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APA OKs comment period for tent sites

RAY BROOK — The state Adirondack Park Agency board has approved a public comment period for guidance on how the state will site primitive campsites.

At its regular monthly board meeting, the APA board approved a permit for a small subdivision and water tower in Mayfield, heard a presentation on youth climate action involvement and discussed a state Department of Environmental Conservation document on primitive campsites. The board also approved a public comment period for a general permit for the replacement of utility poles.

Primitive campsites are stand-alone amenities, rather than public campgrounds such as Fish Creek and Buck Pond.

A primitive site offers only a suitable area for camping and a fire ring, and many have an outhouse nearby. They are typically only accessible via hiking or paddling.

“The tent site guidance provides criteria for site size limits, allowable improvements, signage, accessibility, roadside camping, groupings of tent sites,” the document reads. “It is intended to manage primitive tent sites in a manner that protects natural resources and wild forest character of the Park while also providing a valuable recreational opportunity.”

The guidance would apply to primitive tent sites on Adirondack Forest Preserve land classified as wilderness, primitive and canoe. The locations of individual campsites are outlined in individual unit management plans, but the guidance provides general characteristics primitive sites should conform to.

“To discourage the public from camping in unsuitable locations that have the potential to negatively impact the environment or the enjoyment of other users, the department promulgated regulations to limit at-large camping,” the guidance reads. “6 NYCRR 190.3 (b) prohibits at large camping within 150 feet of any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water except at camping sites designated by the department. At-large sites that are causing adverse impacts may be closed by the department through brushing and posting closed.

“Primitive tent sites shall be out of sight and sound, and generally 1/4 mile from any other primitive tent site or lean-to. Where severe constraints prevent attainment of the guideline for separation of generally 1/4 mile lesser separation may be considered through the UMP process on site by site basis. Primitive tent sites should be located away from known populations of invasive species to help minimize their spread. Sustainable conditions include sufficient space and suitable soils to accommodate a pit privy located at least 150 (feet) from the Mean High-Water Mark of any lake, pond, river, or stream or wetland. New or relocated primitive tent sites located adjacent to water bodies will incorporate screening to protect the wild character of the shoreline.”

The guidance also says no site should be more than 1,200 square feet in size or accommodate more than three tents.

There is also information on roadside campsites, which are accessible by vehicle. According to the guidance, roadside sites should be at least 100 feet from the parking area and parking areas cannot be used for camping except during the big-game hunting season under a permit from the DEC.

The comment period will run from Friday, June 14 through Thursday, July 18. Comments can be sent to SLMP_UMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov or by mail to Richard Weber, PO Box 99, 1133 NYS Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977.

The APA also honored former Newcomb Town Supervisor George Canon with a tree planting ceremony outside agency headquarters in Ray Brook.

The next APA meeting is set for Thursday and Friday, July 11 and 12.

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