2016 Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan

STATE OF NEW YORK ADIRONDACK PARK STATE LAND MASTER PLAN

APPROVED December 2016

STATE OF NEW YORK Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor

ADIRONDACK PARK AGENCY Sherman Craig, Chairman Terry Martino, Executive Director

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Basil Seggos, Commissioner

ADIRONDACK PARK AGENCY P.O. BOX 99, RAY BROOK, NEW YORK 12977 518-891-4050 www.apa.ny.gov

MEMBERS OF THE ADIRONDACK PARK AGENCY As of December 2016

CHAIRMAN Sherman Craig St. Lawrence County

Arthur Lussi, Essex County William H. Thomas, Warren County Karen Feldman, Columbia County Daniel Wilt, Hamilton County Chad P. Dawson, Onondaga County John L. Ernst, New York County Barbara Rice, Franklin Country

EX-OFFICIO

Basil Seggos, Commissioner Department of Environmental Conservation Robert Stegemann, Designee

Rossana Rosado Howard A. Zemsky, Commissioner Secretary of State Department of Economic Development Sandi Allen, Designee Bradley Austin, Designee

Executive Director Terry Martino

CONTENTS

I. Introduction ...... 1 Legislative Mandate ...... 1 State Ownerships ...... 2 Private Ownerships ...... 3 Public Concern for the Adirondack Park ...... 4 Acquisition Policy Recommendations ...... 6 Land Exchange ...... 8 Plan Revision and Review ...... 9 Unit Management Plan Development ...... 10 Invasive Species ...... 12 Special Historic Area Unit Management Plans ...... 13 Interpretation and Application of the Master Plan ...... 13

II. Classification System and Guidelines ...... 14 Basis and Purpose of the Classification ...... 14 Definitions ...... 17 Wilderness ...... 22 Primitive ...... 28 Canoe ...... 32 Wild Forest ...... 35 Intensive Use ...... 42 Historic ...... 46 State Administrative ...... 48 Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers ...... 49 Travel Corridors ...... 52 Special Management guidelines ...... 55

II. Area Descriptions and Delineations ...... 57 Wilderness Areas ...... 57 Primitive Areas ...... 84 Canoe Area ...... 101 Wild Forest Areas ...... 103 Intensive Use Areas ...... 117 Historic Areas ...... 119 State Administrative Areas ...... 121 Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System ...... 123 Travel Corridors ...... 125 Scenic Vistas ...... 126 Special Management Areas...... 128

APPENDIX I: Section 816 Master Plan for Management of State Lands ...... 130

APPENDIX II: State-held Conservation Easements Within the Adirondack Park ...... 132

“As a man tramps the woods to the lake he knows he will find pines and lilies, blue herons and golden shiners, shadows on the rocks and the glint of light on the wavelets, just as they were in the summer of 1354, as they will be in 2054 and beyond. He can stand on a rock by the shore and be in a past he could not have known, in a future he will never see. He can be a part of time that was and time yet to come.”

from Adirondack Country

by William Chapman White

I. INTRODUCTION

THIS DOCUMENT SETS FORTH aspects are not degraded. This theme is the master plan for all state lands within drawn not only from the Adirondack the Adirondack Park. The classification Park Agency Act (Article 27 of the system and guidelines set forth in Executive Law - "The Act") and its Chapter II and the attached map are legislative history, but also from a designed to guide the preservation, century of the public's demonstrated management and use of these lands by attitude toward the forest preserve and all interested state agencies in the the Adirondack Park. Fortunately the future. Insofar as forest preserve lands amount and variety of land and water protected by the "forever wild" within the Adirondack Park provide provisions of Article XIV, §l of the today and will provide in the future, with Constitution are concerned, the careful planning and management, a provisions of the master plan are wide spectrum of outdoor recreational intended to be constitutionally neutral. and educational pursuits in a wild forest While obviously no structure, im- setting unparalleled in the eastern half provement or use held to be of this country. unconstitutional is permitted by this Master Plan, no inference as to the constitutional appropriateness or LEGISLATIVE MANDATE inappropriateness of any given structure, improvement or use should be The legislative mandate of the drawn from whether it is allowed or Agency regarding this master plan for prohibited in a particular land classifica- state lands was originally contained in tion. This master plan is not intended to then Section 807 of the Act which is set make constitutional determinations forth in Appendix I. regarding unresolved issues under Article XIV, which are properly a matter In June 1972, following the statutory for the Attorney General and ultimately procedures and after extensive public the courts. The guidelines set forth in hearings around the state, the Agency Chapter II allow certain structures, approved and submitted to Governor improvements and uses in some land Rockefeller the master plan for classifications and prohibit certain of management of state lands which was them in other classifications. duly approved by him in July of that year. In 1973 the legislature If there is a unifying theme to the renumbered and then amended Section master plan, it is that the protection and 807 to Section 816, the text of which is preservation of the natural resources of also set forth in Appendix I. the state lands within the Park must be paramount. Human use and enjoyment of those lands should be permitted and encouraged, so long as the resources in their physical and biological context as well as their social or psychological

STATE OWNERSHIPS -- certain historic areas; While the Act does not define the term "state lands," the Agency has inter- -- certain lands acquired under preted it to mean land held in the name the l960 and l962 Park and Recreation of, owned by or under long-term lease to Land Acquisition Bond Act and other the State of New York or a state agency. lands which have been administratively In addition, due to the extensive State classified by the Department as control in the form of a permanent non-forest preserve lands. easement over the North Elba Park District lands on Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Nothing in this master plan should these lands have also been considered be interpreted as supporting the State lands for the purposes of the Plan. constitutionality of such legislative or Applying this definition, the following administrative classifications of land as inventory of state lands exists within the non-forest preserve. Adirondack Park:

Lands under the jurisdiction of the Lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation: Department of Environmental Conservation: These consist primarily of the rights- of-way for state and interstate highways Substantially all of the within the Park, including administrative approximately 2.6 million acres of land headquarters, storage areas and main- administered by the Department of tenance facilities. Some 1,100 miles of Environmental Conservation form part of highway rights-of-way are involved. the Adirondack forest preserve and are These lands also include approximately protected by the "forever wild" clause of 120 miles of the Remsen to Lake Placid Article XIV, §l of the State Constitution. railroad right-of-way, which is not A small amount of acreage also presently an operational railroad. administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation is considered non-forest preserve. This Lands under the jurisdiction of other consists of: state agencies:

-- lands in the Towns of Altona These include a variety of and Dannemora which are expressly developed uses such as State Police excluded from Article XIV, §l by the substations, the Adirondack Correctional terms of the Constitution; Facility, the Dannemora Correctional Facility, Camp Gabriels and the Lyon -- lands given or devised to the Mountain Correctional Facility and the State for silvicultural or wildlife Sunmount Developmental Center. management purposes which by statute Substantially all are immediately are not considered part of the forest adjacent to public highways, and most preserve; are in developed areas of the Park. The total acreage involved is approximately -- the Department's 12,000 acres of which the developed administrative headquarters; portion is approximately 1,000 acres.

These miscellaneous types of uses concern in the development of pricing raise constitutional questions which, and operating policies for state intensive though sometimes addressed by the use areas. The siting of new state Attorney General, have never been intensive use areas and the expansion resolved in the courts. of existing areas also must take into full account the existence of similar and possibly competing private recreational PRIVATE OWNERSHIPS facilities and should not be competitive with such private facilities. In addition, Land the economy of the entire Adirondack region is vitally affected by the vast The Act clearly recognizes the acreage of private lands that are unique land ownership pattern within the devoted to multiple use forestry. To a Adirondack Park -- the intermingling of much lesser extent, mining on private public and private lands in a lands is also important to the area's checkerboard pattern -- and mandates economic well-being. the Agency to reflect in this master plan the actual and projected uses of private Fish and wildlife resources on lands within the Park. In 1973 the private lands complement those Legislature enacted, in Section 805 of available on the state land, particularly the Act, the Adirondack Park Land Use in the many instances where groups of and Development Plan to guide sportsmen lease hunting and fishing development on private lands within the rights on large private tracts. Park.

This mixture of public and private Conservation Easement Lands lands is a distinguishing feature of the Adirondack Park. At the present time, The State has acquired over the state ownerships account for some years a variety of conservation forty- four percent of the 6,000,000 easements and less than fee acres of land within the Park, the interests which serve an important balance being in private hands. This public purpose in preserving the ownership poses many problems in that natural character of the land for the development in the private sector often benefit of the Park. Although the has a dramatic impact on the use of State owns various rights on these nearby state lands. Conversely, major lands, the land remains in private public facilities, such as a campground ownership and is therefore not or ski center, directly affect land uses on subject to the State land related private lands. classification system and guidelines of the Master Plan. This land relationship also has many advantages. The more intensive These less-than-fee interests are an recreational and service facilities on important element in the relationship private lands permit both a broader between state and private lands. In spectrum of recreational opportunities addition to state-held easements, and wider public enjoyment of the state private conservation organizations hold lands. The economic viability of these conservation easements over a private facilities should be a major significant acreage of private land,

which also help preserve the natural, should be given to major lakes and open-space character of the Park. This ponds totally surrounded by state land master plan for state lands has therefore and to those on which state intensive attempted to take into account, both in use facilities exist or may be proposed. the basic classification system and in The importance of the quality of these the guidelines for future land resources cannot be overemphasized. acquisitions, this intermingling of private and public lands within the Park. The Department of Environmental Conservation has the authority Appendix II of the Master Plan independent of the master plan to provides a brief description of the regulate uses of waters and uses of 699,432 acres of more important wild, scenic and recreational rivers conservation easement acquisitions. running through state land, but may not have such authority to regulate certain uses of waters where all or part of the Water shoreline is in private ownership. The Agency has the authority to regulate The water resources of the Adiron- motorized use of wild, scenic and dacks are critical to the integrity of the recreational rivers and their river Park. The protection of the major water- corridors on private lands. Regulations sheds of the state was a major reason exercising this authority have been for the creation of the forest preserve promulgated by the Agency. Existing and continues to be of significant power and authority of the state or local importance. Waters, particularly lakes governments over state waters should and ponds, have their carrying capacity be reviewed with consideration given to from a physical, biological and social legislative needs to more accurately standpoint just as do tracts of public or define authority over these waters. private land. The use made of state waters also has a direct impact on adjacent land holdings. PUBLIC CONCERN FOR THE ADIRONDACK PARK A genuine need exists to insure that the scale and intensity of water-oriented The people of the State of New York uses are consistent with uses of have shown a deep and abiding concern adjoining state and private lands and the for the management and use of state general character of the Park, lands in the Adirondacks for more than a particularly so far as the type, speed century. This concern was evidenced by and number of boats are concerned. the passage of the "forever wild" amendment to the state constitution in 1894 to A comprehensive study of prevent the ravages of the Adirondack Adirondack lakes and ponds should be forests and the dissipation of the state's conducted by the Department of land-holdings, which typified the closing Environmental Conservation to decades of the 19th century. determine each water body's capacity to withstand various uses, particularly motorized uses and to maintain and enhance its biological, natural and aesthetic qualities. First emphasis

Article XIV, §1 of the New York Between 1895 and l985 there were State Constitution reads in part as over 130 proposed amendments follows: introduced in the state legislature to change Article XIV, but only nineteen THE LANDS OF THE STATE, have been successful in passing both NOW OWNED OR the legislature and public referendum. In HEREAFTER ACQUIRED, eighteen of the successful measures, CONSTITUTING THE FOREST the forest preserve lands involved were PRESERVE AS NOW FIXED restricted to small acreage and were BY LAW, SHALL BE FOREVER quite precisely delineated. The KEPT AS WILD FOREST nineteenth successful measure (the LANDS. THEY SHALL NOT BE Perkins Clearing land exchange LEASED, SOLD OR approved by the voters in l979) while EXCHANGED, OR BE TAKEN authorizing the conveyance of BY ANY CORPORATION, approximately 8,500 acres in the towns PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, NOR of Lake Pleasant and Arietta, required SHALL THE TIMBER legislative approval of actual tracts to be THEREON BE SOLD, exchanged. This long history clearly REMOVED OR DESTROYED. indicates that the majority of voters in the state, for over a century, have It is significant that, although expressed their desire to protect the renumbered, this exact wording has forest preserve against intrusions and been a part of the State Constitution retain these public lands as a wild forest since 1895. preserve.

Article XIV protects both the The attitude of the voters of the Adirondack and Catskill forest state has similarly been reflected in the preserves, and covers in all some rulings of the Attorney General and the 3,000,000 acres of state lands in the relatively few court decisions that define twelve Adirondack counties and four the limits and applicability of Article XIV. Catskill counties both within and without By and large these legal rulings have the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. taken a conservative attitude towards However, of the Adirondack acreage, the scale and character of better than ninety-nine percent is developments permitted on the forest contained within the so-called "Blue preserve. Line" that delineates the boundaries of the public and private lands constituting Finally, the administration of the for- the Adirondack Park today. The est preserve has been in the hands of enormous tracts of forest preserve the Department of Environmental provide a public resource for recreation Conservation and its predecessor in a wild setting that is unique in the agencies since the "forever wild" eastern half of the United States and amendment was first enacted. complements the more developed Placed in the national perspective, the facilities of the excellent state park stewardship of the Department and its system in the rest of the state. predecessors has few equals.

