation for parking a motor vehicle. Occupancy of a campground campsite is limited to six individuals, unless designed anddesignated for group use. Within Wild Forest and Wilderness areas, a campsite may or maynot be designated, and consists of a small clearing that may contain a fire ring. Campsites inWild Forest may be large enough to accommodate 20 people, where as in Wilderness acampsite may only accommodate 12 people.

Cross-Country Ski Trail - a marked and maintained path or way for cross-country ski orsnowshoe travel, which has the same dimensions and character and may also serve as a foottrail, designed to provide reasonable access in a manner causing the least effect on thesurrounding environment, not constructed, maintained or groomed with the use of motorvehicles.

Day-Use Area - a developed facility designed to accommodate a significant number of visitorson a day-use basis only.

Designated Campsite - a campsite marked with a department sign or round, yellow campsitemarker.

Detached Parcels - parcels of Forest Preserve land located within the counties of Ulster,Sullivan, Greene, and Delaware, but outside the Catskill Park boundary, or “blue line.” Generally they were obtained by the state as a result of tax default many years ago.

Fireplace - a permanent structure constructed of stone and concrete designed to contain andcontrol camp fires.

Appendix B: General Definitions


Fire Ring - a temporary cluster of rocks designed to contain and control camp fires which maycontain, in fire-sensitive or heavily-used areas, a cement slab.

Fish Barrier Dam - a man made device or structure used to prevent the upstream ordownstream migration of fish for the purpose of protecting a high-value fishery or population offish indigenous to the protected body of water.

Foot Trail - a marked and maintained path or way for foot travel located and designed toprovide for reasonable access in a manner which minimizes impacts on the surroundingenvironment.

Horse Barn - a rustic structure open on at least two sides designed to provide temporaryshelter for a small number of horses.

Horse Trail - a path marked and maintained for travel by horse, located and designed toprovide for reasonable access in a manner which minimizes impacts on the surroundingenvironment.

Improved Cross-Country Ski Trail - a marked and maintained path for cross-country ski usedesigned for competitive or intensive use conditions which may be constructed, maintained orgroomed with the use of motor vehicles.

Improvement - any change in or addition to land, that materially affects the existing use,condition or appearance of the land or any vegetation on it. Improvements include but are notlimited to foot and horse trails, roads, jeep trails, state truck trails, cross-country ski trails,improved cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, trail heads, picnic areas and campsites.

Invasive Species - means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to causeeconomic or environmental harm or harm to human health. "Alien species" means, withrespect to a particular ecosystem, any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or otherbiological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem(Federal Executive Order 13112).

Lean-to - an open front shelter made of natural materials suitable for temporary or transientresidence, constructed according to a standard Department of Environmental ConservationPlan and located so as to provide shelter in a manner least intrusive on the surroundingenvironment.

Lean-to Cluster - more than two lean-tos within sight or sound of each other and generallyseparated by a distance of less than one-quarter mile.

Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) - how much change will be allowed to occur before it istoo late to initiate management actions to maintain or restore desired conditions.

Mechanized Aid - a non-motorized or motorized wheelchair, or other similar devices such as athree wheeled mobility device, designed solely for use by a mobility impaired person forlocomotion that is suitable for indoor use in a pedestrian area as well as outdoor use by aperson with a disability. A non-motorized or motorized wheelchair is considered as a part ofthe person with a disability and not a motor vehicle.



Mine - A place from which bedrock, sand, gravel, shale, boulders, or other naturally occurringor naturally deposited materials is removed. Stockpiles of material that have been mined andtransported from another location at any time are not considered mines.

Motor Vehicle - a device for transporting personnel, supplies or material that uses a motor oran engine of any type for propulsion and has wheels, tracks, skids, skis, air cushion or othercontrivance for traveling on, or adjacent to land, water or ice. The term includes such vehiclesas automobiles, trucks, jeeps, motorbikes, all-terrain vehicles, duffle carriers, snowcats,bulldozers and other earth moving equipment, but does not include snowmobiles ormechanized aids.

Motorboat - a device for transporting personnel or material that travels over, on, or under thewater and is propelled by a non-living power source on or within the device.

Motorized Equipment - machines not designed for transporting personnel, supplies ormaterial, or for earth moving, that use a motor, engine or other non-living power source toaccomplish a task. The term includes such machines as chainsaws, brushsaws, rotary orother mowers, rock drills, cement mixers and generators.

Natural Materials - construction components drawn from the immediate project site ormaterials brought into the construction site that conform in size, shape and physicalcharacteristics to those naturally present in the vicinity of the project site. Such materialsinclude stone, logs and sawn and treated timber. Natural materials may be fastened oranchored by use of bolts, nails, spikes or similar means.

Non-conforming Use - any structure, improvement or human use that does not comply withthe guidelines specified in the Master plan for the land classification where it exists or wouldtake place.

Playground - a playground is an appurtenance to an intensive use area designed to facilitatechildren’s outdoor activities. Playgrounds may include equipment such as swing sets andslides. The facilities will be designed and located to blend with the surrounding environment.

Puncheon - a split log with the face smoothed.

Ranger Stations or Ranger Cabins - enclosed buildings constructed or maintained by theDepartment of Environmental Conservation suitable for human habitation and occupiedseasonally or year round by administrative personnel to help administer lands and public useunder the jurisdiction of the department.

River - any section, portion or tributary of a flowing body of water, including a river, stream,creek, run, kill, rill, branch or lake.

River Area - a river and its immediate surroundings, including river banks and the land on bothsides or the river.

Road - an improved way designed for travel by motor vehicles and:(i) either under the jurisdiction of a state agency or a local government and open

to the general public; or



(ii) maintained by private persons or corporations primarily for private use butwhich may also be partly or completely open to the general public on adiscretionary basis; or

(iii) maintained by the Department of Environmental Conservation and open tothe public on a discretionary basis; or

(iv) maintained by the Department of Environmental Conservation for itsadministrative use only.

Snowmobile - motorized vehicle designed primarily to travel on snow or ice by means of skis,skids, tracks or other devices.

Snowmobile Trail - a marked trail designed by the Department of Environmental Conservationon which snowmobiles are allowed to travel when it is covered by snow or ice.

Structure - any object constructed, installed or placed on land to facilitate land use, includingbut not limited to bridges, buildings, ranger stations or ranger cabins, sheds, leantos, pitprivies, picnic tables, horse barns, horse hitching posts and rails, fire towers, observer cabins,telephone and electric light lines, mobile homes, campers, trailers, signs, docks, dams andstream improvement structures.

Trail Register - a rustic structure, typically a box with a roof and a door, large enough toaccommodate a notebook used by visitors to record their use of the trail(s). It may also beused to provide information.

Trailhead - a point of entrance to state land which may contain some or all of the following:vehicle parking, trail signs and visitor registration structures.

Untrammeled - not confined or limited: not hindered.

Vista - a natural or created break in trees or vegetation permitting a view of the distantlandscape.

Wildlife Management Structure - a structure or device designed solely for inventory orresearch purposes or for the protection or restoration of endangered species, including but notlimited to animal enclosures or exclosures, traps, raptor hacking towers, nesting towers orboxes, that does not materially alter the natural character or resource quality of the land andthat is made of natural materials whenever possible.


APPENDIX C: LONG DISTANCE TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

THE LONG PATH

The Long Path is a continuous hiking trail marked, managed and maintained by theNew York/New Jersey Trail Conference which originates in Fort Lee, New Jersey and extendsnorthward through the Catskills to John Boyd Thatcher State Park in Albany County, New York. The Long Path was originally conceived of in the early 1930's as a long distance unmarkedhiking corridor. The goal was to create a continuous route from the George Washington Bridgein New York City to the High Peaks in the Adirondacks. Early enthusiasm for the projectdwindled until the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference revived the project in 1960. Volunteers have since constructed and now maintain most of the present 328 mile pathway. Although most of the trail is marked and maintained by the New York/New Jersey TrailConference, within the Catskill Park the Long Path uses hiking trails marked and maintained bythe Department of Environmental Conservation (approximately 90 miles). While some of themaintenance of the Long Path as it passes through the Catskills is being adopted by the NewYork/New Jersey Trail Conference, the ultimate responsibility for these trails will continue torest with the Department. All Department hiking trails will continue to be marked withtraditional DEC trail markers. The Long Path logo will be limited to trailheads and trailjunctions.

While there now exists a defined route through the Catskills for the Long Path, theDepartment will try to accommodate route changes to move more of the trail onto public landand thus reduce road walking. Any proposed changes will be considered in the appropriateunit management plan(s).

The Long Path presents a unique recreational opportunity for visitors to the Catskills. Itprovides a continuous route for hikers wishing to undertake a north/south traverse of the Park. At present, the trail passes through nine different forest preserve management units includingfour wilderness areas, four wild forests and two campgrounds.

THE FINGER LAKES TRAIL

The Finger Lakes Trail is a primitive foot trail which on completion will connect theAllegheny Mountains with the Catskills by passing through remote areas of the Southern Tierof New York State. While not all sections of the trail have been defined, most of the main trunktrail to the Catskills has been completed. Within the Catskill Park, the Finger Lakes Trail nowhas a continuous marked route through Delaware County, and an initial route through UlsterCounty has been identified, linking the Finger Lakes Trail with the Long Path at Denning in theSlide Mountain-Panther Mountain Wilderness. Future proposals to move the Finger LakesTrail off roads and onto public land will be considered in the appropriate unit managementplan(s).

