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DEC seeks comments on plans for two sites in southeast St. Lawrence County

Posted 2/28/18

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking for public comments on draft plans for the development management of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest Unit and management of recreation at …

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DEC seeks comments on plans for two sites in southeast St. Lawrence County

Posted

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking for public comments on draft plans for the development management of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest Unit and management of recreation at the Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easement March 21 in Wanakena.

“We encourage local residents to join us on March 21st to talk about the history and use of these lands, as well as current ecology and public uses, such as forest management practices and recreational uses,” said DEC Region 6 Director Judy Drabicki. “We are also seeking the public's input in helping to establish short- and long-range goals and objectives for the management of these lands.”

The 25,500-acre Cranberry Lake Wild Forest consists of forest preserve lands located in the towns of Clifton, Colton, and Fine in southern St. Lawrence County. The unit is bounded on the south by the Cranberry Lake Biological Station, the Five Ponds Wilderness, and the south shore of Cranberry Lake; on the east by the Colton town line and the Conifer-Emporium Easement lands; on the north by State Highway 3 and the Oswegatchie River; and on the west by private lands and the Inlet Road.

The Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easement spreads across 19,200 acres of land over seven individual tracts in the St. Lawrence County towns of Clifton, Colton, and Piercefield.

Easement lands blend working forest with public recreation and biological diversity in a way that highlights Adirondack history and tradition.

DEC will accept public input on these plans from 6 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium at SUNY ESF Ranger School, 257 Ranger School Road, Wanakena, or comments can be mailed to Aaron Graves, Forest Preserve Forester, or Peter D'Luhosch, Conservation Easement Specialist, at the DEC office at 6739 US Highway 11, Potsdam, or email R6.UMP@dec.ny.gov

All comments must be received by May 4. DEC will review them as it develops the draft Unit Management Plan and Recreation Management Plan. For more information visit Cranberry Lake Wild Forest UMP at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/51301.html, and Lake Wild Forest Information at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/34715.html.