In l96l the Legislature established December, 1970, is the most the Lake George Park, consisting of comprehensive study ever made of the some 200,000 acres in Warren, Adirondack Park. Among its major Washington and Essex Counties, which recommendations are: includes all of the watershed of Lake George. The purpose of the law is to -- the creation of the provide special protection for the Lake Adirondack Park Agency; George Park with particular emphasis on preserving water quality and the -- the preparation by the unique natural and scenic values of the Agency of a master plan for state lands; Park. -- the classification of these Over time, increasing attention has lands "according to their characteristics been focused on the Adirondack forest and capacity to withstand use"; preserve. Pioneering studies were undertaken in the late 1950's and early -- a set of extensive guidelines l960's by the Joint Legislative Com- for the care, custody and control of state mittee on Natural Resources under the lands under the master plan, with successive chairmanships of Senators particular emphasis on stricter controls Wheeler Milmoe and R. Watson over proposed wilderness and primitive Pomeroy. More recently the public has areas; and, recognized that if the character of the Adirondack forest preserve is to be -- the preparation of a land use retained in the face of a growing and development plan for all private population, better transportation facilities lands within the Park. and the soaring demand for outdoor recreation, not only will past management practices on the forest preserve ACQUISITION POLICY require reassessment, but also the RECOMMENDATIONS integrity of the Adirondack Park as a whole must be assured. Thus attention The Agency has an important to other critical state ownerships, such interest in future state land acquisitions as the major travel corridors, and since they can vitally affect both private appropriate controls over development and public land within the Adirondack on private lands are as important to the Park. As a result the Agency future of the forest preserve today as recommends that the following the passage of the forever wild guidelines should govern future amendment was generations ago. acquisitions of state lands within the Park: These new problems were highlighted by Governor Rockefeller in 1. Future state acquisitions naming the Temporary Study within the Adirondack Park should Commission on the Future of the generally be restricted to the acquisition Adirondacks in 1968 to assess and of forest preserve lands. Where special make recommendations for the future state purposes are such that non-forest use of both state and private lands preserve land might be acquired (if such within the Adirondack Park. The acquisitions are constitutionally Commission's report, issued in

permissible) the amount acquired for 3. Save for (i) the two existing other than forest preserve purposes alpine skiing centers at Whiteface and should be kept to the minimum Gore mountains and the Mt. Van necessary. Thus, should the state Hoevenberg area; (ii) rustic state acquire a 100-acre tract on which it campsites, a long accepted intensive wishes to place a hospital, a prison, an use of the forest preserve; office building or another facility only (iii) memorial highways, beaches and that part of the tract, say twenty-five boat launching sites; and (iv) historic acres, that is actually necessary for the areas (guidelines for which are provided facility should be classified as non-forest elsewhere in this master plan), the state preserve. should rely on private enterprise to develop intensive recreational facilities 2. As a general guideline, the on private lands within the Park, to the state should avoid acquiring lands for extent that the character of these lands non-forest preserve purposes (if such permits this type of development, and acquisitions are constitutionally should not acquire lands for these permissible) within the Park where: purposes.

-- the tract is not contiguous to 4. Highest priority should be a public highway; or, given to acquiring fee title to, fee title subject to a term of life tenancy, or -- the tract is of a native forest conservation easements providing character, i.e., stocked with any size, public use or value or rights of first native tree species with twenty-five refusal over, (i) key parcels of private percent crown cover (plantations are not land, the use or development of which considered to be native forest land); or, could adversely affect the integrity of vital tracts of state land, particularly -- the tract involved consists of wilderness, primitive and canoe areas more than 150 acres; or, and (ii) key parcels which would permit the upgrading of primitive areas to -- the tract is contiguous to wilderness areas. existing forest preserve land; or, 5. High priority should also be -- the tract is within one-half given to acquisitions of fee title which mile of a block of forest preserve land of permit the consolidation of scattered over 1,000 acres; or, tracts of state land.

-- the tract lies at an elevation 6. Fee title or appropriate greater than 2,500 feet; or, conservation easements should also be acquired to protect critical wildlife areas -- the proposed use of the tract such as deer wintering areas, wetlands, will materially alter the surrounding habitats of rare or endangered species environment; or, or other areas of unique value, such as lands bordering or providing access to -- the tract is of significant classified or proposed wild, scenic and scenic, ecological or geologic value or recreational rivers. interest.

7. Efforts should be made, by acquired wherever possible to protect conservation easement or fee and buffer state lands. acquisition, to protect the major scenic resources of the Park along travel While the Agency has not been corridors, with particular attention to the given authority to review proposed Adirondack Northway and those scenic acquisitions before title has vested in vistas specifically identified on the the state, once new lands have been Private Land Use and Development acquired the Act requires the master Plan Map and listed in Chapter III of this plan to be revised by classifying the document. lands and setting guidelines for their management and use pursuant to the 8. The acquisition of fee title to statutory procedures (consultation with or rights-of-way across private lands the Department of Environmental that effectively prevent access to Conservation and submission to the important blocks of state land should be Governor for approval). The following pursued, except where such acquisition procedures for revisions of the master would exacerbate or cause problems of plan will be followed in connection with overuse or inappropriate use of state new acquisitions: lands. -- land acquisitions should be 9. Canoe route easements classified as promptly as possible should be purchased to reopen following acquisition and in any case Adirondack canoe routes for non- classification of new acquisitions will be motorized access in appropriate areas done annually; and, of the Park. -- prior to classification by the 10. The highly successful fishing Agency, lands acquired by the rights easement purchase program of Department of Environmental the Department of Environmental Conservation or any other state agency Conservation should be continued and will be administered on an interim basis expanded on appropriate streams. in a manner consistent with the character of the land and its capacity to with- 11. Due to the importance of the stand use and which will not foreclose forest products industry to the economy options for eventual classification. of the Adirondack region, bulk acreage purchases in fee should not normally be made where highly productive forest LAND EXCHANGE land is involved, unless such land is threatened with development that would The exchange of state lands for curtail its use for forestry purposes or its private lands within the Park poses value for the preservation of open space obvious constitutional problems, in that or of wildlife habitat. However, any given exchange must be approved conservation easements permitting the by the people in a constitutional continuation of sound forest amendment. While this process is management and other land uses cumbersome on a case-by-case basis, compatible with the open space serious difficulties are likely to be character of the Park should be encountered in attempting to obtain approval of a constitutional amendment

permitting wholesale land exchanges, the Agency, the Department of the merits of which are questionable. Environmental Conservation, the Careful consideration should be given, Department of Transportation or any however, to the desirability of a other interested state agency. Requests constitutional amendment providing a from local governments or responsible land bank of modest acreage that would private persons or organizations for plan allow the legislature to permit small revision will be given due and fair scale land exchanges. This would avoid consideration. Such revisions will be the difficult amendment process for made by the Agency, in consultation minor exchanges such as the Saranac with the Department of Environmental Lake town dump and the Piseco airport Conservation, and will be the subject of parcels, now part of Article XIV, §1 of public hearings within and without the the New York State Constitution. Park. Any resulting changes in the master plan will be submitted to the Governor for his approval as provided PLAN REVISION AND REVIEW by the Act.

The Act states that if amendments Even in the absence of acquisitions are made to the master plan, they shall or changes in land classification or be effectuated in the same manner as guidelines requiring modification of the the plan was initially adopted. Changes master plan, the Act mandates periodic in existing land use may require periodic reviews of the master plan. Planning is amendments to the plan. Such changes an on-going process and, as public use essentially involve a shift in of the state lands expands or changes in classification of lands from one major years ahead, land use controls may classification to another and would require re-analysis. The Agency will include, but are not limited to: undertake annual reviews of the master plan to address such issues as the -- the proposed construction of classification of recent acquisitions, a new campground on land previously reclassification resulting from the classified as wild forest; or, removal of non-conforming uses, modest boundary adjustments, minor -- the upgrading of a primitive technical changes, clarification or area to a wilderness area as a result of corrections and similar matters. To the removal of non-conforming uses assist in this process, the Department and/or of the acquisition of an inholding will provide, annually, to the Agency the of private land; or, following information:

-- the designation of a new wild, -- a list of new state land scenic or recreational river. acquisitions together with a summary statement of the applicable acquisition In addition, material changes in the policy guidelines, the objectives served guidelines applicable to each by each acquisition and background classification will also constitute a plan information necessary for the revision. classifications of the acquisitions.

Revisions will be undertaken as -- a list of non-conforming uses needs dictate and may be requested by removed during the previous year.

Major reviews of the master plan will notice about proposed changes in the take place every five years by the master plan are also necessary to Agency in consultation with the permit maximum public participation. In Department of Environmental addition, the Agency will make every Conservation, as required by statute, effort to publish and disseminate copies and with other interested state agencies. of the master plan and to take other Any state agency may call for such a measures to foster greater public review at more frequent intervals. In appreciation of the resources of the keeping with this recommendation, forest preserve and the Park as well as starting in 1976, the Agency, in the nature of the planning process. consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation and other Major revisions were conducted and state agencies, conducted an in-depth master plan revisions were adopted in review of the master plan leading to 1979, 1987, and 2016. various modifications therein, which were the subject of seven public hearings both within and without the UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN Park and extensive consultation with a DEVELOPMENT wide variety of interest groups in late 1978 and early 1979 and which were Section 816 of the Act directs the submitted to Governor Carey on April Department of Environmental 20, 1979, and approved by him on Conservation to develop, in consultation October 24, 1979. In l984/85 the with the Agency, individual unit Agency, in consultation with the management plans for each unit of land Department of Environmental Conser- under its jurisdiction classified in the vation, undertook a similar review and master plan. Due to the widely consultation process. Proposed dispersed nature of certain wild forest modifications to the master plan were areas, the Department may establish for the subject of similar consultation with a unit management planning purposes, wide variety of interest groups as well as individual sub-units of wild forest units two public hearings within and without which because of location, physical fea- the Park and were submitted to tures, ecological systems and use Governor Cuomo on September 22, patterns can be managed as an l986 and approved by him on November individual unit. In accordance with 4, l987. statutory mandate, all plans will conform to the guidelines and criteria set forth in Strong public involvement in the the master plan and cannot amend the whole process of revision and review master plan itself. Unit management should be encouraged. The Act plans will contain: mandates that public hearings be conducted prior to approval by the -- an inventory, at a level of Agency and the Governor of revisions to detail appropriate to the area, of the the master plan. These public hearings natural, scenic, cultural, fish and wildlife are required to be held both within and (including game and non-game species) without the Adirondack Park in recogni- and other appropriate resources of the tion of the state-wide concern for both area and an analysis of the area's the forest preserve and the Park. ecosystems; Appropriate publicity and sufficient

-- an inventory of all existing – the preservation of aquatic facilities for public or administrative use; and terrestrial habitats of the area;

-- an inventory of the types and -- the preservation and extent of actual and projected public use management of the fish and wildlife of the area; resources (including game and non-game species) of the area; -- an assessment of the impact of actual and projected public use on the -- the preservation and resources, ecosystems and public management of the lakes, ponds, rivers enjoyment of the area with particular and streams of the area, with particular attention to portions of the area attention to all proposed or designated threatened by overuse; and, wild, scenic and recreational rivers;

-- an assessment of the -- the preservation and physical, biological and social carrying management of special interest areas capacity of the area with particular such as the habitats of rare, threatened attention to portions of the area or endangered species and areas with threatened by overuse in light of its the potential for the reintroduction of resource limitations and its classification extirpated species, unique geological under the master plan. areas and historic areas or structures;

Each unit management plan will -- the identification of needed also set forth a statement of the additions or improvements to, and plans management objectives for the for providing for further appropriate protection and rehabilitation of the public use of, the area consistent with its area's resources and ecosystems and carrying capacity; for public use of the area consistent with its carrying capacity. -- the removal of such non-conforming uses as may remain; These management objectives will and, address, on a site-specific basis as may be pertinent to the area, such issues as: -- the identification, in intensive use, historic and appropriate portions of -- actions to minimize adverse wild forest areas accessible by motor impacts on the resources of the area; vehicles, of measures that can be taken to improve access to and enjoyment of -- the rehabilitation of such these lands, and associated structures portions of the area as may suffer from and improvements, by persons with overuse or resource degradation; disabilities.

-- the regulation or limitation of Unit management plans will also public use such that the carrying address the administrative actions and capacity of the area is not exceeded and the minimum facilities necessary on a the types of measures necessary to site specific basis, as may be pertinent achieve that objective; to the area to attain the stated management objectives of such area.

Schedules for achievement of such The Department of Environmental objectives will be included in each unit Conservation has made significant management plan. The land progress in getting the unit management characteristics and the recommended planning process underway. This objectives for each area will be related progress should be continued so that all to and integrated with the characteristics unit management plans will be and management objectives for completed before the next five-year adjacent public and private land areas. review of the master plan in l989/90. General recommendations for future The Department of Environmental acquisition will be included as Conservation should commit the appropriate. necessary resources for that purpose.

An initial draft of the unit management plan for each state land area INVASIVE SPECIES including alternative management objectives, where appropriate, will be The negative impacts of invasive submitted to the Agency for review and species on natural forest and aquatic comment, prior to the preparation of the communities are well documented. final draft plan for public review. Colonization and unrestrained growth of invasive species cause the loss of Opportunity will be made for review biodiversity, interruption of normal and comment on the draft unit hydrology, suppression of native management plans by the public and vegetation, and significant aesthetic, other interested parties, and a public human safety and economic impacts. meeting or meetings will be convened Terrestrial and aquatic invasive species as appropriate for that purpose. have been identified at increasing rates of colonization along roadsides in Final unit management plans will be campgrounds, and in water bodies of prepared by the Department of the Forest Preserve. Some of these Environmental Conservation after due species have the potential to colonize consideration of all comments and backcountry lands, lakes and ponds and recommendations made on the public degrade natural resources of the Forest review draft. The Commissioner of the Preserve. Department of Environmental Conservation will adopt each final unit Efforts should be made to restore management plan which will then be and protect the native ecological filed with the Agency. The Department communities through early detection of Environmental Conservation will and rapid response efforts to eradicate report annually to the Agency on or control existing or newly identified progress made toward the im- invasive species populations. Subject to plementation of each adopted unit existing policy and guidelines, the management plan. Department will use the basic tools needed to preserve, protect and restore Any material modification in adopted the natural native ecosystems of the unit management plans will be made Forest Preserve. following the procedure for original unit plan preparation.