The Finger Lake Trail is marked, managed and maintained by the Finger Lakes TrailConference. However, within the Catskill Park the Finger Lakes Trail uses hiking trails markedand maintained by the Department. While the Finger Lakes Trail Conference is in the processof adopting some of the maintenance responsibilities associated with these trails, the ultimateresponsibility for all trails traversing forest preserve lands will continue to rest with theDepartment. All Department hiking trails used as a route for the Finger Lakes Trail willcontinue to be marked with traditional DEC trail markers. The Finger Lakes Trail logo will belimited to trailheads and trail junctions.

Appendix C: Long Distance Trail Descriptions


The Finger Lakes Trail provides a unique opportunity for people to traverse nearly theentire length of New York State by foot in a relatively primitive setting. The Catskill Parkpresents a mountainous, wilderness environment which adds to the trail's diversity. At present,the trail passes through the Delaware Wild Forest, the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, theBig Indian Wilderness, and the Slide Mountain Wilderness.

THE NEW YORK STATE SNOWMOBILE TRAIL PLAN

In October of 1989, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and HistoricPreservation completed a snowmobile trail plan for New York State. Overall goals of the planare to provide a statewide snowmobile trail system for the enjoyment of snowmobile owners,while protecting the environment and properly addressing the concerns of the non-snowmobiling public. The plan is intended as a guide for the development and maintenance ofa cohesive statewide system. Local sponsors will bear the responsibilities of planning,developing and managing the systems within their jurisdiction.

The plan proposed nine corridor trails (through trails connecting villages, towns, cities,counties and/or state parks similar to the interstate highway system) throughout the state. These proposals are conceptual in nature, to be used for design and planning purposes only. One of these proposed corridor trails passes through the southern Catskills, connecting PineBush with Binghamton. The specific route of this corridor will be determined via a series oflocal plans, including unit management plans when state lands are involved. An 18 milesegment of this corridor trail has been developed in the Willowemoc Wild Forest (see the UMPfor this unit, completed in October, 1991).

By creating a system of interconnecting corridor trails throughout the state,snowmobilers will have access to a greater variety of areas within the state. Other trail userssuch as hikers or bicyclists may also benefit through the off-season use of trails developed onpublic lands. Guidelines for establishing trail corridors developed in the State Snowmobile TrailPlan will be used to minimize any adverse environmental impacts.


APPENDIX D: DEPARTMENT POLICIES RELATING TO THEFOREST PRESERVE

Departmental Policies

CP-3: Motor Vehicle Access to State Lands under Jurisdiction of the Department ofEnvironmental Conservation for People with Disabilities

CP-17: Record keeping and Reporting of Administrative Use of Motor Vehicles andAircraft in the Forest Preserve

CP-38: Forest Preserve Roads

Commissioner’s Organization & Delegation Memoranda

#84-06: Tree Cutting in the Forest Preserve as amended (7/86)#93-35: Fishery Management in Wilderness, Primitive and Canoe Areas - amended

11/02/93

Natural Resources

NR 86-3 Acquisition of Conservation EasementsNR 90-1 Administration of Conservation EasementsNR 90-2 State Land/Facility NamingNR 95-1 Boundary Line Maintenance

Fish and Wildlife

F & W 83-1 Liming Policy, revised 6/91

Lands and Forests

L & F 91-2: Cutting Removal or Destruction of Trees and Endangered, Threatened orRare Plants on Forest Preserve lands

FOREST PRESERVE POLICY:

Trail Construction and Maintenance ManualFireplace and Fire RingsDamsFoot BridgesFoot TrailsPrimitive CampsitesRoad BarriersSnowmobile TrailsSanitary FacilitiesTrailheads


APPENDIX E: PUBLIC USE

In creating a Master plan for management of Catskill Forest Preserve lands it is necessary toknow who uses and enjoys the land for what purposes today and what future demands for usemight create additional management pressures and problems.

Visitor Use

No overall census of visitor use of Catskill Forest Preserve recreational facilities has ever beenundertaken. The only facilities for which visitation statistics are systematically collected are thestate campgrounds, day use areas and the ski area.

The direct use of undeveloped Forest Preserve lands is estimated based on visitor sign-ins attrailheads. Though DEC staff strongly encourage visitors to sign trail registers, signing in is notmandatory. The actual number of visitors entering the Catskill Forest Preserve from trailheadsis estimated to be over 150,000 per year. Trail register information is supplemented withinformation taken from camping permits. Estimates of the use of Forest Preserve lands byhunters, trappers and anglers has never been undertaken, but is certainly significant.

Table 6 presents visitor use statistics for management units within the Catskill Forest Preserve. This plan does not include information on private facilities. It must be recognized, however,that the tourism facilities, infrastructure and attractions provided by the private sector are asignificant component of recreation in the Catskill Park.

With the exception of the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, most public use of Forest Preservelands and facilities occurs from May through October. Most of the campgrounds are open frommid May through Columbus Day weekend in October. In general, most people visit the ForestPreserve on weekends, with peak use occurring on holiday weekends, especially MemorialDay, Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends. Camping and hiking are by far the mostpopular activities pursued on Forest Preserve lands. Fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, andcross-country skiing are also popular. Most of the campgrounds and the Belleayre MountainDay Use Area also provide swimming opportunities which are very popular. Opportunities forsnowmobiling, horseback riding and mountain bicycling are generally limited to a few isolatedareas within the Catskill Forest Preserve.

Appendix E: Public Use


TABLE 6. CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE PUBLIC USELand

ClassificationYear

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Wilderness 30,848 31,540 35,063 32,074 36,605 33,628 34,000

Wild Forest 47,829 49,414 57,285 46,439 67,146 65,139 66,000

Backcountrysubtotal

80,667 82,946 94,342 80,509 105,749 100,767 100,000

Campgrounds 266,767 247,540 266,824 232,906 252,457 227,104 259,920

BelleayreSki Center

95,944 76,157 91,470 71,209 84,042 141,886 175,000

Pine Hill Lake 0 0 14,000 14,170 14,653 14,082 12,913

Intensive UseArea subtotal

362,711 323,697 372,294 318,285 351,152 383,072 447,833

AdministrativeAreas

5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

Grand Total 448,378 411,643 471,636 403,794 461,901 488,839 552,833

Appendix F: State Environmental Quality Review


APPENDIX F: STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW

12-12-79 (3/99)-9c SEQR

State Environmental Quality ReviewNEGATIVE DECLARATION

Notice of Determination of Non-Significance

Identifying # 2008-FPM-3-4-37

Date June 20, 2008

This notice is issued pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations pertaining toArticle 8 (State Environmental Quality Review Act) of the Environmental Conservation Law.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as lead agency, has determinedthat the proposed action described below will not have a significant environmental impact anda Draft Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.

Name of Action: Adoption and Implementation of the Revised Catskill Park State Land Master Plan

SEQR Status: Type 1 X Unlisted

Conditioned Negative Declaration: Yes X No

Description of Action: Adoption and implementation of a revised Catskill Park State LandMaster Plan (CPSLMP), originally prepared and adopted by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 1985. The CPSLMP sets forth management guidelinesfor all State lands administered by DEC within the Catskill Park, as well as parcels of ForestPreserve land situated within the counties of Ulster, Greene, Delaware, and Sullivan butoutside the Park boundary. The scope of the revision includes reorganization of the document,updating technical information, expanding the jurisdiction of the document to include parcels ofForest Preserve land outside the Catskill Park boundary, adding a new land classification,changing the classifications of some State land management units, combining somemanagement units into larger units, changing the names of some management units, providingnew guidelines for types of State land use that were not addressed in the original CPSLMP,changing existing management guidelines, and providing additional detail to existingmanagement guidelines.

Major Changes in the Revised CPSLMP Include:

1. Creation of a new wilderness area, the Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness,through the reclassification of the Blackhead Range Wild Forest and portions of theBlack Dome Valley Windham High Peak Wild Forest units. The remaining portion, theWindham High Peak Wild Forest is being renamed the Elm Ridge Wild Forest, and theremaining portion, the Black Dome Valley Wild Forest is being renamed the ColgateLake Wild Forest.



2. Expansion of the West Kill Wilderness to include most of the Hunter Mountain WildForest, renaming the remaining portion of the Hunter Mountain Wild Forest, the RuskMountain Wild Forest.

3. Elimination of the provision requiring that all wild forest lands and waters above 2,700feet in elevation be managed in accordance with wilderness guidelines.

4. Prohibition of the use of bicycles on all lands classified as wilderness, restricting theuse of bicycles to roads and trails on lands classified as wild forest.

5. Creation of a new land classification, Primitive Bicycle Corridor.

6. Allowing for the development of snowmobile trails below 3,100 feet in elevation (ratherthan 2,700 feet) in wild forest areas.

