Almanack Contributor NYS DEC

Information attributed to NYSDEC is taken from press releases and news announcements from New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation.


Saturday, September 30, 2023

DEC Urges Fall Hikers to Avoid the Adirondack Rail Trail During Ongoing Construction

dec logoFind Alternate Trails to Enjoy and Prevent Safety Concerns and Construction Delays

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is urging community members, visitors, and recreationists to avoid the Adirondack Rail Trail, to ensure the protection of public safety and assist in timely completion of the project. There is ongoing construction to complete Phase 1 of the project spanning from Lake Placid Depot to Saranac Lake Depot. While some sections of the trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake may appear complete, crews are still working on the trail surface, parking areas, fencing, intersections, and more. The area is closed for use and should be avoided until the project is complete.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, September 30, 2023

DEC Launches Pilot River Creel Survey on Saranac and Boquet Rivers

Anglers Encouraged to Participate; Surveys Conducted through Dec. 31

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced a pilot River Creel survey is being conducted on the Saranac and Boquet rivers to complement the Lake Champlain Angler Creel survey.

The survey began Sept. 1 and is focused on the Atlantic salmon spawning runs in the Saranac and Boquet rivers. Survey results will provide DEC fisheries biologists with a better understanding of angler use, catch, and harvest and angler expectations on major tributaries to Lake Champlain used by Atlantic salmon. Information gathered will be used to develop a bi-annual River Creel survey that will monitor the Atlantic salmon fishery and inform management actions on these rivers.

Anglers will be asked to voluntarily participate in the survey by providing information about their day of fishing. Collected data will include catch and harvested information along with the angler’s satisfaction of the fishery. Participating anglers are also encouraged to provide biological data from fish caught, including length, presence of fin clips, and number of sea lamprey wounds.

Survey locations on the Saranac River include the Green Street angler access site and the pool below the Imperial Mills Dam in the city of Plattsburgh. The Boquet River sites include the stretch of river from the town of Willsboro boat launch at Gilliland Park upstream to the fishing pool just below the cascades and the parking areas along this stretch of the river.

A survey report is planned to be released in Spring 2024 on DEC’s website (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7964.html).

 


Friday, September 29, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (9/29): Hikers encouraged to visit less popular trails to view fall foliage

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

DEC Launches Pilot Mobile Education Station Sept. 22

Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 22 – Oct. 15, a DEC environmental educator will be stationed at a converted shuttle bus at the corner of Route 73 and Airport Road at Marcy Field. Stop by and come on in!

NEW THIS WEEK

No New Updates

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Hiker air lifted from Mt. Marcy following leg injury

forest ranger reportTown of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 20 at 2:35 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch alerted Forest Rangers to a hiker with an unstable leg injury on Mount Marcy. The 53-year-old from New Jersey was approximately half a mile from the summit, just below the tree line. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation was called to assist. With Ranger Baldwin as the crew chief, NYSP Pilot Beck flew Ranger Corey to the scene. Ranger Baldwin lowered Ranger Corey to the patient.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 22, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (9/22): Hikers should prepare for wet trails, dress in layers

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

A green shuttle bus that has been converted to a mobile interactive education station.

DEC Launches Pilot Mobile Education Station Sept. 22

Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 22 – Oct. 15, a DEC environmental educator will be stationed at a converted shuttle bus at the corner of Route 73 and Airport Road at Marcy Field. Stop by and come on in!

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 21, 2023

Remsen Falls Motorized Access Route for Persons with Disabilities Closed Temporarily

dec logoClosure to Support Upgrade of ADA-Picnic Area and Increase Accessibility

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced a temporary closure of the Remsen Falls Motorized Access Route for Persons with Disabilities (MARPWD) in the hamlet of McKeever, town of Ohio, Herkimer County, as this popular destination in the Black River Wild Forest undergoes construction.  The 0.6-mile route will be resurfaced and hardened with gravel and the accessible features at the picnic area will be upgraded to bring them into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Wolf Lake Landing Road, which provides entrance to the Remsen Falls access route will remain open, however, the public can expect to encounter construction vehicle traffic during weekdays. Construction is anticipated to be complete later this year. DEC will issue an announcement when the access road is reopened.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to Supervising Forester Scott Healy by phone at (315) 866-6330, or by email to scott.healy@dec.ny.gov.

 

Photo at top courtesy of the NYS DEC.


Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Bad fall on Hamlin Mountain results in broken nose, other injuries

forest ranger reportRecent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 12 at 1:26 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker who fell on the Cascade Trail and was unresponsive. Forest Ranger Lewis called the subject who explained he has a history of seizures. Ranger Lewis reached the 32-year-old from New Jersey by 2 p.m. and helped them to the trailhead. Resources were clear by 2:30 p.m.