SPECIAL HISTORIC AREA UNIT consultation with the Department of MANAGEMENT PLANS Environmental Conservation. Via the master plan, the Agency has the authority to establish general guidelines This master plan also provides for and criteria for the management of state special historic area unit management lands, subject, of course, to the approval plans for the development and of the Governor. On the other hand, the management of state historic sites. This Department of Environmental special procedure is designed to Conservation and other state agencies address the unique problems associated with respect to the more modest with these types of facilities. Such acreage of land under their jurisdictions, special historic area unit management have responsibility for the administration plans will be the subject of public and management of these lands in hearings and will be submitted to the compliance with the guidelines and agency for its approval as being criteria laid down by the master plan. consistent with the master plan prior to

their implementation. In accordance with its administrative

and management responsibilities, the

Department of Environmental INTERPRETATION AND Conservation is charged with the duty to APPLICATION OF THE MASTER prepare, in consultation with the PLAN Agency, individual unit management plans for the units of land classified in Decades of experience under the the master plan. The unit management master plan have confirmed that plans must apply the general guidelines questions of interpretation of the master and criteria in the master plan and plan as applied to a given activity or cannot amend the master plan itself. land use arise from time to time. This is Unit management plans shall be particularly the case in the context of regarded as a mechanism to refine and those guidelines that are quite general apply the general guidelines and criteria in character. During the public hearings in the master plan to specific conditions and consultations preceding the l978/79 on the ground, at a level of detail ap- revision of the master plan, there was propriate to administration and manage- considerable public comment on the ment. When finally adopted by the need to clarify the relationship of the Department, these unit management Agency to the Department of plans will assist significantly in resolving Environmental Conservation and other questions of interpretation and state agencies on matters of application of the master plan. interpretation and application of the guidelines of the master plan. The 1979 revision of the master plan expressly extended the unit In this regard, it is well to remember management plan concept to the special that the legislature has established a case of historic areas. In addition, two-tiered structure regarding state neither the Act nor the master plan lands in the Adirondack Park. The excludes the possibility of preparation of Agency is responsible for long-range individual unit management plans for planning and the establishment of basic other land classifications such as state policy for state lands in the Park, in

administrative areas -- an approach which would be fully consistent with the II. CLASSIFICATION basic structure of the Act. SYSTEM AND

In light of the above principles, the GUIDELINES following guidelines will apply to questions of interpretation and application of the master plan: BASIS AND PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION -- The Agency will be responsible, as a policy matter, for THE ACT REQUIRES the Agency to general interpretations of the master classify the state lands in the Park plan itself either on its own initiative, at according to "their characteristics and the request of any interested state capacity to withstand use." This section agency, or, for state agencies other than of the master plan will describe the the Department of Environmental factors which the Agency has taken into Conservation, in connection with its account in formulating the classification review of state projects under Section system set forth in the balance of this 814 of the Act. chapter and will explain the basic purpose of the system and the guide- -- The Agency will be lines for management and use which fol- responsible for determining whether a low. This classification system reflects proposed individual unit management the work of the Temporary Study plan complies with the general Commission on the Future of the guidelines and criteria set forth in the Adirondacks as refined by additional master plan. field work and analysis by the Agency at the time the master plan was first -- The Department of prepared in 1972. In addition, a special Environmental Conservation (or other Department of Environmental Con- appropriate state agencies) will be servation task force set up in 1972 responsible for the application of the provided extremely valuable assistance master plan and individual unit in the formulation of this system. Many management plans with respect to years of experience under the master administration and management of the plan and considerable additional field state lands under its jurisdiction. work have led to certain additional refinements but the basic classification -- The Agency and the system remains intact. Department of Environmental Conservation (or other appropriate state A fundamental determinant of land agencies) will enter into memoranda of classification is the physical understanding designed to implement characteristics of the land or water these guidelines in actual practice. The which have a direct bearing upon the Agency and the Department of capacity of the land to accept human Environmental Conservation have use. Soil, slope, elevation and water are operated under such a memorandum of the primary elements of these physical understanding since l982. characteristics and they are found in widely varied associations. For example, the fertility, erosiveness and depth of

soil, the severity of slopes, the bodies of water with wild strains of elevational characteristics reflected in native trout. microclimates, the temperature, chemistry, volume and turnover rate of In addition, another significant streams or lakes, all affect the carrying determinant of land classification capacity of the land or water both from involves certain intangible the standpoint of the construction of considerations that have an inevitable facilities and the amount of human use impact on the character of land. Some the land or water itself can absorb. By of these are social or and large, these factors highlight the psychological--such as the sense of essential fragility of significant portions remoteness and degree of wildness of the state lands within the Park. These available to users of a particular area, fragile areas include most lands above which may result from the size of an 2,500 feet in altitude, particularly the area, the type and density of its forest boreal (spruce-fir), sub-alpine and alpine cover, the ruggedness of the terrain or zones, as well as low-lying areas such merely the views over other areas of the as bogs, fens, marshes and other Park obtainable from some vantage wetlands. In addition, rivers, streams, point. Without these elements an area lakes and ponds and their environs should not be classified as wilderness, often present special physical problems. even though the physical and biological factors would dictate that the limitations Biological considerations also play of wilderness management are an important role in the structuring of the essential. classification system. Many of these are associated with the physical limitations In such cases, as will be seen, a just described; for instance many plants primitive designation would be required. of the boreal, subalpine and alpine Other classification determinants are zones are less able to withstand more concrete, for example the trampling than species associated with suitability of a given system of lakes and lower elevation life zones. Wetland ponds for canoeing or guideboating, the ecosystems frequently are finely ability of larger bodies of water to balanced and incapable of absorbing provide for adequately distributed material changes resulting from motorboat use, or the accessibility of a construction or intensive human use. In tract of land to a public highway, and its addition, wildlife values and wildlife attractiveness, permitting the habitats are relevant to the development of a campground or other characteristics of the land and some- intensive use facility. times determine whether a particular kind of human use should be Finally, the classification system encouraged or prohibited, for example takes into account the established the impact of snowmobiles on deer facilities on the land, the uses now being wintering yards, the effect of numbers or made by the public and the policies hikers or campers near the nesting followed by the various administering habitat of rare, threatened or agencies. Many of these factors are endangered species like the bald eagle self-evident: the presence of a highway or spruce grouse, or the problems determines the classification of a travel associated with motorized access to corridor; the presence of an existing campground or ski area requires the

classification of intensive use. The overlays to the basic land extent of existing facilities and uses classification(s) through which the which might make it impractical to corridor passes. attempt to recreate a wilderness or wild forest atmosphere is also a Guidelines for the lands falling consideration. This is not to imply that within each major classification and when present uses or facilities are various special management guidelines degrading the resource they should be for unique resources within these major continued, but their presence cannot be classifications are set forth in the ignored. The unique mixture of public remaining portions of this chapter. and private land within the Park also Insofar as forest preserve lands are requires that account be taken of concerned, no structures, improvements facilities and uses being made on or uses not now established on the contiguous or nearby private lands. forest reserve are permitted by these Thus a large private inholding subject to guidelines and in many cases more or threatened by some form of intensive restrictive management is provided for. use might prevent the designation of an Obviously, these guidelines are subject otherwise suitable tract of state land as to any future legal rulings further wilderness. restricting uses of the forest preserve and, as already noted, they are not to be The above described factors are considered as attempts to make legal obviously complex and their application determinations on unresolved issues is, in certain instances, subjective, since regarding the constitutional ap- the value of resource quality or propriateness of any such structures, character cannot be precisely evaluated improvements or uses. or measured. Nonetheless, the Agency believes that the classification system In addition, the designation of state described below reflects the character administrative areas and historic areas and capacity to withstand use of all state in the master plan should not be taken lands within the Adirondack Park in as lending weight to the constitutional conformity with the provisions of the Act. appropriateness of the general treatment of these lands by the state, Nine basic categories result from either legislatively or administratively, as this classification: non-forest preserve. These new classifications seek only to reflect, in Wilderness terms of land use, what has long existed Primitive in the Park irrespective of constitutional Canoe questions. A constitutional amendment Wild Forest should, however, be considered which Intensive Use would put the propriety of these Historic non-forest preserve types of land uses State Administrative beyond question and provide a modest Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers land bank to permit future acquisitions of Travel Corridors these types of lands by the state.

The Wild, Scenic and Recreational Nothing in the guidelines for lands Rivers and Travel Corridors falling within each major classification classifications are essentially corridor shall be deemed to prevent the

Department of Environmental by a non-living power source contained Conservation, or any other state agency on or within the device. administering such lands, from providing for more restrictive management where 3. All Terrain Vehicle--a motor necessary to comply with constitutional vehicle designed or used for cross requirements or to protect the natural country travel on unimproved roads or resources of such lands. trails. The term includes jeeps or other four wheel drive automobiles, dirt or trail While care has been employed in bikes and all forms of "ATVs", "ATCs", compiling and depicting the information and "ORVs", but excludes snowmobiles. shown on the map forming part of this master plan, it should be emphasized 4. Bicycle--a non-motorized, that, due to possible base map human-powered, cycle designed or inaccuracies and the large scale of the used for cross country travel on roads or map the location of the classification trails. system boundaries are subject to precise definition on the site by the 5. Bicycle Trail -- a marked trail, Adirondack Park Agency, in consultation designated for travel by bicycles, with the Department of Environmental located and designed to provide access Conservation, the Department of in a manner causing the least effect on Transportation and such other state the local environment. agencies as may be involved. Similarly, acreage and mileage statistics in this 6. Boat Launching Site--a site plan are not the product of actual providing for the launching of trailered surveys and may vary when compared boats, with ramp and attendant parking to data from other sources. facilities.

7. Campground--a concentrated, DEFINITIONS developed camping area with controlled access, not meeting the standards for As used herein, the following terms individual, primitive tent sites or shall have the following meanings: lean-tos, which is designed to accommodate a significant number of 1. Administrative Road--an overnight visitors and may incorporate improved way maintained by the associated day-use facilities. Department of Environmental Campgrounds are commonly known as Conservation for the principal purpose "campsites" by the Department of of facilitating administration of state Environmental Conservation. lands or of allowing access for firefighting equipment and not normally 8. Cross Country Ski Trail--a open for public use of motorized marked and maintained path or way for vehicles. This type of road has been cross country ski or snowshoe travel, called a State Truck Trail in older which has the same dimensions and editions of this Plan. character and may also serve as a foot trail, designed to provide reasonable 2. Aircraft--a device for access in a manner causing the least transporting people or material that effect on the surrounding environment travels through the air and is propelled

and not constructed, maintained or 16. Horse Mounting Platform – a groomed with the use of motor vehicles. rustic structure constructed of natural materials and designed for mounting a 9. Day-Use Area--a developed horse. facility designed to accommodate a significant number of visitors on a 17. Horse Trail--a path marked day-use basis only. The term includes and maintained for travel by horses, such facilities as beaches, parkways, located and designed to provide for memorial highways, the Mt. Van reasonable access in a manner causing Hoevenberg area, the alpine ski centers the least effect on the local environment. at Whiteface and Gore Mountains, boat launching sites and similar facilities. 18. Improved Cross Country Ski Trail--a marked and maintained path for 10. Fireplace--a permanent cross country ski use designed for structure constructed of stone and competitive or intensive use conditions cement designed to contain and control which may be constructed, maintained camp fires. or groomed with the use of motor vehicles. 11. Fire Ring--a temporary cluster of rocks designed to contain and control 19. Improvement--any change in camp fires which may contain, in fire or addition to land, which materially sensitive areas, a cement slab. affects the existing use, condition or appearance of the land or any 12. Fish Barrier Dam--a vegetation thereon, including but not man-made device or structure used to limited to foot, horse, and bicycle trails, prevent the upstream or downstream roads, administrative roads, snowmobile movement of fish for the purpose of trails, cross country ski trails, improved protecting a high-value native fishery. cross country ski trails, trail heads, picnic areas and individual primitive tent 13. Fishing and Waterway sites. Access Sites--a site for fishing or other water access with attendant parking 20. Lean-to--an open front shelter facilities which does not contain a ramp made of natural materials suitable for for or otherwise permit the launching of transient residence, constructed trailered boats. according to a standard Department of Environmental Conservation plan and 14. Foot Trail--a marked and located so as to accommodate the need maintained path or way for foot travel for shelter in a manner least intrusive on located and designed to provide for the surrounding environment. reasonable access in a manner causing the least effect on the surrounding 21. Lean-to Cluster-- more than environment. two lean-tos within sight or sound of each other and generally separated by a 15. Horse Barn--a rustic structure distance of less than one-quarter mile. designed to provide temporary shelter for a small number of horses. 22. Motor Vehicle--a device for transporting people, supplies or material, incorporating a motor or an

engine of any type for propulsion and classification specified in the master with wheels, tracks, skids, skis, air plan. cushion or other contrivance 27. Peripheral Visitor for traveling on or adjacent to land and Registration Structure--a primitive water or through water. The term structure of natural materials open on at includes such vehicles as automobiles, least one side and not designed for trucks, jeeps, motorbikes, dirt or trail human habitation, located at the bikes, any type of all-terrain vehicles, periphery of units of state land, and duffle carriers, snowmobiles, snowcats, intended to provide information and, bulldozers and other earth-moving where appropriate, control of access to equipment and motorboats. such lands.