7. Limiting the size of camping groups to 12 in wilderness areas and 20 in wild forestareas.

8. A change in the definition of wild forest and intensive use lands

9. Conforming the guidelines for acquiring new Forest Preserve lands and easements inthe Catskill Forest Preserve counties with Conserving Open Space in New York State,commonly known as the Open Space Plan.

10. Expanding the jurisdiction of the document to include parcels of Forest Preserve landoutside the Catskill Park boundary and applying wild forest guidelines to theirmanagement.

11. New sections providing guidance related to:

! Public information, education, and interpretation

! A balanced approach to recreational development

! Design standards

! Partnerships

12. Lists of conforming and nonconforming structures in intensive use areas.

Location: (Include street address and the name of the municipality/county. A locationmap of appropriate scale is also recommended.)The revised CPSLMPapplies to all State lands administered by DEC within the Catskill Park,as well as parcels of Forest Preserve land situated within the counties of Delaware, Greene,Sullivan and Ulster but outside the Catskill Park boundary.

Reasons Supporting This Determination:(See 617.7(a)(c) for requirements of this determination; see 617.7(d) for Conditioned NegativeDeclaration)As a part of the development of the original CPSLMP in 1985, an EnvironmentalImpact Statement was prepared. The EIS addressed the potential impacts of adopting the



CPSLMP. The present determination of significance, because it pertains to the revision of theoriginal CPSLMP, only addresses the changes in the revision.

In fundamental terms, the revised CPSLMP will not change the concept of management for theCatskill Forest Preserve. The basic framework of land classifications and the approach towardmanaging public use embodied in the management guidelines given for each classificationremain essentially unchanged. Article 14, Section 1 of the New York State Constitution, whichrequires that the Forest Preserve be forever kept as wild forest lands, as well as existing lawsand regulations, are reflected throughout the revision. Two new public use limitations areproposed: prohibiting the use of bicycles in wilderness areas and the imposition of campinggroup size limitations in wilderness and wild forest areas. The restrictions on the use ofbicycles will necessitate the establishment of new regulations. These new limitations areconsidered to be consistent with the approach to Forest Preserve management embodied inthe original CPSLMP. Specific projects such as the development of snowmobile, horse and/orbicycle trails will be proposed in individual unit management plans or amendments to existingunit management plans that will be subject to a site specific environmental review underSEQR.

While most of the changes in the revision are elaborations or refinements of the guidancegiven in the original CPSLMP, there are some important differences. Major changes and theirenvironmental implications are described below:

1. Creation of the Windham - Blackhead Range Wilderness - The new wildernessarea, containing about 17,100 acres, will be created by reclassifying existing ForestPreserve lands currently classified as wild forest. Because there are more limitationson facility development and public use in wilderness areas, the reclassification will bemore protective of the area's natural resources, thus having a positive impact on theenvironment.

2. Expansion of the West Kill Wilderness - The expanded Hunter - West Kill WildernessArea, containing nearly 27,000 acres, will be created by reclassifying about 7,000 acresof existing Forest Preserve lands currently classified as wild forest (a large portion ofthe Hunter Mountain Wild Forest). Because there are more limitations on developmentand public use in wilderness areas, the expansion/reclassification will be moreprotective of the area's natural resources, thus having a positive impact on theenvironment.

3. Elimination of the 2,700-Foot Elevation Provision - Elimination of the elevationprovision will afford managers more flexibility in providing opportunities for types ofrecreation that are appropriate in wild forest areas, but not permitted in wilderness. TheNew York State Constitution charges DEC with the protection of the wild character ofForest Preserve lands, regardless of their classifications. As a consequence, wildforest guidelines, as set forth in the original CPSLMP and the revision, are sufficientlystrict to assure that no new recreational development proposals would be made as aresult of the elimination of the elevation provision that would have significant adverseimpacts on the environment.

The provision applying wilderness guidelines to upper elevation lands in wild forestareas arose from the intent to give special recognition and protection to those lands,thought generally to have qualities that imparted more "wilderness character" and madethem more vulnerable to impacts from recreational use than areas at lower elevations.



Attributes cited in arguments supporting greater protection for upper elevation landsincluded:

a. Old Growth Forests - Stands of "old growth" occur generally above 3,000feet.

b. History of Minimal Human Disturbance - For the most part, farming androad building did not occur above 2,900 feet.

c. Thin Soils - Bedrock is generally closer to the surface at higher elevations.

d. High Peaks - In the Adirondacks, all but one of the "high peaks," thoseabove 4,000 feet in elevation, are in wilderness areas. On the other hand,ten of the 35 Catskill high peaks--those above 3,500 feet–were in WildForest, as classified in the 1985 CPSLMP. In the revised Master plan, 25 ofthe high peaks are in wilderness, two are partially in wilderness, partly onprivate land, one is completely on private land, five are in Wild Forest andtwo are in state forest (outside the Catskill Park).

e. Concentrated Recreational Use - Because mountain summits are populartrail destinations, concentrated human activity can cause excessive physicaland social disturbance.

The application of wilderness guidelines to upper elevation wild forest lands has, ineffect, applied the wilderness classification to these areas. The reason that they werenot formally classified as wilderness appears to be that they were not large enough tomeet the 10,000 acre minimum size requirement contained in the wilderness definition.

Wilderness treatment has afforded strong protection to the wild character, as well asthe physical and biological resources of upper elevation wild forest lands. However,experience with the CPSLMP since its adoption has shown that, with the elevationprovision in place, some desirable proposals for types of recreational development thatare appropriate in wild forest areas, such as new snowmobile and horse trails, could notbe carried out. With the ban on bicycle use in wilderness, the development of bicycletrails also would be restricted. The blanket protection of upper elevation wild forestlands afforded by the current CPSLMP constitutes a blanket restriction on all butpedestrian and some horse use on most trails. Because much of the land of theCatskill Forest Preserve is steep and occupies higher elevations, opportunities arelimited for the development of trails of any length that would not cross the 2,700-footcontour at some point. In practical terms, therefore, the retention of the elevationprovision would eliminate the possibility of constructing new snowmobile, horse, andbicycle trails on approximately 53,000 acres of wild forest land. On the other hand, byrestoring wild forest management guidelines to all wild forest lands, DEC would beafforded the flexibility to offer appropriate new recreational opportunities forsnowmobilers, equestrians, and bicyclists. Managers could make detailedmanagement decisions based on site-specific information rather than being constrainedto treat a large, diverse area according to a single set of uniformly restrictive guidelines. Actually, many areas above 2,700 feet are as capable of withstanding recreational useas lower elevation areas. And despite the potential for new impacts related to newstructures, improvements, and types of recreational use, the restoration of wild forestguidelines to upper elevation wild forest lands would not constitute a significantreduction in their level of protection.



Although some types of structures are permitted in wild forest areas that are notpermitted in wilderness, it is unlikely that the elimination of wilderness guidelines fromwild forest lands above 2,700 feet would result in the construction of any newstructures. The most potentially significant change would be the creation ofopportunities for the limited construction of new horse trails, as well as the designationof existing roads and trails or the limited construction of new trails for use bysnowmobilers and bicyclists. In reality, however, there are few opportunities for thedesignation or construction of snowmobile, horse, or bicycle trails in areas above 2,700feet. Snowmobile trails will not be designated or constructed above 3,100 feet toprevent impacts to high elevation spruce-fir forest communities as well as to reduceuser conflicts. Additionally, just as for lower elevations, any proposals involving newtypes of trail uses at higher elevations would be made only after their potential impactson physical and biological resources and the recreational experiences of visitors hadbeen assessed. Only the types and levels of use that would not degrade the wildcharacter and natural resources of wild forest lands would be promoted. DEC wouldprotect fragile resources at all elevations in wild forest areas by tailoring managementactions to areas specifically identified through the unit management planning process. State Environmental Quality Review Act requirements for specific managementproposals would also be addressed as part of the process of preparing unitmanagement plans.

4. Prohibition of Bicycle Use in Wilderness, Restricting the Use of Bicycles toRoads and Trails on Lands Classified as Wild Forest - The 1985 CPSLMP does notrestrict the use of bicycles on the Forest Preserve. The prohibition of their use inwilderness, as well as their restricted use in wild forest areas will protect therecreational atmosphere appropriate to wilderness and reduce user conflicts andpotential erosion in wild forest areas, thus having a positive effect on the environment.

5. Creation of a New Land Classification, Primitive Bicycle Corridor - This newclassification creates four corridors of forest preserve land 100 feet wide on landsformerly classified as wilderness that will allow for the continued use of bicycles, butwhich will otherwise be managed as wilderness. The existing trails within thesecorridors, all of which are old wood roads currently marked and maintained as foottrails, will not be marked, enhanced or in any other significant way modified for bicycles.They will continue to be maintained as foot trails that provide a challenging wildernessexperience for bicyclists. They were selected because they have been and continue tobe used by experienced backcountry bicyclists as links to broader bicyclingopportunities within the Park. As with all other marked trails, they will be maintainedusing water bars, drainage dips, and other erosion control techniques. Trailheadsignage will be used to notify users that bicyclists may be on the trail in an effort toreduce user conflicts.

