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.


Friday, February 11, 2022

Outdoor conditions (2/11): Snowshoes and skis required in High Peaks

outdoor conditions logoThe following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snowshoes or skis are now required to be worn as snow depths exceed 8 inches.
  • Snow report as of 02/10: Trails to Marcy are skiable, with some areas requiring crampons and microspikes. The Van Ho trail is skiable with some icy sections. Both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen. There is 3.5ft of snow at the Lake Colden Outpost and 4-5ft of snow at higher elevations. Note: Conditions may have changed since last report. Expect additional snow.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, February 10, 2022

Ice fishing lingo and tips

ice fishing
Ice Fishing Lingo

If you’ve ever been ice fishing, you may have noticed that ice anglers practically speak their own language. To clear up any confusion, we thought we’d cover some commonly used terms you may hear being thrown around the next time you’re out on the ice. Enjoy!

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Rangers respond to snowmobile accidents, conduct enforcements

forest ranger reportRecent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Old Forge
Herkimer County
Snowmobile Training: From Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, Forest Rangers Hettenbaugh, Jahn, Hanno, and Allwine attended the New York State Snowmobile Law Enforcement Development School (NYS SLEDS) in Old Forge. The five-day course included instruction in snowmobile operation, Snowmobiling While Intoxicated (SWI) detection, checkpoints, and speed enforcement. Participants were instructed in snowmobile laws and handling on-trail emergencies. Students also completed an extensive Emergency Vehicle Operations Course. Multiple agencies and departments participated in the training, including New York State Police, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and the Onondaga, Warren, and Lewis County Sheriffs’ Departments.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, February 7, 2022

Save the Date – 2022 Free Fishing Days

ice fishingMark your calendars for this year’s free fishing days. On these days anyone can fish in New York without a fishing license, so it’s the perfect opportunity for you to introduce fishing to a friend or family member.

This year’s free fishing days:

February 19-20
June 25-26
September 24
November 11

 


Saturday, February 5, 2022

Home Green Home

thermostat

While everything may be cold, snowy, and white outside, now is a good time of the year to focus on greening your home. Make it a resolution to continue simple habit changes throughout the New Year to make your “home sweet home” into a “home green home” in 2022. Here are some tips to get started:

» Continue Reading.


Friday, February 4, 2022

Adirondack outdoor conditions (2/4): Avalanche warning

outdoor conditions logoThe following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information web pages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snowshoes or skis are now required to be worn as snow depths exceed 8 inches.
  • Snow report as of 02/01: All ski trails are skiable. Both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen. There is 31.5in of snow at the Lake Colden Outpost and approximately 4ft of snow at higher elevations. Note: Conditions may have changed since last report. Expect additional snow.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Big Moose Tract up for public comment

stillwater fire towerShare Your Opinion on the Development of a Draft Recreation Management Plan

DEC Region 6 is seeking public input on the development of a draft Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement in the town of Webb, Herkimer County.

The Big Moose Tract is approximately 23,850 acres and contains commercially managed forestland, several small ponds, portions of Birch, Fourth, Sunday, and Twitchell creeks, the Independence River, and the West Branch of the Beaver River.

DEC encourages the public to provide suggestions relating to the development of the Big Moose Tract draft RMP by mail to Matthew Nowak, Environmental Program Specialist, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 7327 State Route 812, Lowville, NY 13367, or email to r6.ump@dec.ny.gov. Suggestions should be submitted by Feb. 28, 2022.

Visit DEC’s webpage for additional information about the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement. The webpage includes the Independence River Wild Forest East map, which shows the location of the Big Moose Tract, a map of the Stillwater Mountain Fire Tower Trail, and the Conservation Easement deed.