23. Motorboat--a device for 28. Primitive Tent Site--a transporting people or material that designated tent site of an undeveloped travels over, on, or under the water and character providing space for not more is propelled by a non-living power than three tents, which may have an source on or within the device. associated pit privy and fire ring, designed to accommodate a maximum 24. Motorized of eight people on a temporary or Equipment-- machines not designed for transient basis, and located so as to transporting people, supplies or accommodate the need for shelter in a materials, or for earth moving but incor- manner least intrusive on the porating a motor, engine or other non- surrounding environment. living power source to accomplish a task. The term includes such machines 29. Ranger Stations or Ranger as chain saws, brush saws, rotary or Cabins--enclosed buildings constructed other mowers, rock drills, cement mixers or maintained by the Department of and generators. Environmental Conservation, suitable for human habitation and manned 25. Natural seasonally or year-round by Materials-- construction components administrative personnel to facilitate drawn from the immediate project site or administrative control of lands and materials brought into the construction public use thereof under the jurisdiction site that conform in size, shape and of the Department. physical characteristics to those naturally present in the vicinity of the 30. River--a flowing body of water, project site. Such materials include or a stream or a section, portion or stone, logs, and sawn and treated tributary thereof, including a river, timber. Natural materials may be stream, creek, run, kill, rill, branch or fastened or anchored by use of bolts, lake. nails, spikes or similar means. 31. River Area--a river and its 26. Non-Conforming Use--a immediate environs, including river structure, improvement or human use or banks and the land on both sides of the activity existing, constructed or river up to a distance of at least conducted on or in relation to land within one-quarter mile but not more than a given classification that does not one-half mile. comply with the guidelines for such

do not materially alter the natural 32. Road--an improved or partially character or resource quality of the improved way designed for travel by water body, and which are made of automobiles and which may also be natural materials wherever possible. used by other types of motor vehicles except snowmobiles, unless the way is 36. Structure--any object a designated snowmobile trail; and is, constructed, installed or placed on land to facilitate land use, including but not (i) either maintained by a state limited to bridges, buildings, ranger agency or a local government and open stations or ranger cabins, sheds, to the general public; lean-tos, pit privies, picnic tables, horse barns, horse hitching posts and rails, fire (ii) maintained by private towers, observer cabins, telephone and persons or corporations primarily for electric light lines, mobile homes, private use but which may also be open campers, trailers, signs, docks and to the general public for all or a segment dams. thereof; or, 37. Tent Platform--a platform, (iii) maintained by the with or without walls and other Department of Environmental attachments, erected as a base for Conservation or other state agency and tenting or similar camping activity. open to the public on a discretionary basis. 38. Trail Head--a point of entrance to state land which may 33. Snowmobiles--a motor contain some or all of the following: vehicle designed solely for travel on vehicle parking, trail signs and snow or ice by means of a combination peripheral visitor registration structures. of tracks and a ski or skis. 39. Wetlands--any land annually 34. Snowmobile Trail--a marked subject to periodic or continual trail of essentially the same character as inundation by water and commonly a foot trail designated by the referred to as a bog, fen or marsh, Department of Environmental which is (i) one acre or more in size, or Conservation on which, when covered (ii) located adjacent to a body of water, by snow and ice, snowmobiles are including a permanent stream, with allowed to travel and which may double which there is free interchange of water as a foot trail at other times of year. at the surface, in which case there is no size limitation, and which (iii) meet the 35. Stream Improvement technical definition of 578.3(r) of the Structure for Fisheries Management Adirondack Park Agency Rules and Purposes--a structure and/or Regulations. improvement, including but not limited to, fish barrier dams, small rock or log 40. Wildlife Management dams, fish passage structures, minor Structure--a structure or device diking, cribbing, bank stabilization and designed for inventory or research stream deflectors and other structures purposes or for the protection or or improvements designed solely for restoration of threatened or endangered fisheries management purposes which species, including but not limited to

animal enclosures or exclosures, traps, bat mine or cave gates, raptor hacking towers, nesting towers or boxes, that does not materially alter the natural character or resource quality of the land and that is made of natural materials whenever possible.

WILDERNESS official personnel that were incompatible with wilderness. However, the extent of Definition these non-conforming uses was very modest from the standpoint of the total A wilderness area, in contrast acreage involved. Since 1972 all but a with those areas where man and his few of those non-conforming uses have own works dominate the landscape, been removed by the Department of is an area where the earth and its Environmental Conservation. community of life are untrammeled by man--where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. A GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT wilderness area is further defined to AND USE mean an area of state land or water having a primeval character, without Basic guidelines significant improvement or permanent human habitation, which 1. The primary wilderness is protected and managed so as to management guideline will be to preserve, enhance and restore, where achieve and perpetuate a natural plant necessary, its natural conditions, and and animal community where man's which (1) generally appears to have influence is not apparent. been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's 2. In wilderness areas: work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for a) no additions or expansions solitude or a primitive and of non-conforming uses will be unconfined type of recreation; (3) has permitted; at least ten thousand acres of contiguous land and water or is of b) any remaining sufficient size and character as to non-conforming uses that were not make practicable its preservation and removed by the December 31, 1975 use in an unimpaired condition; and deadline provided for in the original (4) may also contain ecological, version of the master plan will be geological or other features of removed by March 3l, l987; scientific, educational, scenic or historical value. c) non-conforming uses resulting from newly-classified Significant portions of the state wilderness areas will be removed as lands within the Park are in a wilderness rapidly as possible and in any case by or near-wilderness condition today. the end of the third year following These areas constitute nearly 20% of all classification; and, designated federal and state wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains and 85% of d) primitive tent sites that do the designated wilderness in the eleven not conform to the separation distance northeastern states. At the time of the guidelines will be brought into original enactment of this master plan, a compliance on a phased basis and in majority of these areas contained some any case by the end of the third year structures and improvements or were following adoption of a unit management subjected to uses by the public or by plan for the area.

3. No new non-conforming uses back a minimum of 100 feet from the will be permitted in any designated mean high water mark of lakes, ponds, wilderness area. rivers or major streams.

4. Construction of additional 9. All pit privies will be located a conforming structures and minimum of 150 feet from the mean high improvements will be restrained to water mark of any lake, pond, river, or comply with wilderness standards for stream or wetland. primitive and unconfined types of recreation and to permit better maintenance and rehabilitation of Structures and improvements existing structures and improvements. 1. The structures and 5. No new structures or improvements listed below will be improvements in any wilderness area considered as conforming to wilderness will be constructed except in conformity standards and their maintenance, with finally adopted unit management rehabilitation and construction plans. This guideline will not prevent permitted: ordinary maintenance or rehabilitation of conforming structures or improvements, -- scattered Adirondack minor trail relocation, or the removal of lean-tos, not including lean-to clusters, non-conforming uses. below 3,500 feet in elevation;

6. All conforming structures and -- primitive tent sites below improvements will be designed and 3,500 feet in elevation that are out of located so as to blend with the sight and sound and generally surrounding environment and to require one-quarter mile from any other only minimal maintenance. primitive tent site or lean-to:

7. All management and (i) where physical and administrative action and interior biological conditions are favorable, facilities in wilderness areas will be individual unit management plans may designed to emphasize the permit the establishment, on a site- self-sufficiency of the user to assume a specific basis, of primitive tent sites high degree of responsibility for environ- between 3,500 and 4,000 feet in mentally-sound use of such areas and elevation, and, for his or her own health, safety and welfare. (ii) where severe terrain constraints prevent the attainment of the 8. Any new, reconstructed or guideline for a separation distance of relocated lean-tos or primitive tent sites generally one-quarter mile between planned for shorelines of lakes, ponds, primitive tent sites, individual unit rivers or major streams will be located management plans may provide, on a so as to be reasonably screened from site-specific basis, for lesser separation view from the water body to avoid distances, provided such sites remain intruding on the natural character of the out of sight and sound from each other, shoreline and public enjoyment and use be consistent with the carrying capacity thereof. Any such lean- tos will be set of the affected area and are generally

not less than 500 feet from any other essential to the preservation of primitive tent site; wilderness wildlife values and resources. -- pit privies; 2. All other structures and -- foot trails; improvements, except for interior ranger stations themselves (guidelines for -- cross country ski trails; which are specified below), will be considered non-conforming. Any -- foot trail and cross country remaining non-conforming structures ski trail bridges constructed of natural that were to have been removed by the materials and, where absolutely December 31, 1975 deadline but have necessary, ladders constructed of not yet been removed, will be removed natural materials; by March 3l, l987. These include but are not limited to: -- horse trails, except that any new horse trails will be limited to those -- lean-to clusters; that can be developed by conversion of -- tent platforms; appropriate abandoned roads, -- horse barns; snowmobile trails, or administrative -- boat docks; roads; -- storage sheds and other buildings; -- horse trail bridges -- fire towers and observer constructed of natural materials; cabins; -- telephone and electrical lines; -- horse hitching posts and -- snowmobile trails; rails; -- roads and administrative roads; -- existing or new fish barrier -- helicopter platforms; and, dams, constructed of natural materials -- buoys. wherever possible;

-- existing dams on established impoundments, except that, in the reconstruction or rehabilitation of such dams, natural materials will be used wherever possible and no new dams will be constructed;

-- directional, informational and interpretive signs of rustic materials and in limited numbers;

-- peripheral visitor registration structures; and,

-- wildlife management structures on a temporary basis where

Ranger stations equipment or aircraft for day-to-day administration, maintenance or 1. No new interior stations will research. be constructed and all remaining interior stations, other than Lake Colden, will be 3. Use of motorized equipment phased out on a scheduled basis or aircraft, but not motor vehicles, by determined by the Department of administrative personnel may be Environmental Conservation, in favor of permitted for a specific major stations or other facilities at the administrative, maintenance, periphery of the wilderness areas at rehabilitation, or construction project if major points of access to provide that project involves conforming needed supervision of public use. This structures or improvements, or the phase-out should be accomplished as removal of non-conforming structures or soon as feasible, as specified in the improvements, upon the written individual unit management plans. approval of the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation. 2. New methods of communication and supply, complying 4. Such use of motorized with wilderness guidelines, will be equipment or aircraft will be confined to employed with respect to all ranger off-peak seasons for the area in stations maintained by the Department question and normally will be of Environmental Conservation after undertaken at periodic intervals of three December 31, 1975. to five years, unless extraordinary conditions, such as a fire, major 3. Due to heavy existing and blow-down or flood mandate more projected winter use in the Eastern High frequent work or work during peak Peak area and the presence of the most periods. rugged terrain in the Adirondacks, the Lake Colden station together with an 5. Irrespective of the above associated on-ground line (i.e., a line guidelines, use of motorized equipment laid on or just under the ground surface or aircraft, but not motor vehicles, for a which rapidly becomes covered by specific major research project leaves) for telephone communication conducted by or under the supervision may be retained indefinitely but their of a state agency will be permitted if status will be periodically reviewed to such project is for purposes essential to determine if their eventual removal is the preservation of wilderness values feasible. and resources, no feasible alternative exists for conducting such research on other state or private lands, such use is Motor vehicles, motorized equipment minimized, and the project has been and aircraft specifically approved in writing by the Commissioner of Environmental 1. Public use of motor vehicles, Conservation after consultation with the motorized equipment and aircraft will be Agency. prohibited. 6. Irrespective of the above or 2. Administrative personnel will any other guidelines in this master plan, not use motor vehicles, motorized use of motor vehicles, motorized

equipment and aircraft will be permitted, -- prohibit all administrative use by or under the supervision of of such roads and trails by motor vehi- appropriate officials, in cases of sudden, cles; and, actual and ongoing emergencies involving the protection or preservation -- block such roads and trails by of human life or intrinsic resource logs, boulders or similar means other values -- for example, search and than gates. rescue operations, forest fires, or oil spills or similar, large-scale 3. During the phase-out period: contamination of water bodies. -- the use of motorized vehicles 7. Written logs will be kept by by administrative personnel for trans- the Department of Environmental portation of materials and personnel will Conservation recording use of be limited to the minimum required for motorized vehicles, motorized proper interim administration and the equipment and aircraft. The Department removal of non-conforming uses; and, will prepare an annual report providing details of such motorized uses and the -- maintenance of such roads reasons therefore and file it with the and trails will be curtailed and efforts Agency. made to encourage revegetation with lower forms of vegetation to permit their conversion to foot trails and, where Roads, snowmobile trails and appropriate, horse trails. administrative roads

1. No new roads, snowmobile or Bicycles administrative roads will be allowed. l. Public use of bicycles will be 2. Existing roads and prohibited. administrative roads that were to have been closed by the December 31, 1975 2. Administrative personnel will deadline but have not yet been removed not use bicycles for day-to-day will be closed by no later than March 3l, administration. Use of bicycles may be l987. Any non-conforming roads, permitted for specific major snowmobile trails or resulting from administrative research, maintenance, newly classified wilderness areas will rehabilitation or construction projects also be phased out as rapidly as involving conforming structures or possible and in any case will be closed improvements, or the removal of by the end of the third calendar year non-conforming structures in the following classification. In each case the discretion of the Department of Department of Environmental Environmental Conservation. Conservation will:

-- close such roads and Flora and fauna snowmobile trails to motor vehicles as may be open to the public; There will be no intentional introduction in wilderness areas of species of flora or fauna that are not

historically associated with the number of persons permitted to have Adirondack environment, except: (i) access to or remain in a wilderness area species which have already been or portion thereof during a specified established in the Adirondack period; environment, or (ii) as necessary to protect the integrity of established native -- the temporary closure of all flora and fauna. Efforts will be made to or portions of wilderness areas to permit restore extirpated native species where rehabilitative measures. such restoration appears feasible. 3. Educational programs continue to improve public Recreational use and overuse understanding of backcountry use, including an anti-litter and pack-in, 1. The following types of pack-out campaign, should be recreational use are compatible with undertaken. Additional efforts should be wilderness and should be encouraged undertaken where appropriate. as long as the degree and intensity of such use does not endanger the wilderness resource itself: Boundary structures and improvements and boundary marking -- hiking, mountaineering, tenting, hunting, fishing, trapping, 1. Where a wilderness snowshoeing, ski touring, birding, nature boundary abuts a public highway, the study, and other forms of primitive and Department of Environmental unconfined recreation. Conservation will be permitted, in conformity with a duly adopted unit Access by horses, including management plan, to locate within 500 horse and wagon, while permitted in feet from a public highway right-of-way, wilderness, will be strictly controlled and on a site-specific basis, trailheads, limited to suitable locations and trail parking areas, fishing and waterway conditions to prevent adverse access sites, picnic areas, ranger environmental damage. stations or other facilities for peripheral control of public use, and, in limited 2. Each individual unit instances, snowmobile trails. management plan will seek to determine the physical, biological and social 2. Where a wilderness carrying capacity of the wilderness boundary abuts a water body accessible resource. Where the degree and to the public by motorboat, the intensity of permitted recreational uses Department of Environmental threaten the wilderness resource, ap- Conservation will be permitted, in propriate administrative and regulatory conformity with a duly adopted unit man- measures will be taken to limit such use agement plan, to provide, on a to the capability of the resource. Such site-specific basis, for ranger stations or administrative and regulatory measures other facilities for peripheral control of may include, but need not be limited to: public use or for the location of small, unobtrusive docks made of natural -- the limitation by permit or materials on such shorelines in limited other appropriate means of the total instances where access to trailheads or

the potential for resource degradation resource concerns that may be may make this desirable. particularly relevant to the administration of the area and the preparation of the 3. Special wilderness area individual management plans by the boundary markers will be designed and Department of Environmental Conser- installed at major access points to vation. enhance public recognition of wilderness boundaries and wilderness restrictions. PRIMITIVE

Definition Designation of Wilderness Areas A primitive area is an area of land The application of the wilderness or water that is either: definition and criteria described above results in the current designation under 1. Essentially wilderness in this master plan of twenty-one character but, (a) contains structures, wilderness areas scattered throughout improvements, or uses that are the Adirondacks. These areas inconsistent with wilderness, as encompass approximately 1,145,837 defined, and whose removal, though acres or about forty-two percent of the a long term objective, cannot be pro- forest preserve within the Adirondack vided for by a fixed deadline, and/or, Park. Virtually every Adirondack (b) contains, or is contiguous to, ecosystem is represented in these private lands that are of a size and wilderness areas, from the alpine, influence to prevent wilderness sub-alpine and boreal (spruce-fir) designation; or, communities of the higher mountains through various mixtures of hardwoods 2. Of a size and character not at the middle elevations to the lowland meeting wilderness standards, but lakes and ponds and a variety of where the fragility of the resource or wetland environments -- truly an other factors require wilderness unparalleled spectrum of wilderness management. resources for this and future generations of New Yorkers. The definition recognizes two basic types of primitive areas: (i) where the These areas are identified and their ultimate goal is clearly to upgrade the boundaries delineated on the map area to wilderness at some future time, forming part of this master plan. A however distant, when the general description of each designated non-conforming uses can be removed wilderness, identifying the principal and/or acquisition of private tracts is features and facilities of the area and accomplished, and, (ii) where eventual specifying the non-conforming uses that wilderness classification is impossible or were not removed by the original extremely unlikely. December 31, 1975 deadline or that exist as a result of recent acquisition An example of the first type would and, in each case, remain in existence be the existence of a fire tower and is contained in Chapter II. These associated structures and improvements descriptions also point out certain (observer cabins, telephone lines, etc.)

whose precise date of removal cannot (a) No additions or be ascertained until the new aerial expansions of non-conforming uses will surveillance program of the Department be permitted. of Environmental Conservation is fully implemented and communication (b) Any remaining systems modernized. Another example non-conforming uses that were to have would be a private or minor public road been removed by the original December traversing a tract otherwise suitable for 31, 1975 deadline but have not been wilderness designation or separating removed will be removed by March 3l, such an area from a designated l987. wilderness. Finally, an extensive private inholding or a series of smaller private (c) Those non-conforming inholdings whose eventual acquisition is uses of essentially a permanent nature desirable but cannot now be provided whose removal, though anticipated, for, might so affect a potential cannot be provided for by a fixed wilderness area as to require primitive deadline will be phased out on a designation. reasonable timetable as soon as their removal becomes feasible. The second type includes smaller tracts that are most unlikely to attain (d) Non-conforming uses wilderness standards, such as a small resulting from newly classified primitive island in close proximity to a highly areas will be removed as rapidly as developed shoreline, or larger tracts possible, except for those described in c with non-conforming uses, such as a above, and in any case by the end of railroad or major public highway, that the third year following classification. are essentially permanent, but where in each case the high quality or fragility of (e) Primitive tent sites that the resource requires wilderness do not conform to the separation management. distance guidelines will be brought into compliance on a phased basis and in any case by the third year following adoption of the unit management plan Guidelines for Management and for the area. Use 3. No new, non-conforming Basic guidelines uses will be permitted in any primitive area. 1. The primary primitive management guideline will be to 4. Upon the removal of all non- achieve and maintain in each conforming uses, a designated primitive designated primitive area a condition as area that otherwise meets wilderness close to wilderness as possible, so as to standards will be reclassified as perpetuate a natural plant and animal wilderness. community where man's influence is relatively unapparent. 5. Construction of additional conforming structures and maintenance 2. In primitive areas: of existing facilities and improvements

will follow the guidelines for wilderness Primitive Recreational Trail areas. In the Essex Chain Lakes 6. No new structures or Primitive Area and the Pine Lake improvements in primitive areas will be Primitive Area only, former all-season constructed except in conformity with roads capable of withstanding such use finally adopted unit management plans. may be designated as Primitive This guideline will not prevent ordinary Recreational Trails for use by foot, maintenance rehabilitation or minor horse, horse and wagon, bicycle, ski, relocation of conforming structures or snowshoe and other non-motorized improvements or the removal of non- recreational activities. The Department conforming uses. may maintain a Primitive Recreational Trail by periodic, but not usual or 7. All conforming structures and routine, use of motor vehicles and improvements will be located so as to motorized equipment for specific major blend with the surrounding environment maintenance, rehabilitation or and to require only minimal construction purposes during off-peak maintenance. seasons, unless extraordinary conditions, such as a fire, major blow- 8. All management and down, or flood mandate more frequent administrative actions and interior work or work during peak periods. facilities in primitive areas will be designed to emphasize the self-sufficiency of the user to assume a Structures and improvements high degree of responsibility for environmentally sound use of such 1. All structures and areas and for his or her own health, improvements that conform to safety and welfare. wilderness guidelines will be acceptable in primitive areas. 9. Any new, reconstructed or relocated lean-tos or individual primitive 2. In addition, existing tent sites located on shorelines of lakes, structures and improvements ponds, rivers or major streams will be located so as to be reasonably screened (a) whose removal, from the water body to avoid intruding though anticipated, cannot be provided on the natural character of the shoreline for by a fixed deadline, or, and public enjoyment and use thereof. Any such lean-tos will be set back a (b) in the case of areas not minimum of 100 feet from the mean high destined to become wilderness, whose water mark of lakes, ponds, rivers or retention is compatible with the major streams. character of the area and whose removal is not essential to protect the 10. All pit privies will be located a resource, will also be permissible, in minimum of 150 feet from the mean high each case as specified in a duly water mark of any lake, pond, river, adopted unit management plan. stream or wetland. 3. Non-conforming uses, other than those that meet the criteria in

section 2 above, will be removed by no Roads, snowmobile trails and later than March 3l, l987. administrative roads

1. The guidelines specified for Ranger stations wilderness areas will also apply to primitive areas, except that: Ranger stations will be subject to the same guidelines as in wilderness -- continued use of existing areas, except that in areas not destined roads, snowmobile trails and to become wilderness or in other special administrative roads by administrative situations the indefinite retention of such personnel will be permitted, to the extent stations may be provided for as necessary to reach and maintain specified by the Department of structures and improvements whose Environmental Conservation in a duly removal, though anticipated, cannot be adopted unit management plan. effected by a fixed deadline or, in the case of primitive areas not destined to become wilderness, whose presence is Motor vehicles, motorized equipment of an essentially permanent character; and aircraft and,

1. All uses of motor vehicles, -- existing roads now legally motorized equipment and aircraft open to the public may remain open for permitted under wilderness guidelines motor vehicles at the discretion of the will also be permitted in primitive areas. Department of Environmental Conservation pending 2. In the Essex Chain Lakes eventual wilderness classification, if and Pine Lake Primitive Areas, use of their continued use will not adversely motor vehicles and motorized affect the character of the resources of equipment will be permitted as the primitive area or impinge upon the described under “Primitive Recreational proper management of an adjacent Trail”. wilderness area; 3. Additionally, the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment and -- existing snowmobile trails aircraft by administrative personnel will now legally open to the public may be permitted to reach and maintain remain open for snowmobiles at the existing structures, improvements or discretion of the Department of ranger stations: Environmental Conservation pending eventual wilderness classification if their (a) whose eventual continued use will not adversely affect removal is anticipated but cannot be the character or resources of the removed by a fixed deadline; or, primitive area or impinge upon the proper management of the adjacent (b) in primitive areas not wilderness; in each case as specified in destined to become wilderness whose a duly adopted unit management plan. presence is of an essentially permanent character; in each case as specified in a duly adopted unit management plan.

2. Upon the closure of any road, Designation of Primitive Areas snowmobile trail or administrative road, such routes will be effectively blocked The application of the primitive as provided in the wilderness guidelines. definition and criteria described above results in the current designation under this master plan of 40 primitive areas Bicycles scattered throughout the Adirondack Park. The objective for many of these The same guidelines will apply as in areas is to eventually upgrade them to wilderness areas except that bicycles wilderness. Some areas are extremely may be used: unlikely to attain wilderness standards. A wide variety of terrain and ecosystems (a) on existing roads legally open is represented in the designated to the public and on primitive areas, though not to the same administrative roads degree as with wilderness. specifically designated for such use by the Department All primitive areas are identified and of Environmental their boundaries delineated on the map Conservation as specified in forming part of this master plan. individual unit management plans; and, A general description of each designated primitive area is contained in (b) on former all-season roads in Chapter III. Each description specifies the Essex Chain Lakes the goal for ultimate classification and Primitive Area, as described non-conforming uses for each area. above under “Primitive Recreational Trails.”

CANOE Flora and fauna Definition The same guidelines will apply as in wilderness areas. A canoe area is an area where the watercourses or the number and proximity of lakes and ponds make Recreational use and overuse possible a remote and unconfined type of water-oriented recreation in The same guidelines will apply as in an essentially wilderness setting. wilderness areas. The terrain associated with parcels meeting the above definition is generally Boundary structures and ideally suited to ski touring and improvements and boundary marking snowshoeing in the winter months.

The same guidelines will apply as in wilderness areas.

Guidelines for Management and basis as in wilderness areas but with Use particular emphasis on the water and fishery resources.

Basic guidelines 5. No new structures or improvements in canoe areas will be 1. The primary canoe area constructed except in conformity with management guideline will be to protect finally adopted unit management plans. the quality of the water and fishery This guideline will not prevent ordinary resources while preserving a wilderness maintenance, rehabilitation or minor character on the adjacent lands. relocation of conforming structures and improvements, or the removal of 2. In designated canoe areas non-conforming uses. that contain non-conforming uses: 6. All conforming structures and (a) No additions or improvements will be designed and expansions of such non-conforming located so as to blend with the uses will be permitted. surrounding environment and to require only minimal maintenance. (b) Any remaining non-conforming uses that were to have 7. All management and been removed by the December 31, administrative actions and interior 1975 deadline but have not yet been facilities in canoe areas will be designed removed will be removed by March 3l, to emphasize the self-sufficiency of the l987. user to assume a high degree of responsibility for environmentally sound (c) Non-conforming uses use of such areas and for his or her own resulting from newly classified canoe health, safety and welfare. areas will be removed as rapidly as possible and in any case by the end of 8. Any new, reconstructed or the third year following classification. relocated lean-tos or individual primitive tent sites located on shorelines of lakes, (d) Primitive tent sites that ponds, rivers or major streams will be do not conform to the separation located so as to be reasonably screened distance guidelines will be brought into from the water body to avoid intruding compliance on a phased basis and in on the natural character of the shoreline any case by the third year following and public enjoyment and use thereof. adoption of the unit management plan Any such lean-tos will be set back a for the area. minimum of 100 feet from the mean high water mark of lakes, ponds, rivers, or 3. No new non-conforming uses major streams. will be permitted. 9. All pit privies will be located a 4. Construction of additional minimum of 150 feet from the mean high conforming structures and water mark of any lake, pond, river, improvements and maintenance of stream or wetland. existing facilities will be on the same

Structures and improvements as specified in duly adopted unit management plans. Such administrative 1. All structures and roads will be closed to public use by improvements that conform to means of a gate or other similar wilderness guidelines will be permitted methods. in canoe areas.

2. In addition, existing Bicycles administrative roads may be used and maintained by administrative personnel The same guidelines will apply as in in conformity with the guideline specified wilderness areas except that bicycles below. may be used on existing roads legally open to the public and on administrative roads specifically designated for such Ranger stations use by the Department of Environmental Conservation, as specified in individual The same guidelines will apply as in unit management plans. wilderness areas.