6. Allow for the Development of Snowmobile Trails Below 3,100 Feet in Elevation inWild Forest Areas - The 1985 Master plan prohibits the use of snowmobiles in areasabove 2,700 feet in elevation (with one exception). As discussed in issue #3,elimination of the 2,700-foot elevation provision, the revised Master plan raises thisblanket snowmobile prohibition to allow for consideration of appropriate newrecreational opportunities for snowmobilers at a more realistic elevation given the verynature of the region. Regardless of elevation, any new snowmobile trail proposalwould be made only after the potential impacts on physical and biological resourcesand the recreational experiences of visitors had been assessed on a site specific basis.



Note: snowmobiles are restricted to designated trails throughout the Forest Preserve,and both the current and revised Master plan prohibit the development of snowmobiletrails on lands classified as wilderness, regardless of elevation.

7. Limiting Group Size - The 1985 CPSLMP does not restrict the size of groups who usethe Forest Preserve. The limitation of the size of camping groups to 12 in wildernessareas and 20 in wild forest areas would reduce the physical and sociological impactscaused by large groups, thus conferring a positive environmental impact.

8. A Change in the Definition of Wild Forest and Intensive Use Lands - The newdefinitions more concisely conveys the sense of the original definitions. They are notintended to change the original in any substantive way, but rather to make them moreeasily understood and interpreted.

9. Conforming Acquisition Guidelines with the Open Space Plan - Conserving OpenSpace in New York State, commonly known as the Open Space Plan, in part sets forththe official State policy that guides the addition of lands to the Catskill Forest Preserveand the acquisition of conservation easements in the Catskill Park. The revisedCPSLMP has been updated to reflect that policy. State Environmental Quality ReviewAct requirements were addressed as part of the preparation of the Open Space Plan.

10. Detached Parcels - Parcels of Forest Preserve land outside the Catskill Park boundarybut within the four Catskill Forest Preserve counties are commonly referred to as"detached parcels." Currently their management is not governed by any officialguidelines. Including detached parcels in the CPSLMP and applying wild forestguidelines will give direction and consistency to their management. No adverseenvironmental impacts are anticipated as a result of this change.

11. New Sections

! Public Information, Education, and Interpretation - The new guidanceprovided in this section could lead to the production of new publications andprograms designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of theForest Preserve, as well as the installation of occasional roadside signs andinterpretive displays. Though some increase in public use of Forest Preservetrails could result, better education about the proper use of Forest Preservelands would minimize impacts. Information about currently little-knownrecreational opportunities would be designed to increase use of these areaswithin their capacity to withstand use while reducing use pressures on areascurrently sustaining high use levels. Significant environmental impacts arenot anticipated as a result of the addition of the new guidelines.

! A Balanced Approach to Recreational Development - The new guidanceprovided here could lead to the improvement of existing recreationalopportunities and the creation of new ones that would entail physicalalterations to existing trails, parking areas, and other structures andimprovements to make them more accessible to the public, as well as theconstruction of new structures and improvements. The new guidelines arenot expected to result in significant environmental impacts. In fact, the newguidelines specify in part: limiting trail uses to those appropriate to the unitclassification and compatible with the natural resources of the area;minimizing user conflict; and reserving selected trails for foot travel only. The



environmental impacts related to specific proposals will be addressed as partof the unit management planning process.

! Design Standards - This section is intended to assure that Forest Preservestructures and facilities will have a consistent look appropriate to a naturalsetting. Because the application of the new guidelines would result in animprovement in the appearance of the Forest Preserve to highway travelersand Forest Preserve users, the addition of this section will have a positiveenvironmental effect.

! Partnerships - Besides acknowledging the Forest Preserve managementassistance provided for years by other government agencies, educationalinstitutions, private organizations, and individuals, this section calls forincreasing emphasis on establishing and maintaining partnerships as a wayof furthering Forest Preserve management goals. The establishment of thenew guidelines will not have a significant impact on the environment.

! Invasive Species - Provides a brief discussion of this evolving threat anddirects the Department to consider necessary actions to control exoticinvasive species, where there is potential for significant degradation to thenative ecosystem. Actions can include mechanical control, biological control,and the use of pesticides. The environmental impacts related to specificproposals will be addressed in work plans and appropriate SEQR review. Mechanical, biological control and pesticide use will be noticed in theEnvironmental Notice Bulletin.

12. Lists of Conforming and Nonconforming Structures in Intensive Use Areas - The list of structures that may and may not be constructed inintensive use areas provide better guidance about the nature of the facilitiesthat may exist on Forest Preserve lands for this classification. The list willhelp assure that the development of intensive use areas is appropriate intheir Forest Preserve setting and consistent in their appearance andcharacter. The addition of these lists will thus have a positive environmentalimpact.

If Conditioned Negative Declaration, provide on attachment the specific mitigationmeasures imposed, and identify comment period (not less than 30 days from date ofpublication in the ENB)



For Further Information:

Contact Person: William Rudge, Natural Resources Supervisor

Address: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation21 South Putt Corners RoadNew Paltz, NY 12561

Telephone Number: (845) 256-3092

For Type 1 Actions and Conditioned Negative Declarations, a Copy of this Notice is sent to:Appropriate Regional Office of the Department of Environmental ConservationChief Executive Officer, Town/City/Village ofOther involved agencies (if any)Applicant (if any)Environmental Notice Bulletin - NYS DEC - 625 Broadway - Albany, NY 12233-1750(Type One Actions Only)


APPENDIX G: REFERENCES

Adirondack Park Agency, Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan, 1989.

Andrle, Robert F. and Janet R. Caroll, eds. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1988.

Bierhorst, John and the Olive Natural Heritage Society. The Ashokan Catskills: A NaturalHistory, Purple Mountain Press, Fleischmanns, New York, 1995.

Brown, Eleanor. The Forest Preserve of New York State, Adirondack Mountain Club, Inc.,1985.

Chambers, Robert E., Integrating Timber and Wildlife Management, State University ofNew York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York,1983.

Cole, David and Bruce Hampton. Soft Paths, National Outdoor Leadership School, 1988.

DeLisser, R. Lionel. Picturesque Ulster, Kingston, New York, 1896.

Demrow, Carl and David Salisbury. Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance,Appalachian Mountain Club. 1st edition, 1998.

Evers, Alf. The Catskills - From Wilderness to Woodstock, 1972.Hendee, John C., GeorgeH. Stankey and

RobertC. Lucas. Wilderness Management, 2nd edition, rev., Fulcrum Publishing, Golden,CO, 1990.

Hoffer, Audrey and Elizabeth Mikols, Unique Natural Areas in the Catskill Region, CatskillCenter for Conservation and Development, Inc., 1974.

Kudish, Michael, Ph.D. The Catskill Forest: A History, Purple Mountain Press,Fleischmanns, New York, 2000

Kudish, Michael, Ph.D. Vegetational History of the Catskill High Peaks, State University ofNew York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Ph.D., 1971.

McAllister, Lee and Myron Steven Ochman, Hiking the Catskills, New York - New JerseyTrail Conference, 1989.

Nash, Roderick. Wilderness and the American Mind, third edition, Yale University Press,1982.

New York - New Jersey Trail Conference. Catskill Trails, 7th edition, New York, New York,2001.

New York - New Jersey Trail Conference. Guide to the Long Path, 4th edition, New York,New York 1996

NYS DEC. Catskill Park State Land Master Plan, Albany, New York, 1985.

Appendix G: References


NYS DEC. Final Generic Unit Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement forCampgrounds and Day-Use Areas, Division of Operations, Bureau of Recreation,Albany, New York, 1990.

NYS DEC and OPRHP. Conserving Open Space in New York State, October, 2002.

NYS DEC, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources - Checklist of the Amphibians,Reptiles, Birds and Mammals of New York State, including their legal status Thirdrevision, 2001.

NYS DEC. New York State Rare Plant Status List, Division of Lands and Forests, Albany,New York, August, 1992.

NYS OPRHP, State of New York Snowmobile Trail Plan, Albany, New York, 1989.

NYS OPRHP, People Resources, Recreation: 1994 Statewide Comprehensive OutdoorRecreation Plan, Albany, New York, 1994.

Recreation Access Advisory Committee. Recommendations for Accessibility Guidelines: Recreational Facilities and Outdoor Developed Areas, U.S. Government PrintingOffice, Washington, D.C. 1994.

Rich, John Lyon. Glacial Geology of the Catskills, New York State Museum Bulletin No.299, December, 1934.

Temporary State Commission to Study the Catskills. State Land Master Plan - CatskillRegion, NYS DEC, September, 1976.

Titus, Robert, The Catskills in the Ice Age, Purple Mountain Press, Fleischmanns, NewYork, 1996.

Van Valkenburgh, Norman. The Forest Preserve of New York State in the Adirondack andCatskill Mountains: A Short History, Purple Mountain Press, Fleischmanns, NewYork, 1996.

Van Valkenburgh, Norman. The History of the Catskill Forest Preserve, The Catskill Centerfor Conservation and Development, Inc., December, 1982.

Wadsworth, Bruce. Guide to Catskill Trails, Adirondack Mountain Club, Inc., 1994.

Wells, J. V. Important Bird Areas in New York State, National Audubon Society, Albany, NY 1998.


