For Immediate Release: January 20, 2017
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY - The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is accepting public comments on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) conformance for activities proposed in an amendment to the Moose River Plains Wild Forest (MRPWF) Unit Management Plan (UMP). Public comment should address if the proposed activities conform to the guidelines and criteria of the APSLMP.
The MRPWF is located in the Towns of Webb and Ohio in Herkimer County and the Towns of Arietta, Inlet, Long Lake, Lake Pleasant and Morehouse in Hamilton County. A UMP for the area was completed in January 2011.
The proposed amendment would:
1. Address previous actions regarding bicycling from the 2011 UMP;
2. Incorporate proposals identified by the International Mountain Bike Association as part of a comprehensive mountain bike trail plan prepared for the Department of Environmental Conservation;
3. Provide additional recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities; and,
4. Address parking issues along Route 28 to accommodate new or expanded improvements.
Mountain bike objectives included in the amendment include:
- Expand opportunities for single track riding in the Moose River Plains area.
- Concentrate bicycling to specific areas and monitor the level of use.
- Expand bicycling in the areas adjacent to highly visited areas such as Eighth Lake Campground and Great Camp Sagamore.
- Connect the trail system to nearby towns and communities.
The APSLMP guidelines for wild forest areas allow bicycles "on roads legally open to the public and on administrative roads, foot trails, snowmobile trails and horse trails deemed suitable for such use as specified in individual unit management plans. 6NYCRR ยง196.7(e) provides that the operation of bicycles is permitted on all roads and trails on Adirondack forest preserve wild forest areas except for those roads and trails posted as closed to bicycle operation."
Management actions to increase recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities include:
- Modify the Eighth Lake Canoe Carry/Mike Norris Trail and the Eighth Lake lean-to and related facilities for persons with disabilities.
- Construct a universal access trail and picnic area east of the new Route 28 parking area.
The APA will accept public comment on APSLMP conformance until February 17, 2017.
The APSLMP and the UMPs are available for viewing or download from the Adirondack Park Agency website at: www.apa.ny.gov.
Please address all written comments pertaining to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance to:
Kathy Regan
Deputy Director for Planning
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Email - SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov
If submitting comment by email, please type the Unit Management Plan name in the subject line of the email message.
Fax: 518-891-3938
UMPs are required by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan for each unit of State land in the Adirondack Park. The plans integrate the goals and objectives of the Master Plan, related legislation, and resource and visitor use information into a single document.
The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law.
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