Public Meeting Scheduled for May 9
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a public meeting to provide information, answer questions, and accept public input on the draft Tioughnioga Unit Management Plan (UMP). The informal informational session will be held Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m.at the Nelson Town Offices, 4085 Nelson Rd, Cazenovia, NY 13035.
DEC will accept comments on the draft plan until Monday, July 1, and invites the public to attend the May 9 meeting to share ideas about what they would like to see included in the UMP. The informal meeting will begin with an open house (meet and greet format) followed by a brief presentation and conclude with an open forum to provide written comments and discuss ideas and issues directly with DEC staff.
The Tioughnioga Unit covers 4,646 acres of State Lands in Madison County, including DeRuyter, Morrow Mountain, and Stoney Pond State Forests and Nelson Swamp Unique Area. Highlights of lands in the unit include 28.2 miles of designated recreational trails, Stoney Pond Campground and Boat Launch, and the Nelson Swamp Interpretive Area. The draft plan and additional information are available on DEC’s website.
DEC manages state lands for multiple benefits to serve the people of New York State. The draft Tioughnioga UMP proposes to: a) address overall management and maintenance activities on these State Lands; b) maintain healthy, sustainable, and biologically diverse ecosystems for fish and wildlife; and c) provide continued opportunities for forest product sales, recreational use, environmental education, and research.
State Lands covered by the draft plan offer many recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hunting, trapping, fishing, picnicking, cross‐country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.
DEC will also accept comments via email with the subject line “Tioughnioga Unit” to R7.UMP@dec.ny.gov, and by U.S. Mail or phone to: Gregory Owens, Senior Forester, DEC, 2715 State Route 80, Sherburne, NY 13460, or (607) 674-4017.