APPENDIX H: CATSKILL HIGH PEAKS BIRD CONSERVATIONAREA MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE SUMMARY

New York StateBird Conservation Area ProgramManagement Guidance Summary

Site Name: Catskill High Peaks BCA

State Ownership and Managing Agency: Department of Environmental Conservation

Location: Greene and Ulster counties; Catskill peaks over 3,500 feet in elevation, locatedin the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness, the Rusk Mountain Wild Forest, the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness, the Indian Head Wilderness, and the Slide Mountain Wilderness.

Size of Area: approximately 3,700 acres

DEC Regions: 3, 4

General Site Information: Catskill high peaks over 3,500 feet in elevation, in particularthose with dense subalpine coniferous forests. Bicknell’s Thrush prefer dense thickets ofstunted or young growth of balsam fir. Found less frequently in young or stunted spruceand heavy second growth of fir, cherry, birch.

Vision Statement: Continue to maintain the wild character of the area, while facilitatingrecreational opportunities in a manner consistent with conservation of the distinctiveassemblage of bird species nesting in the Catskill High Peaks. Promote further research atthe site, particularly on Bicknell’s Thrush.

Key BCA Criteria: Diverse species concentration site; individual species concentrationsite; species at risk site (ECL §11-2001, 3.f, g and h.). Bird species of interest includeBicknell’s Thrush (special concern) and Blackpoll Warbler.

Critical Habitat Type: Montane red spruce-balsam fir forest.

Operation and Management Considerations:

• Identify habitat management activities needed to maintain site as a BCA.

None currently identified.

• Identify seasonal sensitivities; adjust routine operations, accordingly.

Access to the Catskill High Peaks BCA is limited to foot trails and non-motorizedaccess trails, and use in most areas is currently minimal. There has been littleresearch on what effect normal use of hiking trails have on nesting activities of sub-alpine birds (in particular, Bicknell’s Thrush). Further study or research would helpto assess impacts of recreational activities on nesting sub-alpine species. Theneed for protective measures will be discussed and incorporated into theappropriate individual Unit Management Plans for the Forest Preserve Areas thatcontain the Catskill High Peaks.

Appendix H: Catskill High Peaks Bird Conservation Area Management Guidance Summary


Maintenance and construction of trails is done on foot, by hand-held equipment,without the use of motorized equipment (motorized equipment may be used inexceptional circumstances with the Commissioners’ approval) during the nestingseason. Maintenance and construction activities should be accomplished outside ofthe breeding season, when possible. Construction of new trails, their location,timing, and potential effects on sub-alpine bird species will be addressed in theappropriate individual Unit Management Plans for the Forest Preserve Areas thatcontain the Catskill High Peaks.

• Identify state activities or operations which may pose a threat to the habitat types above;recommend alternatives to existing and future operations which may pose threats to thosehabitats.

Ensure bird conservation concerns are addressed in the Catskill Park State LandMaster Plan, the Catskill Forest Preserve Public Access Plan, individual unitmanagement plans and other planning documents/efforts.

• Identify any existing or potential use impacts; recommend new management strategies toaddress those impacts.

More research is needed to determine effects of current levels of recreational useon nesting success of subalpine bird species.

Education, Outreach and Research Considerations:

• Assess current access; recommend enhanced access, if feasible.

The Catskill High Peaks are remote locations and access is currently limited to foottrails. Public use of motorized vehicles is not allowed. The Unit Managementplanning process will assess the effects of current levels of recreational use, andthe need for new trails (including placement, timing, and construction method), onsub-alpine bird species within the Catskill High Peaks.

• Determine education and outreach needs; recommend strategies and materials.

Continue partnerships with the National Audubon Society, Northern CatskillAudubon Chapter, Adirondack Mountain Club and other groups involved ineducation and conservation of birds of the Catskill High Peaks.

• Identify research needs; prioritize and recommend specific projects or studies.

A detailed inventory and standardized monitoring of state-listed species is neededfor the area; all peaks above 3,500 feet with appropriate habitat (particularly densespruce/fir forests) should be surveyed for Bicknell’s Thrush. More research isneeded on the effects of acid precipitation on nesting success. More study of theeffect of current levels of recreational use on breeding success is needed.

Other Issues:

Slide Mountain is of historical interest as the type locality for Bicknell’s Thrush.

Appendix H: Catskill High Peaks Bird Conservation Area Management Guidance Summary


Contacts:Peter Innes, DEC Region 4 Natural Resources Supervisor, phone: 518-357-2066Jeffery Wiegert, DEC Region 3 Regional Forester, phone: 845-256-3084Ted Kerpez, DEC Region 3 Wildlife Manager, phone: 845-256-3066Richard Henry, DEC Region 4 Wildlife Manager, phone: 607-652-7366

Sources:

Atwood, Jonathan L., Christopher C. Rimmer, Kent P. McFarland, Sophia H. Tsai andLaura R. Nagy. 1996. Distribution of Bicknell’s Thrush in New England and NewYork. Wilson Bulletin 108(4):650-661.

Bull, John L., 1998. Bull’s Birds of New York State. Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, NY.

Rimmer, Christopher C. and Kent P. McFarland. 1997. Population Density, Demographicsand Distribution of Bicknell’s Thrush and other Subalpine Birds on Hunter andPlateau Mountains, New York. Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Woodstock,VT.

Rimmer, C.C., Atwood, J. and L.R. Nagy. 1993. Bicknell’s Thrush - a NortheasternSongbird in Trouble? Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Woodstock, VT.

State of New York Endangered Species Working Group. 1996. Species Dossier forBicknell’s Thrush. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Wells, J.V. 1998. Important Bird Areas in New York State. National Audubon Society,New York.

Date BCA Designated: 6/10/99

Date MGS Prepared: 8/28/00


APPENDIX I: RESPONSIVE SUMMARY - PUBLIC COMMENTS ONTHE 2003 DRAFT PLAN

The Department receivedhundreds of comments on the draftCatskill Park State Land Master Planrevision, released in August 2003. Comments were received at the publicmeetings, via letter and e-mail, byresolution and petition, and phone calls. The comments are summarized into fivemain categories and a sixth ofmiscellaneous.

This responsive summary isorganized into these six categories. Mostof the comments in a group are similar innature, and will be answered in summaryform.

Bicycles

The proposals in the draft Planregarding bicycles generated the mostcomments and reflected the spectrum ofviews. They are summarized as:

1) No evidence of adverse ecologicalaffects from bicycle use. Response: There is conflicting orinconclusive evidence in the literature oncomparing the adverse effects of bicyclesto the damage done by hikers. However,the principal reason bicycles are notallowed in Wilderness areas isphilosophical, the idea being to prohibitmechanical transportation devices inWilderness. This is consistent withWilderness management in theAdirondacks and for federal landsclassified as Wilderness.

2) No evidence of a safety issues.Response: See above, bicycle restrictionsare principally philosophical in nature.There are indications of conflicts in areasoutside the Catskills, with high densities ofhikers and bicyclers. Currently this is notan issue for the Catskills.

3) Increase opportunities for bicycle use.Response: The Plan has several changesthat provide for increased bicycle use. InWild Forests, bicycles will be allowed on

trails, roads, and old wood roads, unlessspecifically prohibited in a UMP, or due toan imminent or current threats to safetyor the environment. This type of restrictionapplies to all trails and users. This is achange from trails only being open ifsigned contained in the draft release.

There is a reduction in the acreagededicated to Wilderness were bicycling isprohibited. The Colgate Lake Wild Forestwas expanded to provide increasebicycling opportunities.

This plan creates a new land classification- Primitive Bicycle Corridor (PBC) - whichallows bicycle use within the corridor. ThePBCs traverse through Wilderness Areasprimarily on old roads, and themanagement of them is similar toWilderness except for allowing bicycles. There are 4 corridors: Mink Hollow,Diamond Notch, Overlook Turnpike, andDutcher Notch/Colgate Lake. Thecontinued use of bicycles on OverlookTurnpike was frequently requested in thepublic comments.

4) Continue to restrict bicycle use asproposed in the draft Plan. Response: see above. Creation of thePBCs and the reduction in the lands to beclassified as Wilderness will have minimalimpact on the resource, yet provide forbetter balance of recreationalopportunities.

2,700‘ “Rule” - Wilderness Guidelines

The Plan provides details on theformer Master plan’s 2,700' rule, wherewilderness guidelines applied to landsabove 2,700' in elevation in Wild ForestAreas.

Appendix I: Responsive Summary - Public Comments on the 2003 Draft Plan


1) Retain the 2,700' Rule.Response: Article 14 protects the ForestPreserve and does not distinguishbetween Wilderness and Wild Forests.This elevation does not have a biologicalbasis. The extent of most humandisturbance was not limited to 2,700' noris there a forest stand or communitychange at this elevation. Sensitive areasneed to be reviewed carefully for anypotential recreational development, nomatter what their classification is. Thereare unique areas below 2,700', as well asabove. This rule limited potentialappropriate recreational opportunities,limiting the flexibility for effectivemanagement.

There is no similar elevation limitation inthe Adirondacks. The Department strivesfor consistency in management of theForest Preserve in both its geographiclocations.

