A draft amendment to the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest Unit Management Plan and a draft Unit Management Plan for the Horicon Boat Launch (known popularly as the Schroon Lake Boat Launch) are now available for public review and comment.

Both the draft UMP for the Horicon Boat Launch and the draft UMP amendment for the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest contain proposed management actions that are located within the Schroon Recreational River Area. Pursuant to Part 666 of Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York -also known as the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers regulations – a public hearing is required.

The public hearing will be held at 1 pm on July 27 at the DEC Region 5 Warrensburg Office at 232 Golf Course Road, Warrensburg. The hearing will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more on the proposed management actions and to provide comment on the proposals.

Concurrently, The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is accepting public comments on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) conformance for proposed redevelopment. Public comment should address if the proposed activities conform to the guidelines and criteria of the APSLMP. The APA will accept public comment until August 12, 2016.

Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest

The proposed amendment to the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest Unit Management Plan includes:

•Construction of a parking area and hand launch at Palmer Pond for people with disabilities;
•Replacement of a foot bridge over the Boreas River near Lester Flow;
•Construction of a 5-car overflow parking area near the Moxham Mountain trailhead; and
•Expansion of the parking area at Balfour Lake.

The 91,854-acre Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest in the Eastern Adirondacks expands across Essex, Hamilton and Warren counties. This rugged, mountainous and forested area also contains many lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The lands and waters provide an abundant variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

The Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest Draft Management Plan is available to view or download on DEC’s website. Copies of the Draft Plan are also available on CD at the DEC Region 5 Office in Warrensburg.

Public comments should be sent by August 12, 2016 to Rob Ripp, Senior Forester, NYSDEC Lands & Forests, 232 Golf Course Road, Warrensburg NY, 12885 or e-mailed to R5.UMP@dec.ny.gov.

Horicon Boat Launch

The proposed amendment for the Horicon Boat Launch and Schroon River Area Management Plan includes a new 20′ x 40′ gravel pad for a boat washing station, and to re-open a short road providing access to East Shore Drive.

The Horicon Boat Launch is located in town of Horicon, Warren County just above the dam at the south end of Schroon Lake.

The Horicon Boat Launch Draft Management Plan is available to view or download on DEC’s website. Copies of the Draft Plan are also available on CD at the DEC Region 5 Sub Office in Warrensburg.

Public comments for DEC should be sent by August 12, 2016 to Rob Fiorentino, Biologist, NYSDEC Lands & Forests, 232 Golf Course Road, Warrensburg NY, 12885 or e-mailed to R5.UMP@dec.ny.gov.

Public comments for APA should be sent by August 12, 2016 to Kathy Regan, Deputy Director for Planning, NYS Adirondack Park Agency, P.O. Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977or e-mailed to SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov.

Emails should include the Unit Management Plan name in the subject line.

Photo: Schroon Lake (Horicon) Boat Launch.