List_of_New_York_state_forests

New York State Forests

New York State Forests

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New York State Forests are public lands administered by the Division of Lands and Forests of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). New York State Forests are designated as reforestation, multiple use, and unique areas; and state nature and historic preserves, with approximately 600,000 acres (2,400 km2) classified as reforestation areas and approximately 9,000 acres (36 km2) classified as multiple use lands. Land within the Adirondack Park or the Catskill Park is not included as part of the State Forest system.

An old logging road through a pine plantation at Morgan Hill State Forest in Onondaga County, New York.

State Forest management

The purpose of state forest management in New York is to promote forest conservation, improve ecosystem health and biodiversity, provide recreational opportunities, and derive economic benefits from forests by employing sustainable management practices.[1] As of 2016, more than 787,000 acres (3,180 km2; 1,230 sq mi) of forests are managed by the NYSDEC; this includes areas designated as state forests, reforestation areas, multiple-use areas, and unique areas, but does not include forest preserve lands within Adirondack Park and Catskill Park.[2]

Permissible activities on New York state forest lands include hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-county skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and camping, although some properties prohibit some of these activities.[2] Motorized vehicle use is prohibited except for on specified roads and trails. Camping for longer than three consecutive nights, or in groups of ten or greater people, requires a free permit issued by the NYSDEC; in addition, campsites must be located at least 150 feet (46 m) away from roads, trails, and streams unless previously established by the NYSDEC.[3]

Classifications

Entrance sign for the East Otto State Forest in Cattaraugus County.

There are four categories of state forest lands established under New York State law; their descriptions are below.[4]

Reforestation areas

Lands obtained for reforestation and maintained for watershed protection, the production of timber and other forest products, and for recreation and related purposes. These areas must have at least 500 acres (200 ha) of contiguous lands that shall be forever devoted to the planting, growth and harvesting of such trees as shall be reforested.

Multiple use areas

Funded by the park and recreation land acquisition bond acts of 1960 and 1962 to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, including public camping, fishing, hunting, boating, winter sports. Wherever possible, the multiple-use-areas should also serve multiple purposes involving the conservation and development of natural resources, including the preservation of scenic areas, watershed protection, forestry and reforestation.

Unique areas

Lands of special natural beauty, wilderness character, geological, ecological or historical significance; the unique areas may include lands within a forest preserve county outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

State Nature and Historic Preserve

Lands dedicated to the State Nature and Historic Preserve (as referred to in Section 4 of Article XIV of the State Constitution) are declared to be put to their highest, best and most important use for one or more of the following purposes:

  1. As natural communities for maintaining plants, animals and natural communities;
  2. As reservoirs of natural materials and ecological processes that contribute to the state's biological diversity;
  3. As field laboratories for scientific research and education in the natural sciences, including the fields of biology, conservation, ecology, natural history and paleontology; and
  4. As places of natural and historical interest and beauty which provide the public with passive recreational opportunities including, where appropriate, fishing, hunting and trapping, or commercial fishing opportunities that are compatible with protecting the ecological significance, historic features and natural character of the area.[4]

List of New York State Forests

The following sortable table includes several classifications of state forests in New York. Those labelled as "State Forests" are managed for a variety of goals; many are reforestation areas that are intended for timber production and watershed protection, in addition to providing space for outdoor recreation. "Multiple Use Areas" are managed primarily to provide space for outdoor recreation, with the additional purpose of land conservation and protection. "Unique Areas" are intended to protect areas with significant geological, ecological, aesthetic, or historical features.[4]

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See also

References

  1. [1]
    Strategic Plan for State Forest Management (PDF). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. July 15, 2011. p. iii. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  2. [2]
    "State Forests". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  3. [3]
    "Rules for Using Lands Managed by the Division of Lands and Forests". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  4. [4]
    "State Land Classifications". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  5. [5]
    "List of State Forests". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  6. [6]
    "Title 9, Chapter I, Subchapter A, Part 384: Listing of State Parks, Parkways, Recreation Facilities, State Land and Historic Sites (Facilities), DEC Facilities". Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York. WestlawNext. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  7. [7]
    Unless otherwise noted, acreages are sourced from individual pages listed at: "List of State Forests". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  8. [8]
    Treaty Line Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. p. 4. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  9. [9]
    "Keyserkill State Forest Complex". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  10. [10]
    Taylor Valley Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. February 2015. p. 5. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  11. [11]
    Northern Piedmont Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. July 2013. p. 11. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  12. [12]
    Upper Salmon River Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. April 2014. p. 10. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  13. [13]
    "Beaver Pond State Forest". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  14. [14]
    46 Corners Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. January 2013. pp. 197–206. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  15. [15]
    "Adirondack Foothills Management Unit". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  16. [16]
    Eminence Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 1995. p. 5. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  17. [17]
    "St. Lawrence Flatlands Management Unit". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  18. [18]
    Brookfield Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. February 2016. p. 18. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  19. [19]
    Oneida Hills Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. June 2013. p. 13. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  20. [20]
    Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. November 2009. p. 8. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  21. [21]
    Taylor Pond Management Complex Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. February 2013. p. 4. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  22. [22]
    Camillus Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. May 2004. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  23. [23]
    "Bahar Preserve & Carpenter's Falls". Finger Lakes Land Trust. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  24. [24]
    Charleston Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. August 2009. p. 8. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  25. [25]
    Vienna Woods Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. August 2015. p. 13. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  26. [26]
    "DEC to Prepare Management Plan for State Lands in Clinton County". New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  27. [27]
    McDonough Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 1999. p. 5. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  28. [28]
    Tioga Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. September 2006. p. 3. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  29. [29]
    Hill and Hollow Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. January 2013. p. 8. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  30. [30]
    Draft Unit Management Plan for State Forests in Saratoga and Warren Counties (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. April 2002. pp. 9–10. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  31. [31]
    "Maxon Creek State Forest". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  32. [32]
    "Montrose Point State Forest". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  33. [33]
    Southern Staten Island Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. February 2009. p. 18. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  34. [34]
    Nelson Swamp Unique Area Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 1999. p. 5. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  35. [35]
    "Onondaga Escarpment". ProtectedPlanet. IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  36. [36]
    Helderbergs Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 2001. pp. 4–5. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  37. [37]
    Pharsalia Woods Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. February 2013. p. 20. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  38. [38]
    "Pharsalia Woods State Forest". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  39. [39]
    Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Unit Management Plan Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 2006. p. 8. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  40. [40]
    Rome Sand Plains Consolidated Management Plan (PDF) (Report). NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. March 3, 2006. p. 10. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  41. [41]
    "Region 7 Recreation Master Plan For State Forests/ Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. February 2006.
  42. [42]
    "Squaw Island Unique Area". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  43. [43]
    "Stid Hill". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  44. [44]
    "New York State Assembly Bill A07542". New York State Assembly. April 18, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  45. [45]
    "Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area". NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
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