2) There were several comments underthe general theme of accepting theelimination, as long as the proposedincreases in Wilderness acreage areretained. Response: The vast majority ofreclassifications proposed in the draftPlan, have been retained. This includesthe expansion of the West Kill Wildernessto include a significant portion of theHunter Wild Forest, to create the Hunter -West Kill Wilderness and the creation ofthe Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness.

3) Eliminate the 2,700' rule.Response: Agreed. This was in theminority of comments received on thissubject.

Snowmobile/ATV / Motor vehicle

Comments varied from, no ATV orsnowmobiles allowed in Forest Preserve,to there should be designated trails forsnowmobiles, ATV, and four wheelers.

1) No ATVs or snowmobiles in the Park.Response: The use of snowmobiles in

Wild Forest Areas, below 3,100' inelevation (a new provision in this Plan) isconsistent with the management andhistorical use of these lands for variedrecreational uses. Snowmobiles are usedon frozen ground, so there is minimalimpact to the tread surface. Above 3,100'terrain limitations and more sensitivehabitats occur, where snowmobiles couldhave unacceptable adverse impacts.

ATV Use - There are no roads or trailsopen for ATV use in the Catskill ForestPreserve. Commissioner Policy 3 (CP3)allows for vehicle use on limited roads viaspecial permit for individuals who aremobility impaired. Currently there are noroads designated under CP3.

2) Support increased enforcement.Response: The Department’s ForestRanger staff routinely patrol areas, andalso utilize special concentrated patrolsfor areas. In addition, the EnvironmentalConservation Officers have special off-road enforcement teams that assist theRangers in concentrated enforcement.

3) Increase the opportunities forsnowmobile and ATV use. Response: The elimination of the 2,700'rule provides for increased opportunitiesin Wild Forest areas for snowmobile trails. This Plan prohibits their use above 3,100'in Wild Forest areas. Although there is an increase in the acreage in Wildernessclassification (with the creation of Hunter -West Kill and Windham - BlackheadRange WA), there is a decrease inacreage of lands managed according towilderness guidelines, with the eliminationof the 2,700' rule. Generally, the newareas in Wilderness are not conducive tosnowmobiling because of their steepterrain.

Snowmobile use in Wilderness Areas isinconsistent with the management ofthese areas. Since the adoption of theWilderness classification, snowmobile andmotor vehicle use has been prohibited.



Group Size Limitations

Comments predominantly reflectedthe potential impact group size limitsmight have on organized groups, i.e. boyscouts, although there were somecomments to maintain or reducednumbers.

1) Group size limits will impact organizedgroup’s ability to utilize the ForestPreserve: Response: Group size limits areimposed for two reasons, to reduce theimpacts on the resource and to improvethe sense of remoteness or solitude inWilderness. The limits allow for a 5 to 1ratio of leaders to participants (i.e scouts),with a minimum of 2 leaders for a totalgroup size limitation of 12 in Wilderness. This is actually more than the “Leave noTrace” guidelines that the national BoyScout organization has adopted.

2) Reduce Group size limits.Response: As noted above, the size limitswere established to minimize adverseimpacts to organized groups whileproviding for resource protection andlimited numbers for a wildernessexperience.

Economic

There were several commentsreceived about the economic impact thisPlan would have on the area.

1) Negative economic impact fromincreasing restrictions on use (primarilybicycle use). Response: This Plan does not addressthe economic impact to the local area andits analysis is beyond its scope. Ingeneral terms, the Forest Preserve is adirect tourism destination, providingpositive impacts to the local economy. Indirectly, the scenery and open spaceprotection afforded by State ownership,provides a large positive impact to visitorswho come to the area and enjoy thescenery.

As noted above, changes allowing morebicycling opportunities in northern GreeneCounty will help mitigate the decrease inbicycling opportunities in other areas.

2) Proposed changes in the draft plan areinconsistent with the 1997 New York CityWatershed Agreement. Response: The MOA provides forincreased cooperation between NYC andDEC on management of adjacent lands. This Plan recognizes this, particularly inregards to land acquisition. Wherepriorities and available funding permit,DEC acquires lands compatible with ourmanagement guidelines. This providesfor a more consistent experience for therecreational user. In addition, as noted,the Plan has been changed to providemore recreational opportunities.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous comments coveredsuch subjects as new trails, canisters,trailess peaks, public participation,acquisition outside the blue line,Interpretive Center, among others.

1) Provide new trails, bridges i.e. ConnectDelaware system to Slide Mountain trail,among others. Response: New trails and otherinfrastructure are evaluated through theUnit Management Planning process.

2) Support canisters on trailess peaks,and the converse, do not supportcanisters. Response: The Plan allows forcontinued use of canisters, but has theprovision, their continued use will beevaluated on an individual basis throughthe UMP process.

3) Remove language which would allowtrails within ½ mile of trailess peaksthrough the UMP process. Response: The Plan was amended toinclude the provision that new trails couldonly be proposed if there is seriousenvironmental degradation, i.e. multipleherd paths.



4) Increase local community involvementin the planning process. Response: Noted. The next revision willinclude more local government notificationand input. There has been a great deal ofdiscussion with local interest groups fromthe release of the draft until this final Plan.

5) Do not limit Forest Preserve acquisitionto the boundaries of the Catskill Park(blue line) and extend the blue line. Response: The boundaries of the ForestPreserve are established by law. Acquiring Forest Preserve lands outsidethe boundaries would be inconsistent andlimits the other traditional uses of statelands, i.e. harvesting forest products,habitat manipulation, and increasedrecreational opportunities not available inthe Forest Preserve.

6) Increase language or support for aCatskill Interpretive Center. Response: Continued partnership withlocal, private, and other state agencies isthe necessary mechanism to gainsufficient support for a Visitor Center.

7) Provide more guidance on invasivespecies management. Response: A new section has been addedto the Plan, which provides the flexibilitynecessary for control, as warranted.

8) Rebuild the incline railways, reopen abluestone quarry, tannery, etc. so thepublic can get a better feel for the area’shistory. Response: These actions need tobe reviewed in the UMP process. However, the constraints of forever wild,would likely prevent their development.

9) Master plan should not support hunting.Response: Hunting is a traditional andappropriate activity on DEC state lands,including the Forest Preserve.

10) What gives the DEC the right to definemy wilderness experience. Response: The principals of wildernessmanagement are founded in the 1964Wilderness Act, ongoing academic

research, and public opinion. It is theobligation of the DEC to manage theForest Preserve consistent with Article 14,and an acceptable standard, asreferenced to the above parameters. Thismanagement will not meet everyone’sobjectives or concerns.

11) Status of Coykendall Lodge.Response: The UMP for this area detailsthe plans for this structure.

12) Permitting (camping) process needsto be changed. Response: Not a Master plan issue; it is aprocess issue.

13) Excessive state land is a loss ofproperty taxes, natural resources. Thereis enough state land for expansion ofski/bike areas. Protecting wilderness isnot the single purpose of state land. Response: The State pays all propertytaxes on Forest Preserve lands, over $9million in 2002. There could be areduction in local diversity with asignificant increase in Forest Preservelands. This reduction is offset by a morelandscape view of the Allegheny Plateau. There is an under representation of uncutforest land in the Catskills and in thelarger landscape, which the ForestPreserve provides as unique habitats.

Expansion of commercial uses (skicenters) in the Forest Preserve requires aConstitutional Amendment. As requiredby Article 14, the management of ForestPreserve is forever wild.

14) Provide for adequate resources forstewardship (trails, lean-tos,campgrounds, etc). Response: The Department has a varietyof funding sources for stewardship,including General Fund and EPF.

15) The Plan should include policyrequiring a water-quality conservationeasement on lands sold within the NYCwatershed. Response: Only smalldetached parcels of forest preserve landsare infrequently authorized for sale.



Although not a Plan component, this ideawill be reviewed when lands aresurplussed within the watershed.

16) Increased technology of mechanizedaids may have a negative impact onWilderness, by being almost equivalent toATVs. Response: Mechanized aids are definedas being for use indoors. A gas poweredwheel chair does not fit this definition. Other mechanized aids that do, are bylaw, legal.

17) Gas stoves should be encouragedover campfires in the Catskills. Response: Good suggestion; however, noban anticipated. Encouragement will takethe form of information and education.

18) Support continued scenic vista treecutting. Response: The Plan allows for animmaterial amount of tree cuttingassociated with minimum vista clearing. This is consistent with legal rulings.

There were additional commentsregarding specific actions or conditionswhich are appropriate when the UMP forthat unit is completed, as well as morecomments then outlined above on supportfor various aspects of the plan, and onethat opposes the Plan in its entirety.

Appendix Ia: Responsive Summary - Public Comments on the Revised 2008 Draft Plan


APPENDIX Ia: RESPONSIVE SUMMARY - PUBLIC COMMENTSON THE REVISED 2008 DRAFT PLAN

The Department received hundredsof comments on the 2008 draft Catskill ParkState Land Master Plan (plan or Masterplan) Revision, many of which were a fewsimilar letters focusing on bicycle use. Thegeneral comments of these similar letterswere:

1) Support for the Plan and for the increasebicycling opportunities by the creation ofPrimitive Bicycle Corridors (PBC) and thechange in wild forest bicycle use to openunless signed closed. Response: Agree, the creation of additionalbicycling opportunities reflects a balancedapproach to recreational opportunities andecological protection while maintaining awilderness experience. See also AppendixI.

