The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is accepting public comment for a proposed amendment to the Black River Wild Forest Unit Management Plan. According to an announcement sent by DEC:

“The primary purpose of this UMP amendment is to classify snowmobile trails to conform to the trail classification system and guidelines set forth in the Management Guidance for Snowmobile Trail Siting, Construction, and Maintenance on Forest Preserve Lands in the Adirondack Park.”

The APA will accept public comments until May 3, 2018 regarding Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance for the proposed management actions.

DEC described the management plans in an announcement sent to the press:

“The snowmobile trail system proposed in this amendment is designed to provide connections between important destinations and communities within and surrounding the Black River Wild Forest. The trail system is also designed to: a) reduce environmental impacts of the trails; b) provide for limited alternatives in the community connection network in anticipation of periodic disruptions in the most commonly used corridors where Forest Preserve roads with private rights of ways may be plowed for winter logging, and c) accommodate the high volume of snowmobile traffic that typically occurs in this lake effect snow-belt area when other regions of New York are receiving less than normal snowfall.

Also included are plans for an additional parking lot at North Lake, an improved parking area at the Stone Dam Trailhead and several new foot trails in support of the proposed North Country Scenic Trail.

The North Country National Scenic Trail Adirondack Park Trail Plan/Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (September 2015) identified a proposed route of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) through the Black River Wild Forest and the adjacent North Lake Conservation Easement Lands. Existing trails, specifically portions of the Stone Dam, Little Woodhull Lake, Grindstone Creek and North Branch Trails, are expected to be used. However, these trails do not link directly with each other so this proposal identifies areas where new trails would have to be constructed to connect this existing network.

The Black River Wild Forest is located in the Towns of Ohio and Webb in Herkimer County, the Town of Forestport in Oneida County, the Town of Lyonsdale in Lewis County and the Town of Morehouse in Hamilton County.

The 127,135-acre Black River Wild Forest offers a broad spectrum of recreational opportunities, from snowmobiling near the adjacent communities of Old Forge and Otter Lake to hiking on foot trails in remote areas.

Elevations within the unit range from 1,350 feet to 2,600 feet, with the highest relief found between Nicks Lake and Woodhull Lake and around North and South Lakes.

Most of this area is characterized by a series of gently rolling hills interspersed with lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands.

To review the proposed 2018 Unit Management Plan amendment, click here.

Address all written comments to:
Walt Linck
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977

Fax: (518) 891-3938
Email: SLMP_UMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov

Submit all written comments to the APA by May 3, 2018.

Illustration of Black River Wild Forest provided by Adirondack Atlas.