Flora and fauna Motor vehicles, motorized equipment and aircraft The same guidelines will apply as in wilderness areas. 1. All uses of motor vehicles, motorized equipment and aircraft permitted under the wilderness Recreational use and overuse guidelines will also be permitted in canoe areas. The same guidelines will apply as in wilderness areas with special emphasis 2. In addition, motor vehicles, on canoeing, fishing, ski touring and motorized equipment and aircraft may snowshoeing. be used by administrative personnel, but only for purposes designed to preserve or enhance the water or fishery Boundary structures and resources of the area as specified in improvements and boundary marking duly adopted unit management plans. The same guidelines will apply as in wilderness areas. Roads, snowmobile trails and administrative roads Designation of Canoe Areas The guidelines specified for wilderness areas will also apply to The application of the canoe area canoe areas except that use of definition and criteria described above administrative roads by administrative results in the current designation under personnel for purposes designed to this master plan of only the St. Regis preserve or enhance the water or fishery Canoe Area. Certain private tracts in the resources of the area will be permitted

Park may also qualify for canoe area Guidelines for Management and designation should they ever be Use acquired. Those areas classified as wild forest The St. Regis area is depicted on are generally less fragile, ecologically, the map forming part of this master plan. than the wilderness and primitive areas. It is described in narrative form in Because the resources of these areas Chapter III on the same basis as the can withstand more human impact, wilderness and primitive descriptions these areas should accommodate much with an inventory of both the conforming of the future use of the Adirondack and non-conforming structures and forest preserve. The scenic attributes improvements in the area. and the variety of uses to which these areas lend themselves provide a challenge to the recreation planner. WILD FOREST Within constitutional constraints, those types of outdoor recreation that afford enjoyment without destroying the wild Definition forest character or natural resource quality should be encouraged. Many of A wild forest area is an area these areas are under-utilized. For where the resources permit a example the crescent of wild forest somewhat higher degree of human areas from Lewis County south and east use than in wilderness, primitive or through Old Forge, southern Hamilton canoe areas, while retaining an and northern Fulton Counties and north essentially wild character. A wild and east to the Lake George vicinity can forest area is further defined as an and should afford extensive outdoor area that frequently lacks the sense recreation readily accessible from the of remoteness of wilderness, primary east-west transportation and primitive or canoe areas and that population axis of New York State. permits a wide variety of outdoor recreation. Basic guidelines To the extent that state lands classified as wild forest were given or 1. The primary wild forest devised to the state for silvicultural or management guideline will be to protect wildlife management purposes pursuant the natural wild forest setting and to to statutory provisions specifying that provide those types of outdoor these lands will not form part of the recreation that will afford public forest preserve (if such provisions are enjoyment without impairing the wild constitutional), the following guidelines forest atmosphere. are not to be interpreted to prevent silvicultural or wildlife management 2. In wild forest areas: practices on these lands, provided that other guidelines for wild forest land are (a) No additions or respected. expansions of non-conforming uses will be permitted.

(b) Any remaining finally adopted unit management plan. non-conforming uses that were to have This guideline will not prevent ordinary been removed by the December 31, maintenance, rehabilitation or minor 1975 deadline but have not yet been maintenance of conforming structures or removed will be removed by March 3l, improvements, or the removal of l987. non-conforming uses.

(c) Non-conforming uses 8. All conforming structures and resulting from newly classified wild improvements will be designed and forest areas will be removed as rapidly located so as to blend with the as possible and in any case by the end surrounding environment and to require of the third year following classification. only minimal maintenance.

(d) Primitive tent sites that 9. All management and do not conform to the separation administrative actions and interior distance guidelines will be brought into facilities in wild forest areas will be compliance on a phased basis and in designed to emphasize the any case by the third year following self-sufficiency of the user to assume a adoption of the unit management plan high degree of responsibility for environ- for the area. mentally sound use of such areas and for his or her own health, safety and 3. No new non-conforming uses welfare. will be permitted in any designated wild forest area. 10. Any new, reconstructed or relocated lean-tos, primitive tent sites 4. Public use of motor vehicles and other conforming buildings and will not be encouraged and there will not structures located on shorelines of be any material increase in the mileage lakes, ponds, rivers or major streams, of roads and snowmobile trails open to other than docks, fishing and waterway motorized use by the public in wild access sites and similar water-related forest areas that conformed to the facilities, will be located so as to be master plan at the time of its original reasonably screened from the water adoption in 1972. body to avoid intruding on the natural character of the shoreline and the public 5. Care should be taken to enjoyment and use thereof. Any such minimize conflict of incompatible uses. leantos, ranger stations, storage sheds, horse barns and similar structures will 6. When public access to and be set back a minimum of 100 feet from enjoyment of the wild forest areas are the mean high water mark of lakes, inadequate, appropriate measures may ponds, rivers or major streams. be undertaken to provide improved access to encourage public use 11. All pit privies, seepage pits or consistent with the leach fields will be located a minimum of wild forest character. 150 feet from any lake, pond, river or stream. 7. No new structures or improvements in wild forest areas will be constructed except in conformity with a

Structures and improvements -- boat docks, constructed of natural materials wherever possible; 1. All structures and improvements permitted under the -- small fireplaces in guidelines covering wilderness areas fire-sensitive areas; will be allowed in wild forest areas. In addition, the structures and -- storage sheds and similar improvements listed below will be rustic buildings for use of administrative allowed and their maintenance, personnel; rehabilitation and construction permitted: -- small-scale electronic communication and relay facilities for -- small groupings of primitive official communications; tent sites below 3,500 feet in elevation, subject to the guidelines set forth below; -- telephone and electrical lines to service permitted administrative -- nature and interpretive trails; structures;

-- trailheads adjacent to public -- buoys; highways; -- small-scale water supply -- stream improvement facilities under permit from the structures for fishery management Department of Environmental purposes; Conservation;

-- fishing and waterway access -- ranger stations as set forth sites adjacent to public highways and below; complying with the criteria set forth below; -- roads, and administrative roads as set forth below; -- horse trails; and, -- snowmobile trails as set forth -- picnic tables. below;

The maintenance and rehabilitation -- fire towers and observer of the following structures and cabins as set forth below; and, improvements will be allowed to the extent essential to the administration -- wildlife management and/or protection of state lands or to structures; and, reasonable public use thereof but new construction will not be encouraged: -- bridges, constructed of natural materials whenever possible, following a -- horse barns; minimum requirements approach analysis that fundamentally protects the -- small scale dams, wild forest character of the area. constructed of natural materials wherever possible;

Ranger stations -- on rivers, lakes and ponds Existing ranger stations may be now or hereafter designated by the retained and new ranger stations Department of Environmental Conserva- constructed, but only where absolutely tion as suitable for such motorized uses; essential for administration of the area, and, no feasible alternative exists, and no deterioration of the wild forest character (c) by snowmobiles on or natural resource quality of the area snowmobile trails now or hereafter will result. designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation in accordance with basic guideline 4 set Motor vehicles, motorized equipment forth above, and with the special guide- and aircraft lines for such trails specified below.

1. All uses of motor vehicles, (d) by all-terrain vehicles motorized equipment and aircraft but only on existing public roads or permitted under wilderness guidelines administrative roads open to such will also be permitted in wild forest vehicles, as specified in (b) above. areas. 3. The Department of 2. In addition, the use of motor Environmental Conservation may vehicles, snowmobiles, motorized restrict, under existing law and pursuant equipment and aircraft will be allowed to authority provided in this master plan, as follows: the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment and aircraft by the public or (a) by administrative administrative personnel where in its personnel where necessary to reach, judgment the character of the natural maintain or construct permitted resources in a particular area or other structures and improvements, for factors make such restrictions desirable. appropriate law enforcement and general supervision of public use, or for appropriate purposes, including Roads and administrative roads research, to preserve and enhance the fish and wildlife or other natural 1. Continued use of existing resources of the area; roads, snowmobile trails and administrative roads by administrative (b) by the general public, personnel in wild forest areas will be subject to basic guideline 4 set forth permitted, to the extent necessary, to above, but only on: reach, maintain and construct permitted structures and improvements. -- existing public roads; 2. Existing roads or snowmobile -- Department of Environmental trails, now open to and used by the Conservation roads now or hereafter public for motor vehicle use in wild designated as open for public use by forest areas, may continue to be so motor vehicles by the Department of used at the discretion of the Department Environmental Conservation; and, of Environmental Conservation,

provided such use is compatible with the lost due to wilderness, primitive or wild forest character of an area. canoe classification;

3. Established roads or -- appropriate opportunities to snowmobile trails in newly-acquired improve the snowmobile trail system state lands classified as wild forest may may be pursued subject to basic be kept open to the public, subject to guideline 4 set forth above, where the basic guideline 4 set forth above and in impact on the wild forest environment the case of snowmobile trails to the will be minimized, such as (i) provision special guidelines for such trails set for snowmobile trails adjacent to but forth below, at the discretion of the screened from certain public highways Department of Environmental Conser- within the Park to facilitate snowmobile vation, provided such use is compatible access between communities where with the wild forest character of the alternate routes on either state or area. private land are not available and topography permits and, (ii) designation 4. No new roads will be of new snowmobile trails on established constructed in wild forest areas nor will roads in newly acquired state new administrative roads be constructed lands classified as wild forest; and, unless such construction is absolutely essential to the protection or -- deer wintering yards and administration of an area, no feasible other important wildlife and resource alternative exists and no deterioration of areas should be avoided by such trails. the wild forest character or natural resource quality of the area will result. Bicycles

Snowmobile trails Bicycles may be permitted, in the discretion of the Department of Snowmobile trails should be Environmental Conservation, on roads designed and located in a manner that legally open to the public and on will not adversely affect adjoining private administrative roads, bicycle trails, foot landowners or the wild forest trails, snowmobile trails and horse trails environment and in particular: deemed suitable for such use as specified in individual unit management -- the mileage of snowmobile plans. trails lost in the designation of wilderness, primitive and canoe areas may be replaced in wild forest areas Fire towers with existing roads or abandoned wood roads as the basis of such new snow- The educational and informational mobile trail construction, except in rare aspects of certain fire towers should be circumstances requiring the cutting of encouraged and wherever feasible new trails; these fire towers should be retained where consistent with their need from a -- wherever feasible such fire control and communications replacement mileage should be located standpoint. in the general area as where mileage is

Tent platforms Fishing and waterway access sites

The Department of Environmental Fishing and waterway access sites Conservation having removed all tent may be provided on any body of water platforms previously existing under irrespective of its size where the current Department permit, erection of new tent or projected need for access clearly platforms will be prohibited. warrants such a site. Such sites will comply with the following management Small groupings of primitive tent guidelines: sites designed to accommodate a maximum of 20 people per grouping -- Adequate public hand under group camping conditions may be launching facilities or private facilities provided at carefully selected locations open to the public are not available to in wild forest areas, even though each meet a demonstrated need. individual site may be within sight or sound and less than approximately -- The physical, biological and one-quarter mile from any other site social carrying capacity of the water within such grouping, subject to the body or other water bodies accessible following criteria: from the site will not be exceeded.

-- such groupings will only be -- The site and attendant water established or maintained on a site uses will be compatible with the state specific basis in conformity with a duly and private land use classifications and adopted unit management plan for the attendant management guidelines and wild forest area in question; land use controls surrounding the water body. -- such groupings will be widely dispersed (generally a mile apart) and -- The site will be located in a located in a manner that will blend with manner to avoid adverse impact on the surrounding environment and have a adjacent or nearby state and private minimum impact on the wild forest lands. character and natural resource quality of the area; -- Motor size limitations or the prohibition of motorized use as -- all new, reconstructed or appropriate to the carrying capacity of relocated tent sites in such groupings the water body are provided for. will be set back a minimum of 100 feet from the mean high water mark of lakes, -- There will be no adverse ponds, rivers and major streams and will impacts on the physical, biological or be located so as to be reasonably scenic resources of the water body and screened from the water body to avoid surrounding land. intruding on the natural character of the shoreline and the public enjoyment and Any proposal to create a new fishing use thereof. or waterway access site will be accompanied by an adequate demonstration that the above guidelines can be complied with.

Flora and fauna Designation of Wild Forest Areas The same guidelines will apply as in wilderness areas, although exceptions The application of the wild forest may be made by the Department of definition and criteria described above Environmental Conservation in results in the current designation under accordance with sound biological the master plan of about 1.3 million management practices, particularly acres of wild forest land, comprising where such practices will improve the approximately 51 percent of the forest wildlife resources. preserve within the Adirondack Park. A wide variety of terrain and ecosystems is represented in these areas. Recreational use and overuse All wild forest areas are identified 1. All types of recreational uses and their boundaries delineated on the considered appropriate for wilderness map forming part of this master plan. areas are compatible with wild forest and, in addition, snowmobiling, Chapter III contains a general motorboating and travel by jeep or other description of 17 wild forest areas in the motor vehicles on a limited and Park. regulated basis that will not materially increase motorized uses that conformed to the Master Plan at the time of its adoption in 1972 and will not adversely affect the essentially wild character of the land are permitted.

2. Certain wild forest areas offer better opportunities for a more extensive horse trail system than in wilderness, primitive or canoe areas and horse trails and associated facilities in these areas should be provided where appropriate.

3. Although the nature of most wild forest areas indicates that potential recreational overuse will not be as serious as in wilderness, primitive and canoe areas, care must nonetheless be taken to avoid overuse, and the basic wilderness guidelines in this respect apply also to wild forest lands. The relatively greater intensity of use allowed by the wild forest guidelines should not be interpreted as permitting or encouraging unlimited or unrestrained use of wild forest areas.