2) Support for the Plan and for the increasein wilderness by designation of the Hunter -West Kill and Windham - Blackhead RangeWilderness Areas. Response: Agree, no significant changeswere made from the 2003 draft Plan (and nochange from the 2008 draft) in theWilderness boundaries.

3) Opposition to the creation of the PrimitiveBicycle Corridors and/or bicycling on foottrails. Response: As noted above, and inAppendix I, the creation of PBCs will haveminimal impact on the resource, yet providefor better balance of recreationalopportunities. PBCs are appropriate for thisPlan and do not provide a precedent foreither the Adirondacks nor federalwilderness lands.

4) Support for the Plan, and in general, theidea of Primitive Bicycle Corridors, but onlyif proposed for lower elevations; the fourproposed are incompatible with hiking. Response: As noted above, minimal impactexpected. The Department is not aware ofa history of user conflicts with current

bicycle use, which under the 1985 Plan, isunrestricted.

Some of the other comments received werealmost identical to those submittedfollowing the 2003 Draft. Please seeAppendix I for: 1) Oppose elimination of the2,700 foot rule, 2) Prohibiting bicycles inWilderness, 3) Allowing hunting, 4) Allowingsnowmobiles and outboard motors, 5) SaveCoykendall Lodge, and 6) Reclassificationof Wild Forest to Wilderness.

Other miscellaneous comments receivedwere: 1) Allow a dry hydrant as a conformingstructure in Wild Forests. Response: The Department strives forconsistent management of the ForestPreserve in both the Adirondacks andCatskills. The Department has alreadydetermined in the Adirondacks, a dryhydrant is not an appropriate structure inthe Forest Preserve. This Plan will beconsistent with that decision and notinclude it as a conforming structure.

2) Oppose the creation of Rusk MountainWild Forest, instead of reclassifying it asWilderness. Response: Although most of this wild forestis higher elevation terrain, its size andshape preclude its designation asWilderness. In addition, the public hassupported the retention of the HunterMountain Fire Tower, which would benonconforming if the entire former HunterWild Forest was reclassified as Wilderness.

3) Concern for enforcement of variousregulations including use of ATVs,snowmobiles, and bicycles. Response: Noted, however, enforcement isnot a Master plan issue. The Departmentstrives for consistent and effectiveenforcement so users may enjoy the ForestPreserve, see also Appendix I.

Appendix Ia: Responsive Summary - Public Comments on the Revised 2008 Draft Plan


4) Eliminate lean tos above 3,500 feet inWild Forests. Response: Lean tos are not allowed inWilderness above 3,500 feet, but their veryinfrequent occurrence above this elevationin Wild Forests does not pose a problem inthe Preserve.

5) Logging for Wildlife Habitat.Response: Not consistent with theConstitution. Only an immaterial amount oftree cutting associated with specific projects(trails, vistas, E/T/R species..) is deemedappropriate.

6) Allowing the Escarpment Trail Run:Response: The change in classification fromWild Forest to Wilderness for most of thelands where the Escarpment trail run isconducted, will not affect this race. There isno overnight camping associated with thisrace.

7) Specific trail questions regardingmaintenance and potential user conflicts:Response: As noted above the Departmenthas not received significant complaintsregarding bicycle use, as allowed in the1985 Plan. Other specific issues areappropriate under the UMP process and notthe Master plan.

8) Creation of additional PBCs - Devils Pathand Hunter Trail. Response: PBCs were created on mainlyold road systems and where there washistoric use. Most of the Devils Path trailfrom its intersection with Diamond Notch tothe Hunter Trail does not follow an old roadand has significant sections that are narrowand steep, having washed cobble, and areunsuitable for a shared use trail. Withoutthe Devils Path, the designation of theHunter trail is not applicable. Bicycles willstill be able to ride the Spruceton andColonels Chair trials.

9) Retain a larger portion of SoutheastHunter and Hunter as Wild Forest. Response: The wilderness attributesassociated with the - West Kill Wildernessapply to this area.

10) Redefine Invasive Species and InvasiveSpecies Associated with PBCs. Response: Agree with the suggestion for abetter definition of invasive species. TheDepartment will increase its monitoring ofthe PBCs for invasive species and takeappropriate action when documented.

11) Include or expand language oninformation and education, the CatskillInterpretive Center, the NYC WatershedAgreement and water quality protection,background on 2003 Draft, the PublicAccess Plan, and Signage. Response: Agree, additional information isincluded in the Plan.

12) Provide details on specific time linesand goals, along with environmentalmonitoring, maintenance schedules, andthe limits of acceptable change (LAC)criteria. Response: These items are moreappropriately addressed in the specificUMPs for the individual units and not in theMaster plan.

13) Increase discussion on the water qualityattributes of the Preserve and includeprotection measures for each classification:Response: Undeveloped forest land is thebest land use to ensure high water quality,thus the Preserve provides the bestprotection for water quality. IndividualUMPs will address water quality protectionfor their management actions.

14) Discuss carbon sequestration.Response: The Plan does not go intodetails of carbon sequestration, this topic isbeyond the scope of this document. It isrecognized that uncut forest lands lock uplarge quantities of carbon; however, thePreserve’s increasing age structure doesnot maximize this due to the declining treegrowth of older trees.

15) Decrease the human element indetermining Wilderness Classifications. Response: The Constitution does notdistinguish between classifications. Appropriate protections are also taken for


management actions in Wild Forest lands.The human component, especially thesense of remoteness, is an important factorin the classification system.

16) Why is the Primitive Bicycle Corridorvery specific versus simply allowing theiruse in a Wilderness. Response: See comments above onbicycles in Wilderness.

17) Acquiring Forest Preserve lands outsidethe Catskill Park and Expand the Park. Response: The Catskill Park boundaries areset by legislation. The Department willmanage lands within the Park as ForestPreserve, as was the intention on the Park’screation, including any possible legislativeexpansion.

18) Expand the Department’s forest insectand disease control (FIDC) efforts. Response: The Governor and Legislatureeliminated this Bureau within the Division ofLands and Forests in the mid 1970s. Asstaffing and budgets allow, the Departmenthas an active FIDC program.

19) Trail Maintenance by user groups.Response: The Department enters intoAdopt a Natural Resource Agreements andMOUs with user groups. We welcome andencourage working with the public to helpmaintain our infrastructure.

20) More details on Priority ConservationProjects and note that most UMPs havebeen completed when discussing theclassification system. Response: Discussed in the Open SpacePlan, not a Master plan topic. Agree onnoting most UMPs competed, languageadded.

21) Include elected or local resident forUMP teams. Response: Local input is received duringthe public review process. In addition, localinput is often obtained through informaldiscussions as the UMP progresses.

22) Family Trails should not be created inareas with significant wilderness values. Response: Creation of all new trail takes

into account the biological components anduniqueness of an area.

23) Include Trout Unlimited in PartnershipDiscussion. Response: Agreed, language added.

24) Oppose proposed Belleayreacquisitions and expansion. Response: Not a master plan issue.


APPENDIX J: CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE MAP

2014 Amendment

113

ANDREW M. CUOMO

GOVERNOR

TO:

FROM:

RE:

The Record

Joseph J. Martens

STATE OF NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

ALBANY, NEW YORK 12233-1010

MEMORANDUM

Revision of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan

JOE MARTENS

COMMISSIONER

The amendment of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan to classify the Big Indian Parcel has been completed. The amendment is consistent with guidelines of the State Constitution, Environmental Conservation Law, and Department Rules, Regulations and Policies. The amendment is hereby approved and adopted.

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Catskill Park State Land Master Plan Land Classification Amendment Big Indian Wilderness Area / Shandaken Wild Forest – January, 2014

Background: The current edition of the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan (the Master Plan) was completed and approved in August of 2008 (a revision of the first plan, completed in 1985). The Master Plan implements the forever wild mandate provided in Article XIV of the New York State Constitution and provides additional guidance for management of the Forest Preserve lands in the four Forest Preserve counties in the Catskills as described in Environmental Conservation Law, section 9-0101(6): Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster, the majority of which lie within the Catskill Park. Included in the Master Plan is a land classification system that reflects the varying degrees of wild land ranging from remote, trail-less mountain peaks to extensively used camping areas and a developed ski center. Five basic land classifications are established in the plan: Wilderness, Wild Forest, Primitive Bicycle Corridor, Intensive Use and Administrative Use. The Master Plan classified all of the Forest Preserve lands in the Catskills owned by the People of the State of New York at the time of the completion of the latest edition of the Master Plan in 2008. Since that time the State has acquired additional lands that have been added to the Forest Preserve. The Master Plan prescribes two alternatives for the classification of newly acquired Forest Preserve land: either the unit management plan (UMP) for the unit the property will be added to may be amended or the Master Plan can be amended.

