The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on the development of a draft Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the South Colton Tract Conservation Easement, a privately owned tract subject to a conservation easement encompassing approximately 1,725 acres in the town of Colton, St. Lawrence County.

DEC is encouraging the public to share suggestions on the development of the draft RMP until April 21, 2023.

The South Colton Tract Conservation Easement contains commercially managed forestland, comprised primarily of a northern hardwood forest and multiple small streams and wetlands, including portions of the Dead Creek complex. The conservation easement shares approximately 3,100 feet of boundary with the High Flats State Forest off Donovan Public Forest Access Road in the town of Colton.

RMPs document natural and human-made resources on conservation easements and are used in planning public recreation consistent with the protection of natural resources and the terms agreed upon in the conservation easement. The draft South Colton Tract RMP will be shared for public comment once completed.

The public can currently access the South Colton Tract Conservation Easement by non-motorized means from Morgan Road in South Colton and via a trail on the High Flats State Forest parcel off Donovan Public Forest Access Road in the town of Parishville. Under the conservation easement, DEC owns the rights to maintain roads and trails for motorized use on the property and to permit public hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, paddling, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Specific facilities and recreation opportunities will be identified in the draft RMP.

Members of the public are encouraged to provide DEC with suggestions related to the development of the draft South Colton Tract RMP. Suggestions should be submitted by April 21, 2023, to: Peter D’Luhosch; Environmental Program Specialist, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, 190 Outer Main St. Suite 103, Potsdam, NY 13676; or email: [email protected]; or by completing this online survey.

Information relating to the South Colton Tract Conservation Easement is available on the DEC webpage: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/126664.html