INTENSIVE USE problems on lands already subject to or threatened by overuse, such as the eastern portion of the High Peaks Definition Wilderness, the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness or the St. Regis Canoe Area An intensive use area is an area or where they will have a negative where the state provides facilities for impact on competing private facilities. intensive forms of outdoor recreation Such facilities will be adjacent to or by the public. Two types of intensive serviceable from existing public road use areas are defined by this plan: systems or water bodies open to campground and day use areas. motorboat use within the Park.

These areas provide overnight 3. Construction and accommodations or day use facilities for development activities in intensive use a significant number of visitors to the areas will: Park and often function as a base for use of wild forest, wilderness, primitive -- avoid material alteration of and canoe areas. wetlands; -- minimize extensive topographic alterations; Guidelines for Management and -- limit vegetative clearing;

Use and,

-- preserve the scenic, Basic guidelines natural and open space resources of the

intensive use area. 1. The primary management guideline for intensive use areas will be 4. Day use areas will not to provide the public opportunities for provide for overnight camping or other family group camping, developed overnight accommodations for the swimming and boating, downhill skiing, public. cross country skiing under competitive or developed conditions on improved 5. Priority should be given to the cross country ski trails, visitor rehabilitation and modernization of information and similar outdoor existing intensive use areas and the recreational pursuits in a setting and on complete development of partially a scale that are in harmony with the developed existing intensive use areas relatively wild and undeveloped before the construction of new facilities character of the Adirondack Park. is considered.

2. All intensive use facilities 6. Additions to the intensive use should be located, designed and category should come either from new managed so as to blend with the acquisitions or from the reclassification Adirondack environment and to have the of appropriate wild forest areas, and minimum adverse impact possible on only in exceptional circumstances from surrounding state lands and nearby wilderness, primitive or canoe areas. private holdings. They will not be situated where they will aggravate

7. Any request for classification body to avoid intruding on the natural of a new acquisition or reclassification of character of the shoreline and the public existing lands from another land use enjoyment and use thereof. category to an intensive use area will be accompanied by a draft unit management plan for the proposed Campgrounds intensive use area that will demonstrate how the applicable guidelines will be 1. All campgrounds will be of a respected. rustic nature without utility hookups and other elaborate facilities customarily 8. No new structures or provided by private campgrounds. Each improvements at any intensive use area individual site will retain the natural will be constructed except in conformity character of the surrounding forest and with a final adopted unit management contain only a fireplace or fire ring, a plan for such area. This guideline will space for a single vehicle with trailer if not prevent the ordinary maintenance, needed, picnic table, and appropriate rehabilitation or minor relocation of sites. All facilities and appurtenances conforming structures or improvements. are to be constructed of natural materials to the fullest extent possible 9. Since the concentrations of so as to blend with the natural en- visitors at certain intensive use facilities vironment. Where a campground often pose a threat of water pollution, involves the shoreline of a lake, pond, the state should set an example for the river or major stream any new, private sector by installing modern reconstructed or relocated camping sewage treatment systems with the sites will be set back a minimum of 100 objective of maintaining high water feet from the mean high water mark and quality. Standards for the state should in will be located so as to be reasonably no case be less than those for the screened from the shoreline and so as private sector and in all cases any pit to avoid intruding on its natural privy, leach field or seepage pit will be at character or public enjoyment and use least 150 feet from the mean high water thereof. mark of any lake, pond, river or stream. 2. The maximum size of future 10. Any new, reconstructed or campgrounds in the Park will be in the relocated buildings or structures located range of 75 to 150 individual camping on shorelines of lakes, ponds, rivers or sites depending on site constraints, major streams, other than docks, resource considerations and impacts on primitive tent sites not a part of a nearby lands. campground (which will be governed by the general guidelines for such sites set 3. The older, existing forth elsewhere in this master plan) boat campgrounds will be rehabilitated and launching sites, fishing and waterway reconstructed as soon as possible to access sites, boathouses, and similar reflect modern site planning principles water related facilities, will be set back a that will better blend the facilities with minimum of 150 feet from the mean high the environment and will comply with the water mark and will be located so as to provisions of this master plan. In be reasonably screened from the water particular, priority should be given to the

rehabilitation and reconstruction of Fish -- the boat launching site or Creek Campground. attendant water uses will be compatible with the state or private land use clas- 4. Educational programs at sifications and attendant management campgrounds should be encouraged. guidelines as land use controls surrounding the water body; 5. Future campgrounds will be located so as to encourage public use -- the boat launching site is on presently underutilized tracts of state located in a manner to avoid adverse land. impact on adjacent or nearby state and private lands;

Boat launching sites -- motor size limitations appropriate to the carrying capacity of Launching sites for trailered boats the lake are provided; particularly for will only be provided by the state on lakes with embayment or shoreline con- Adirondack lakes in conformity with the figurations providing the character of following management guidelines: small lakes; and,

1. Boat launching sites will only -- there will be no material be provided on large lakes regularly adverse impacts on physical, biological used by motorboats. A large lake is or scenic resources of the water body defined as a lake approximately 1,000 and surrounding land. acres or more in area. A list of lakes meeting these criteria (including smaller 3. Existing boat launching sites lakes in interconnected lake chains that do not meet the above guidelines aggregating 1,000 acres or more which may be retained but their status will be are regularly used by motorboats) is set periodically reviewed to determine if forth in Chapter III. The fact that a lake their eventual conversion to fishing is set forth on this list does not neces- access sites is appropriate. sarily mean that additional boat launching sites on that lake are needed 4. Any proposals to create a or desirable. new boat launching site will be accompanied by an adequate 2. Boat launching sites will only demonstration that the above guidelines be provided on the above lakes where: can be complied with.

-- adequate public or private boat launching facilities open to the Moose River Plains Camping Area public are not available to meet a demonstrated need; The history of use and character of this camping area is unique in the -- the physical, biological and Adirondack Park, and it is to be social carrying capacity of the lake, or a managed according to special portion of the lake, or other water bodies management guidelines within the accessible from the site will not be Intensive Use Area classification. exceeded; These guidelines and criteria allow for camping opportunities intermediate

between primitive camping and camping may be added in the future to this area in public campgrounds. The Camping through additional, careful design Area does not provide the types of efforts. facilities normally associated with Intensive Use Area Campgrounds. Use of the entire Limekiln Lake- While drive-in camping and site Cedar River Road for public motor separation distances of less than one- vehicle access from Inlet and Indian quarter mile are generally provided, the Lake to the Moose River Plains Camping Area is largely primitive in Camping Area is essential and should character and does not include facilities be preserved, as should the road’s such as bathhouses, water supply, gravel surface and its wild, forested paved roads and similar amenities. corridor free of extensive roadside Some facilities are designed to provide clearings. Driving this and the other universal access for persons with interconnected, winding roads of the disabilities. Individual camping sites will Plains for tens of miles through Forest be located or restored to be adequately Preserve is, for some, a highly valued screened from roads, water bodies and recreational experience in itself – one other camping sites. Most camping sites reminiscent of earlier times when such may include space for a single vehicle roads were common in the Adirondacks with a trailer, a tent site if needed, a pit and the eastern U.S. Heavy recreational privy, picnic table and small fireplace or use of the road system is made in winter fire ring. Those sites within the corridors months by snowmobilers, some aspects of rivers classified “Scenic” are required of which may have negative effects on to be managed as primitive tent sites the wintering deer population (possibly according to Wild, Scenic and including negative physiological effects Recreational River guidelines and and habituation to feeding) that deserve criteria of this Master Plan. assessment.

The area is a continuous corridor two tenths of a mile wide, one-tenth mile Ski areas and the Mt. Van either side of the centerline of 23.9 miles Hoevenberg Recreation Area of roads formerly part of the Moose River Plains Wild Forest Area. 1. Existing downhill ski centers Specifically, it includes 17.3 miles of the at Gore and Whiteface should be Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road from modernized to the extent physical and Wakely Dam to the intersection with biological resources allow. Cross Rock Dam Road, 4.3 miles of Rock Dam country skiing on improved cross Road, 1.2 miles of Loop Road and a country ski trails may be developed at total of 1.1 miles of four, shorter spur these downhill ski centers. roads in the areas of Bradley Brook, Helldiver Pond, Lost Ponds and 2. The Mt. Van Hoevenberg camping sites #53 to #55. The Camping Recreation Area should be maintained Area initially provides 116 individual as a year-round sports facility meeting camping sites, with approximately 33 international standards for such sports sites that will be relocated due to as bobsled, luge, biathlon and cross environmental concerns. Intensive Use country skiing on improved cross camping areas may contain up to 150 country ski trails under developed, individual camping sites, and more sites competitive conditions.

Recreation use and overuse Hearthstone Point Campground, Rogers Rock Campground, Lake George Where the degree and intensity of Battleground Campground, Lake permitted recreational uses are George Beach, Prospect Mountain endangering the physical or biological Highway, and Mossy Point boat launch resources of an area, appropriate are all located within the Lake George administrative and regulatory measures Park. will be taken to limit such use to the capability of the resources. Such administrative and regulatory measures HISTORIC may include, but need not be limited to:

-- the prohibition of overnight Definition camping within a specified distance of a designated campground to avoid Historic areas are locations of overflow camping on adjacent, buildings, structures or sites owned undeveloped state lands; and, by the state (other than the Adirondack Forest Preserve itself) -- the temporary closure of all that are significant in the history, or portions of a designated intensive use architecture, archeology or culture of area to permit rehabilitative measures. the Adirondack Park, the state or the nation; that fall into one of the following categories; Designation of Intensive Use Areas -- state historic sites; -- properties listed on the The intensive use areas are National Register of Historic Places; delineated on the map forming part of -- properties recommended for this master plan and are described in nomination by the Committee on Chapter III. They include (i) day use Registers of the New York State areas, which include: boat launching Board For Historic Preservation; and sites, the two downhill ski centers at that are of a scale, character and Gore and Whiteface, one beach not location appropriate for designation associated with a campground, all of the as an historic area under this master facilities at the Mount Van Hoevenberg plan and the state has committed Recreation Area, the Prospect Mountain resources to manage such areas Parkway and the Whiteface Memorial primarily for historic objectives. Highway, and, (ii) campgrounds (certain of which have associated day-use facilities which are considered a part of Guidelines for Management and the campground). The Moose River Use Plains Camping Area is unique in the Adirondack Park and will be managed to Basic guidelines restore and maintain the wild forest setting of the drive-in camping 1. The primary management opportunities provided there. The Lake guidelines for historic areas will be to George Islands Campground, preserve the quality and character of the

historic resources, that is, to the Designation of Historic Areas greatest extent feasible, in a setting and on a scale in harmony with the relatively Five historic areas, Crown Point, wild and undeveloped character of the John Brown's Farm, Camp Santanoni, Adirondack Park. Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower and St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower result from 2. All historic areas will be the application of the above criteria and designed, managed and interpreted so are delineated on the map forming part as to blend with the Adirondack of this master plan. environment and have the minimum adverse impact possible on surrounding state lands and nearby private holdings.

3. Construction and development activities in historic areas will:

-- avoid material alteration of wetlands;

-- minimize extensive topographical alterations;

-- limit vegetative clearing; and,

-- preserve the scenic, natural and open space resources of the historic area.

4. Each historic area will be designed, managed and interpreted in conformity with a special historic area unit management plan for the area, filed with and approved by the Agency after public hearing as being consistent with this master plan. Special unit management plans will be prepared in consultation with the Agency for the two existing historic areas as soon as possible. No new structures or improvements at existing or proposed historic areas will be constructed prior to the approval of such special unit management plans. Such structures and improvements will conform to this master plan and special historic area unit management plans.

STATE ADMINISTRATIVE administration of state lands or programs in a setting and on a scale that is, to the greatest extent feasible, in Definition harmony with the relatively wild and undeveloped character of the Adiron- State administrative areas are dack Park. areas where the state provides facilities for a variety of specific state 2. All state administrative purposes that are not primarily facilities should be located, designed designed to accommodate visitors to and managed so as to blend with the the Park. Adirondack environment and to have the minimum adverse impact possible on This category, like the travel corridor surrounding state lands and nearby category with which it is closely private holdings. Whenever possible, associated, contains a wide variety of such facilities should be adjacent to or developed uses related directly to the serviceable from existing public road activities of many state agencies. It systems within the Park. includes the administrative offices of the Department of Environmental 3. Construction and Conservation, Division of State Police development activities in state and the Adirondack Park Agency itself administrative areas will: as well as the Department of Environ- mental Conservation fish hatcheries, -- avoid material alterations Department of Transportation offices of wetlands; and maintenance and storage sites, the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center -- minimize extensive at Whiteface Mountain, the Sunmount topographical alterations; Developmental Center, the Adirondack Correctional Facility, the Dannemora -- limit vegetative clearing; Correctional Facility, the Lyon Mountain and, Correctional Facility, Camp Gabriels and several sewage treatment plants -- preserve the scenic, operated by the Environmental Fac- natural and open space resources of the ilities Corporation. All of these facilities state administrative area. are in close proximity to public highways and are generally in developed areas of 4. Additions to the state the Park. administrative category should come either from new acquisitions or from the reclassification of appropriate wild forest Guidelines for Management and or intensive use areas (assuming such acquisitions or reclassifications to be

Use constitutional) and not from wilderness,

primitive or canoe areas. Basic guidelines

1. The primary management

guideline for state administrative areas should be to provide facilities for the

Designation of State forest management and other dis- Administrative Areas persed human activities that do not substantially interfere with public use State administrative areas are listed and enjoyment of the river and its in Chapter III and those of an shore. appropriate scale are designated on the map forming part of this master plan. A recreational river is a river or section of river that is readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have development in the river WILD, SCENIC AND RECREA- area and that may have undergone TIONAL RIVERS some diversion or impoundment in the past. The Adirondack Park contains many rivers which, with their immediate environs, constitute an important and Guidelines for Management and unusual resource. Classification of those

portions of rivers that flow through state Use

land is vital to the protection of existing Basic guidelines free flowing streams. The classification

system and the recommended 1. No river or river area will be guidelines specified below are designed managed or used in a way that would be to be consistent with and less restrictive in nature than the complementary to both the basic intent statutory requirements of the Wild, and structure of the legislation passed Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act, by the legislature in 1972 creating a Article l5, title 27 of the Environmental wild, scenic and recreational rivers Conservation Law, or than the system on both state and private lands. guidelines for the management and use

of the land classification within which the

river area lies, but the river or river area Definitions may be administered in a more

restrictive manner. A wild river is a river or section of river that is free of diversions and 2. Rivers will be kept free of impoundments, inaccessible to the pollution and the water quality thereof general public except by water, foot kept sufficiently high to meet other or horse trail, and with a river area management guidelines contained in primitive in nature and free of any this section. man-made development except foot bridges. 3. No dam or other structure

impeding the natural flow of a river will A scenic river is a river or section be constructed on a wild, scenic or of river that is free of diversions or recreational river, except for stream impoundments except for log dams, improvement structures for fisheries with limited road access and with a management purposes which are river area largely primitive and permissible on recreational and scenic undeveloped, or that is partially or rivers only. predominantly used for agriculture,

4. The precise boundaries of Scenic rivers the river area will be determined by the Department of Environmental 1. Scenic rivers and their river Conservation, will be specified in the areas will be managed in accordance individual unit management plans for the with the guidelines for the management river area or the unit of state land of wild forest areas (except where such through which the river flows, and will rivers flow through wilderness, primitive normally be one-half mile from the mean or canoe areas, where the more high water mark of the river, but in any restrictive guidelines of the particular case will not be less than one-quarter area will apply) and with the following mile. additional guidelines.