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 12 at 7:56 p.m., Forest Rangers Duchene, Lewis, and Praczkajlo responded to a call for two lost subjects on Hamlin Mountain. One of the hikers reported facial injuries from a significant fall. At 10:49 p.m., Rangers reached the two hikers and treated the 70-year-old from Olivebridge for a broken nose and arm and hand injuries. The hikers lost the trail on their way down from the summit and ended up in hazardous terrain. Due to the darkness, the hiker fell and slid 30 feet down a rock slab and hit his face on a rock. His hiking partner found him bleeding and called for help. After treating the hiker’s injuries, Rangers provided head lamps and helped the pair out of the woods. The hikers drove themselves to the hospital. Resources were clear by 1 a.m. Ranger DuChene and the two hikers explain their experience (video, 148 MB).

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Adirondack Route 73 Shuttle Season Starts Sept. 23

keene shuttleFree Shuttle for Popular Fall Weekends

On September 14, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Essex County, town of Keene, and Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) announced the Route 73 shuttle system launched in 2021 will return on Saturday, Sept. 23. The shuttle system helps manage safe, sustainable visitation along the busy Route 73 corridor in the Adirondack High Peaks region. The free shuttle system will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 23 through Oct. 8, and will also run Monday, Oct. 9.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, September 16, 2023

DEC: Fall Fishing Tips

Canoe on a lake's edge in the Adirondacks.

The weather may cool off in the fall, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the fishing does too. Gamefish often become more active as they feed in preparation for winter. Forage is plentiful for gamefish in the fall as young-of-the-year yellow perch, sunfish, gizzard shad, and alewives reach desirable sizes. Gamefish will often follow these species around, so it can sometimes be challenging to locate fish.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 15, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (9/15): Free Rt. 73 Hiker Shuttle Resumes Sept. 23

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

  • Free Rt. 73 Hiker Shuttle Resumes Sept. 23 – The shuttle will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from September 23 through October 8, and on Monday, October 9.
  • Cobble Hill Trail Temporarily Closed – The trail in Lake Placid will be closed Monday, Sept. 18, through Thursday, Sept. 21, to allow a professional trail crew to do rock and drainage work. The trail will re-open Friday, September 22.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Man flees hospital, swims across Lake Colby to evade authorities

forest ranger reportTown of Bangor
Franklin County
Law Enforcement: On Sept. 6 at 5:45 p.m., Forest Ranger Russell observed a vehicle swerving over the center divider of State Route 11B. Ranger Russell pulled over the driver. When the driver opened the glove compartment, Ranger Russell saw evidence that there may have been a handgun in the vehicle. The driver admitted to having a 9mm handgun in his luggage. Ranger Russell called Ray Brook Dispatch to request New York State Police (NYSP) assistance.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 8, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (9/8): Saranac Lake Upper Locks closure/rehab work begins Sept. 18

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

  • Upper Locks Closure Begins Sept. 18 – Rehabilitation work will begin Sept. 18 and will close the Upper Locks between Upper Saranac and Middle Saranac Lakes. The project is expected to be complete in 2024.
  • Grass River Wild Forest – There is an exclusive rights period on the Cranberry Forest Conservation Easement until December 16th. The only public uses allowed during this time is the year-round use of the Windfall Road and Buckhorn Road for the sole purpose of accessing the river corridor, and the year-round use of the Dillon Pond Public Use Area.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 7, 2023

DEC Seeks Public Comment on Adirondack Foothills Management Plan

map of punkeyville state forest in forestport

DEC is encouraging public comment on the draft Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan (UMP) and will accept comments until September 15, 2023. The proposed plan advances recreational opportunities while protecting natural resources on State Lands in Oneida and Herkimer Counties.

The draft UMP includes six State forests—Hogsback, Popple Pond, Woodhull, Punkeyville, Black Creek, and Hinckley—as well as 24 separate parcels of detached Forest Preserve in Oneida and Herkimer counties and will guide management of these properties over the next 10 years.

The draft Adirondack Foothills UMP proposes:

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Body recovered from Schroon River, 15 Hudson Gorge rafters rescued via railbikes

forest ranger reportTown of Santa Clara
Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On Aug. 27 at 9:50 p.m., Fish Creek Campground caretakers called Ray Brook Dispatch to report two overdue campers who were not equipped with headlamps, food, or water. Forest Rangers Curcio and O’Connor searched the Otter Hollow trail from Square Pond. A campground employee flagged down the Rangers to report they heard voices on the other side of Whey Pond.

Ranger O’Connor located a 32-year-old and 13-year-old from Kingston. The 13-year-old was in a tree along the northern shore of Rollins Pond. Rangers walked the pair back to the campground, arriving at 1:15 a.m.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, September 6, 2023

DEC Announces Rehab Project for the Upper Locks on the Saranac Chain of Lakes

dec logoRehabilitation Work Will Begin September 18 and Will Close the Upper Locks

On Tuesday, September 5, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the $1.6 million rehabilitation project for the Upper Locks on the Saranac Chain of Lakes in the Adirondacks. The project is funded by NY Works and will include necessary maintenance and repairs.

» Continue Reading.



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