Photo provided by Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower


Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Rangers conduct snowmobile patrols, come to aid of injured driver

forest ranger reportRecent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Franklin and Hamilton Counties
Snowmobile Enforcement: Over the last week, Forest Rangers from Region 5 Zone A patrolled more than 311 miles of snowmobile trails in Santa Clara, Paul Smiths, Onchiota, Lake Clear, Saranac Lake, Bloomingdale, Tupper Lake, Long Lake, and Raquette Lake. Rangers checked 395 snowmobiles for up-to-date registration, insurance, and required equipment. Multiple tickets were issued and Rangers also assisted snowmobilers with replacing belts and offering directions. Rangers work all season long with snowmobile clubs and local groomers to ensure trails are safe each winter.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, February 1, 2022

DEC and Partners Launch Adirondack Moose Research Project

mooseThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the start of a new moose research project in the Adirondack region. This winter, 14 moose were fitted with GPS collars as part of a multi-year project assessing moose health and population. To safely capture, collar, and monitor these animals, DEC partnered with researchers at the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), and Native Range Capture Services.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, January 31, 2022

How White-Tailed Deer Cope with Winter Weather

deer in winterAs temperatures drop and snow deepens, you may notice a group of white-tailed deer digging around in an open field or wandering through your yard in search of food. While you may be tempted to feed the deer, they are well adapted to our winter conditions. It is also illegal to feed deer, and it may do more harm than good.

White-tailed deer go through both physical and behavioral changes that improve their survival odds during winter. Deer spend much of the fall season building up fat stores that will provide them with warmth and energy throughout winter. Externally, deer develop a thick winter coat of fur that helps them absorb more sunlight and traps in more body heat.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, January 29, 2022

Comments sought for Proposed Fishing Regulation Changes

fishDEC is proposing to amend sportfishing regulations that include a multitude of changes to clarify, simplify and clean up fisheries regulations based on public feedback and fishery expert review of the regulations associated with management of the State’s fisheries.

Highlights of the proposals include:

» Continue Reading.


Friday, January 28, 2022

Outdoor conditions (1/28): Solid snow depth in much of the region

outdoor conditions logoThe following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snowshoes or skis are now required to be worn as snow depths exceed 8 inches.
  • Snow report as of 01/26: All ski trails are skiable – be mindful of some icy spots. Both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen. There is 35.4in of snow at the Lake Colden Outpost (almost 3ft) and approximately 3.5ft of snow at higher elevations like Algonquin and Colden. Note: Conditions may have changed since last report.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 26, 2022

New Opportunities for Recreation in St. Lawrence County 

kildare mapDEC recently announced the amendment of the Kildare Conservation Easement and the Five Mile Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plans (RMPs) to include new opportunities for public access to recreation in the Adirondack Park. The Kildare and Five Mile conservation easements are located in the towns of Hopkinton and Parishville, St. Lawrence County.

The amended RMPs will open the Kildare Conservation Easement to seasonal public motor vehicle and overland access for the first time since the easement was acquired in 1989. The easement will become accessible after the construction of a new half-mile connector road between the Kildare and Five Mile properties, which will open 16.1 miles of existing roads for public motor vehicle use and make the entire Kildare tract more accessible for non-motorized access and activities such as hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation. Planning for the road’s construction is underway. Road design and construction are anticipated to take several field seasons to complete. Additional updates will be shared after the road is complete.

Visit DEC’s website for information about the 2021 Amendments to the Kildare and Five Mile Conservation Easement Tracts.


Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Body discovered at Shelving Rock Falls

forest ranger reportRecent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 19 at 1 p.m., Forest Rangers Martin and Sabo responded to a personal locator beacon activated for an injury report half a mile from Camp Santanoni, approximately 4.5 miles from the trailhead. The hiker’s companions were keeping her warm while waiting for help to arrive. Rangers reached the 22-year-old hiker from Maine one-half hour later and stabilized the knee injury. With the help of the Newcomb Fire Department, Rangers transported the hiker back, where she declined further medical attention.

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, January 23, 2022

Climate Action Council Releases Draft Scoping Plan 

dec logoNew Yorkers Encouraged to Review and Comment on Draft Scoping Plan Beginning Jan. 1 to Advance and Implement Nation-Leading Climate Law

New York State’s Climate Action Council Co-Chairs, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, today announced the release of the Draft Scoping Plan, which describes recommended policies and actions to help New York meet its ambitious climate directives as part of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). After a unanimous 19-0 vote by the Climate Action Council on Dec. 20, 2021. The Draft Scoping Plan is now available for public review and public comment beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

» Continue Reading.



Conditions
Conditions

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