In December of 2011 New York State acquired approximately 1,200 acres in the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County within the Catskill Park to be added to the Forest Preserve. Commonly referred to as the Big Indian acquisition, the property adjoins or is in close proximity to three management units, the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Intensive Use Area, the Big Indian Wilderness and the Shandaken Wild Forest. Because of its proximity to all three units and the potential to divide the property into different land classifications rather than classifying the entire property as one classification, the Department has chosen to pursue the classification of individual portions of the Big Indian acquisition in two separate processes. First, the portion of the Big Indian Acquisition proposed to be classified as an Intensive Use Area and as an addition to the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center’s Intensive Use Area, is being pursued separately through the revision of the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center’s Unit Management Plan. The remaining lands acquired in the Big Indian acquisition, approximately 930+/- acres, are proposed for classification as either Wilderness or Wild Forest through an amendment to the Master Plan as proposed herein..

Description of lands acquired in the Big Indian acquisition: The 1,200 acre Big Indian property encompasses a ridge on the eastern slopes of Belleayre Mountain. It lies completely within the City of New York’s Ashokan watershed and includes a few segments of headwater streams to Birch and Esopus Creeks. Elevations range from 1,260 feet above sea level near the hamlet of Big Indian to 2,820 feet above sea level on the eastern ridge of Belleayre Mountain. It adjoins the inactive Ulster & Delaware Railroad bed on the north side, portions of Woodchuck Hollow Road on the west side, Lasher Road on the east side and portions of Lost Clove Road on the south side. The property was never developed, and past management included periodic timber harvesting as well as hunting by past owners and their guests. A network of wood roads and skid trails exist on some of the property, generally on the ridge itself, where slopes are modest.

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The acquisition did not include a 31 acre property (now a private in holding) at the end of Woodchuck Hollow Road known as the Brisbane Estate. A conservation easement over the 31-acre Brisbane Estate was acquired by the State (in addition to the 1,200 acres acquired in fee) which limits further development of this property.

The property is dominated by northern hardwoods, including maple beech, birch and oak, with some significant stands of eastern hemlock present in some of the steeper ravines.

Proposed Land Classification:

Master Plan Amendment: The Department proposes to classify the following property through an amendment to the Master Plan as follows:

Belleayre Ridge Lands: The bulk of the lands making up this new acquisition, approximately 630 acres on the eastern ridge of Belleayre Mountain, to include all lands acquired east of Giggle Hollow Brook and north of the Belleayre Ridge will be classified Wild Forest and added to the Shandaken Wild Forest. The southern boundary will be along a line 100 feet south of and parallel to an existing wood road along the crest of the ridge east of Belleayre Mountain. This road runs in a southeasterly direction the entire length of the ridge. Near the eastern end of the Ridge, the boundary will turn sharply to the west and begin a gradual decent of the ridge along a line 100 feet north of and parallel to an existing wood road. Not far below the ridge the wood road ends. However, the line will continue in the same westerly direction about 100 yards to a wood road that continues in the same westerly direction, descending the ridge gradually until it intersects with the Lost Clove Road at the existing Lost Clove Trailhead. This southeastern boundary is a change from the draft proposal, undertaken to provide a strip of wild forest land with several existing wood roads that could be developed in the future to allow for a moderate ascent/descent of the Belleayre Ridge by recreationalists. This portion of the property will be classified wild forest because of its ability to accommodate a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities including hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain bicycling and hunting as well as its lack of wilderness character due to an existing wood road network and regular (including recent) timber harvesting. The current road and skid trail network will lend itself to improvements to facilitate these uses. In addition, these uses are compatible and will enhance similar recreational opportunities provided at the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center. The physical characteristics of this area are capable of withstanding higher levels of recreational use than what is allowed in Wilderness area, and the area conveys less of a sense of remoteness and provides fewer outstanding opportunities for the solitude of visitors than is found in Wilderness. Via this amendment, it is also proposed that unlike other Wild Forest lands, the Department will be allowed to develop improved cross-country ski trials (which, as defined in the Master Plan may be groomed with the use of motor vehicles). The Master Plan currently allows improved cross-country ski trails only in Intensive Use Areas. We propose this exception, specific to the Big Indian Ridge, due to its relationship with the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Intensive Use Area. Furthermore, this exception from Wild Forest Guidelines would be limited to grooming with a snowmobile with or without a drag or track setter. Grooming would not be undertaken with large, dual track machines more commonly used to groom alpine ski trails.

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Public access to this property can be gained from the current parking lot at the adjoining Pine Hill Lake Day Use Area, as well as from Winding Mountain Road, Lasher Road, and Lost Clove Road. Conversion of the Ulster & Delaware Rail Line to a pedestrian trial could improve access.

Lost Clove Lands: Approximately 300 acres in Lost Clove, inclusive of the Lost Clove Trail will be classified wilderness and added to the Big Indian Wilderness Area. When added to the Big Indian Wilderness Area it will expand the outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation that are present in the Big Indian Wilderness Area. The northern boundary will be along a line 100 feet south of and parallel to an existing wood road along the crest of the ridge east of Belleayre Mountain as describe above. Adding these lands to the wilderness area is in part proposed in anticipation of the State acquiring adjoining lands on the slopes and summit of Balsam Mountain from the Nature Conservancy. We anticipate that those lands, which directly adjoin the Big Indian Wilderness, would be acquired as an addition to the Big Indian Wilderness.

Revision to the Belleayre Mountain Unit Management Plan (Ski Center UMP): The Department is currently proposing the classification of 270+/- acres acquired as part of the Big Indian acquisition through a revision to the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Unit Management Plan. The proposal includes the following information:

Lands west of Giggle Hollow Brook / Pine Hill Lake Day Use Area: This 270+/- acre property directly adjoins the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center intensive use area (Belleayre Mountain itself on the west side and the Pine Hill Lake Day Use Area on the east). The terrain and proximity to existing trails on Belleayre Mountain, as well as the Ulster & Delaware Rail line suggest this portion of the property could accommodate additional trail development that would complement the existing trail network. For example, the current parking lot and infrastructure at the adjoining Pine Hill Lake Day Use Area could provide parking for a trail system that could be expanded from the day use area to Belleayre Mountain. To allow for consideration of groomed cross-country ski trails, as well as a possible alpine (downhill) ski trail connection with the hamlet of Pine Hill, and because the terrain in the area can accommodate this additional trail development, this portion of the newly acquired property will be classified Intensive Use and added to the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center. Actual trail layout would be considered through an amendment to the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Unit Management Plan.

Belleayre Mountain Intensive Use Area Reclassification: In addition to the classification of lands west of Giggle Hollow Brook through a revision to the Ski Center UMP as describe above, the Department also proposes to reclassify approximately 150+/- acres of the existing Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Intensive Use Area on the southern slopes of Belleayre Mountain which adjoin the Big Indian Wilderness to Wilderness, adding this area to the Big Indian Wilderness through the revision to the UMP. Bounded on the west and north by a line parallel to and 100 feet south of the Pine Hill – West Branch (also known as the Belleayre Mountain hiking trail, these lands encompasses steep, south and southeast facing slopes that have never been developed for and are not suitable for intensive recreation.

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SUMMARY OF CLASSIFICATION PROPOSALS:

Summary of Classification proposals for newly acquired Forest Preserve lands described herein:

Management Unit Current Size Change Proposed Size Belleayre Mtn Ski Center Intensive Use Area (See Section 2 of Draft Revision to UMP)

2,211 acres + 120 acres 2,331 acres

Shandaken Wild Forest: (See Draft Master Plan Amendment)

5,375 acres + 630 acres 6005 acres

Big Indian Wilderness: (See Draft Master Plan Amendment)

33,500 acres + 450 acres 33,950 acres

Alternative Management: The Department considered alternatives to the recommendations made above, including classifying the entire Big Indian acquisition as Wilderness, Wild Forest or Intensive Use. The Big Indian Plateau is typical of the Catskills, dominated by northern hardwood forest that has been managed for forest products. It includes an extensive wood road network, and lacks the primeval character associated with Wilderness. There are no records indicating the presence of threatened or endangered species or significant habitats on the property. There are no known significant wetlands or vernal pools. Portions of the property, particularly those in the Lost Clove area have steep slopes. Given the opportunities for developing some of the wood roads on the property for multiple use recreation, the Department concluded that from a resource standpoint, the only portion of the property appropriate for wilderness classification was the area encompassing the steep slopes that descend from the plateau into Lost Clove. Wild Forest and Intensive Use Area classifications were considered for the remainder on the property to provide the appropriate level of resource protection while allowing the property to be managed in a way that meets the recreational needs that have been expressed by a variety of stakeholders. Consistent with the Catskill Park State Land Master Plan, in developing this proposal, the Department considered the characteristics and capacity of the land to withstand recreational use.

State Environmental Quality Review: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as lead agency of the Amendment of the Master Plan, has determined that the proposed actions, specifically i) the classification of 300 acres acquired as part of the Big Indian acquisition as Wilderness, and ii) the classification of 630 acres acquired as part of the Big Indian acquisition as Wild Forest, as described above, will not have a significant environmental impact and a draft environmental impact statement will not be prepared. Management actions proposed in individual unit management plans to be developed for this property by amendment or revision of existing plans will be reviewed for potential environmental impacts and a determination of significance will be made before any work is undertaken.

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State of New YorkDEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

DAVID A. PATERSON, GovernorALEXANDER B. GRANNIS, Commissioner

625 BroadwayAlbany, New York 12233518.473.9518

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