APA to take comments on Wild Forest plan

RAY BROOK — The state Adirondack Park Agency has announced a public comment period regarding Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan compliance with its plans for the Saranac Lakes and Grass River wild forests.

The agency will accept public comments on the plans, released by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, until July 13.

The Saranac Lakes Wild Forest spans the Tri-Lakes region, spreading over at least four towns in two counties, and borders or is close to six other state land units. The plan is far from simple and calls for designating a unit manager and management team to oversee the lands and implement the changes to the UMP addresses.

The new UMP for the area is one of the most ambitious released by the DEC, including hundreds of management actions, and covers everything from backcountry campsites and trails to parking area, boat launches and hunting conditions.

The Grass River Wild Forest is located in several towns in St. Lawrence County and is about 14,000 acres, though there are more than 100,000 acres of conservation easement lands in the area as well.

Both plans can be accessed on the APA website at www.apa.ny.gov.

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