For Immediate Release: November 9, 2005
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency is accepting public comments on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) compliance for the Jessup River Wild Forest (JRWF) unit management plan (UMP). A final draft plan was recently completed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and was subject to a series of public meetings and public input during the planning process. The Adirondack Park Agency will now consider compliance of the final draft plan with the State Land Master Plan prior to final adoption by DEC. The Agency will accept public comments on the proposals contained in the draft plan until November 30, 2005.
The JRWF lies in the south-central Adirondack Park. It sits entirely within Hamilton County in the Towns of Arietta, Wells, Indian Lake, Lake Pleasant and the Village of Speculator. The DEC estimates the size of the planning area at 47,350 acres. JRWF includes Snowy Mountain, the highest peak in the southern Adirondacks – elevation 3,899 feet, more than 24 ponds and lakes – the largest being Fawn Lake and approximately 73 miles of named watercourses including parts of the Cedar, Indian, Jessup, Miami and Sacandaga rivers.
The proximity of JRWF lands to roads and waterways lends itself to a variety of outdoor recreational activities for those recreationists seeking a higher level of facility and trail development as compared to remote wilderness areas. Key issues include the Indian Lake Islands Administrative Campground, snowmobiling trail alternatives, Watch Hill equestrian trail development, roadside camping in the Mason Lake area and a relocation of a section of the Northville-Lake Placid trail.
Please address all written comments pertaining to State Land Master Plan compliance to: Richard Weber, Supervisor Regional Planning Planning Division, Adirondack Park Agency P.O. Box 99 Ray Brook, NY 12977
The Adirondack Park Agency Board will consider compliance of DEC’s Unit Management Plan with the State Land Master Plan at the December 8 and 9 Agency meeting. Any written comments received by November 30 will become part of the public record.