2. Access points to the river Wild rivers shore or crossings of the river by roads, fire truck trails or other trails open to 1. Wild rivers and their river motor vehicle use by the public or areas will be managed in accordance administrative personnel will normally be with the guidelines for wilderness areas located at least two miles apart. except that no new, reconstructed or relocated structures or improvements 3. Other motor vehicle roads or will be permitted other than: foot and trails in the river area will not be horse trails, foot trail bridges encouraged and, where permitted, will constructed of natural materials, primi- normally be kept at least 500 feet from tive tent sites with fire rings, and pit pri- the river shore and will be screened by vies. Existing lean-tos in wild river areas vegetation or topography from view from may be maintained for the balance of the river itself. their useful lives. Such lean-tos will not be reconstructed or replaced and will 4. The natural character of the ultimately be phased out in favor of river and its immediate shoreline will be primitive tent sites as specified in preserved. individual unit management plans. 5. The following structures and 2. Such structures and improvements may be located so as to improvements, other than foot and be visible from the river itself: horse trails and foot trail bridges, will be located so as to be completely screened -- fishing and waterway by vegetation or topography from view access sites; from the river itself. -- foot and horse trails and 3. The wild character of the river foot and horse trail bridges crossing the and its immediate shoreline will be river; and, preserved and enhanced. -- motor vehicle bridges 4. Motorboat usage of wild crossing the river. rivers will be prohibited. 6. All other new, reconstructed or relocated conforming structures and improvements (other than individual

lean-tos, primitive tent sites and pit -- fishing and waterway privies which are governed by the access sites; regular guidelines of the master plan) will be located a minimum of 250 feet -- docks; from the mean high water mark of the river and will in all cases be reasonably -- foot and horse trails and screened by vegetation or topography foot and horse trail bridges crossing the from view from the river itself. river;

7. Motorboat usage of scenic -- snowmobile trails, roads, rivers will not normally be permitted but and truck trails; and, may be allowed by the Department of Environmental Conservation, where --motor vehicle bridges such use is already established, is crossing the river. consistent with the character of the river and river area, and will not result in any 5. All other new, reconstructed undue adverse impacts upon the natural or relocated conforming structures and resource quality of the area. improvements (other than individual lean-tos and primitive tent sites which are governed by the regular guidelines Recreational rivers of the master plan) will be located a minimum of 150 feet from the mean high 1. Recreational rivers and their water mark of the river and will in all river areas will be administered in cases be reasonably screened by accordance with the guidelines for vegetation or topography from view from management of wild forest areas the river itself. (except where such rivers flow through wilderness, primitive or canoe areas, 6. Motorboat use of recreational where the more restrictive guidelines of rivers may be permitted, as determined the particular area will apply) and with by the Department of Environmental the following additional guidelines: Conservation.

2. Where a recreational river flows through an intensive use area, Designation of Wild, Scenic and structures, improvements and uses permitted in intensive use areas will be Recreational Rivers permitted, provided the scale and The application of the above defini- intensity of these intensive uses do not tions and criteria to rivers on state lands adversely affect the recreational in the Park results in the current character of the river and the river area. designation under this master plan of

155.1 miles of wild rivers, 511.3 miles of 3. The natural character of the scenic rivers, and 539.5 miles of river and its immediate shoreline will be recreational rivers. A significant amount preserved and enhanced. of private lands not covered by this

master plan are included in these 4. The following structures and mileage figures. A brief description of improvements may be located so as to be visible from the river itself:

these rivers and their classification is set The importance of the major travel forth in Chapter III. corridors and the principal segments of the local highway network to the integrity of the Park cannot be TRAVEL CORRIDORS over-emphasized. The lands adjacent to these highways are the most visible to Definition the traveling public and frequently determine the image and entire A travel corridor is that strip of atmosphere of the Park for many land constituting the roadbed and visitors. In addition, due to the heavily right-of-way for state and interstate forested character of the Park, scenic highways in the Adirondack Park, the vistas from these travel corridors are Remsen to Lake Placid railroad relatively rare and their protection and right-of-way, and those state lands enhancement are important. immediately adjacent to and visible from these facilities. Considerable portions of travel corridors run through private lands This category, together with the within the Park. While this plan is state administrative category with which concerned with state lands, it is it is closely associated, is unique in the important for the state to set an example classification system in that several for the private sector in creating a state agencies are involved in its park-like atmosphere through administration. For instance, the appropriate construction and signing Department of Transportation has standards. obvious jurisdiction relating to highway construction, design, maintenance and In many instances, the design and accessory facilities, and is also construction of major highways and the responsible for the Remsen to Lake treatment of their immediate environs by Placid railroad line. The Department of state agencies has been enlightened. Environmental Conservation is involved Obvious examples are the Adirondack in the construction and maintenance of Northway, which won two national many signs, campgrounds, picnic areas, awards as America's Most Scenic trailheads and similar facilities. In Highway, the reconstruction of Route 10 addition, the Education Department is from Arietta to Route 8 in Hamilton responsible for some interpretive County, the rebuilding of Routes 30 and signing; the State Police maintain 28 between Indian Lake and Blue various buildings in these corridors; and Mountain Lake, the rebuilding of Route there are also institutional facilities 30 between Blue Mountain Lake and maintained by the Department of Mental South Pond and the rebuilding of Route Hygiene and the Department of 73 between Keene and the Adirondack Corrections. Careful planning and Loj Road. However, there are many coordination among all interested areas where more attention to the Park's agencies is essential to provide unique atmosphere is essential. The distinction to the Adirondack Park following guidelines are intended to highway system. achieve this objective.

Guidelines for Management and passing lanes, and significant Use acquisitions of new rights-of-way will be avoided wherever feasible.

Basic guidelines 2. All road designs and standards will consider the need for 1. The primary travel corridor compatibility with a park environment to guideline will be to achieve and maintain be of equal importance with speed a park-like atmosphere on state lands between communities. within the travel corridor that complements the total Adirondack 3. Additional four-lane, limited environment. access highways will not be located within the park. 2. State lands within travel corridors but outside of the right-of-way that are otherwise classified under this Signing policies master plan will be managed in compliance with the guidelines for the 1. A comprehensive plan for all appropriate classification. In addition, no signing on state lands within travel new structures or improvements within corridors will be prepared by the the travel corridor but outside of the Adirondack Park Agency jointly with the right-of-way will be constructed except Department of Environmental in conformity with a finally adopted unit Conservation, the Department of management plan whether for the travel Transportation and other interested corridor or the underlying land state agencies by no later than classification. This guideline will not December 31, 1987, with the objective prevent ordinary maintenance or of achieving uniformity and a high rehabilitation of conforming structures or quality of design for all signs within improvements or the removal of non-- these corridors. conforming uses. This plan will include: 3. The Department of Transportation should employ its -- a comprehensive visitor influence over highways under the information program designed to inform jurisdiction of various local governments the traveling public of the availability of to try and achieve similar objectives for state and private services and facilities, the other highway corridors within the which minimizes the need for the Park. erection of additional signs along travel corridors and ensures compliance with the Agency's private sign standards; Highway design and construction -- wooden park entrance 1. Highway construction within signs of the rustic style now used by the the Park will concentrate on the Department of Environmental Conserva- improvement of the existing highway tion at all major entrances to the Park, network to provide a modern system of with more modest signs of similar style two-lane highways with appropriate at minor entrances;

-- particular consideration to such vistas, which may require further modest landmark and vista signing, revision, is reflected on the map forming pointing out to the traveling public the part of this master plan. many and varied natural resources and historic sites of the Park; Trailheads -- special design standards in the Park for all highway signs that do The Department of Environmental not relate directly to traffic safety; and, Conservation and the Department of Transportation should provide modest -- a plan for the removal of trailhead parking areas at or near the existing service station, food, lodging beginning of important public foot and and campsite signs visible from the horse trails. The size of the facility will Northway that do not comply with the be governed by the carrying capacity of Agency's private sign standards, the land use area involved and will be coupled with a plan to provide consistent with finally adopted unit standardized means for directing the management plans. traveling public to these facilities that does not involve the erection of Trailheads should be located so as additional signs on the Northway itself to have the minimum adverse effect on and is consistent with the the surrounding environment and, comprehensive visitor information wherever feasible, the parking area will program for the Park. be screened from view from the highway. 2. The elements of the plan referred to above will be incorporated in Trailhead construction or rehabilita- travel corridor unit management plans, tion should be carefully considered in prepared by the Department of connection with highway rehabilitation Environmental Conservation, prior to and preservation projects. December 3l, l989.

3. All state signs other than Roadside aesthetics highway signs relating directly to traffic safety shall comply with the standards 1. All administrative and for private signs promulgated by the maintenance structures or storage areas Agency pursuant to its statutory of any state agency will be designed authority. and constructed to harmonize with the character of the Park.

Scenic vistas 2. These structures or facilities will be located in developed areas of the The Department of Transportation Park wherever possible or they should or the Department of Environmental be screened from the motoring public's Conservation should provide modest view. pull-offs with appropriate signing along the Park's travel corridors at important 3. Sand, gravel and other scenic vistas where traffic safety borrow pits and stockpiling areas will not permits. The current inventory of forty be located in travel corridors unless they

are screened from public view from the SPECIAL MANAGEMENT highway. As these excavations are GUIDELINES abandoned they will, wherever possible, be back-sloped and re-vegetated. The nine previously described classifications reflect the minimum 4. All future guide rail management constraints for the lands construction will utilize the new weak affected. Certain parcels of land often post cable system, dark brown treated require special management to reflect wooden posts or selfoxidizing rails unusual resource or public use factors. where appropriate. Examples of these include:

5. Utility companies will be -- special interest areas permitted and encouraged to bury their deserving of public attention, such as: telephone and electric transmission and distribution lines in the highway -- scenic areas, places of right- of-way. geologic interest providing information on the formation of the Adirondacks or 6. Vegetative cover will be unusual mineral deposits or rock maintained on all cut and fill slopes formations, historic buildings, structures except in areas of rock outcroppings or or sites not part of a designated historic where gabions or retaining walls are area, and particularly interesting natural essential. areas;

-- nature preserves, such as Designation of Travel Corridors habitats of rare, threatened or endangered species of plants or wildlife The application of the travel corridor where protection to prevent overuse or definition results in the designation of destruction of a unique resource may be approximately 1,220 miles of travel required; and, corridors, of which approximately 1,100 are highway and 120 miles make up the -- lakes and ponds whose size, Remsen to Lake Placid railroad right-of- character, inaccessibility, or fishery way. resources require special protective measures. In addition to the delineated corridors, the Department of Transportation has a considerable degree of influence over other highways Guidelines for Management and under the jurisdiction of various local Use governments. This influence, coupled with the example of the state highway 1. In no instance will the network, can have a very positive effect management of any of these lands be on the Park's appearance and less restrictive than that of the major atmosphere. land classification in which they lie, but more restrictive measures may be employed where desirable. Specific unit management plans should be developed for appropriate special

management areas, either independently or as part of the unit management plan for the major land classification in which they lie.

2. Special interest areas will receive appropriate publicity and particular attention will be given to interpretive signing.

3. Where overuse or destruction of unique and fragile resources is a threat, special measures will be taken to protect their integrity, such as prohibiting motorized access to the area, where such access would otherwise be allowed, re-routing foot and horse trails, or discouraging overnight camping to reduce public pressures. Illustrative examples of certain areas requiring special management are set forth in Chapter III.

III. AREA DESCRIPTIONS having been largely untouched by windstorms and logging. AND DELINEATIONS The Blue Ridge Wilderness is easily accessible along most of its perimeter. A WILDERNESS AREAS portion of the Northville-Lake Placid foot trail runs north from Wakely Pond past BLUE RIDGE Stephens Pond and Lake Durant. A major rerouting in 2009 moved six miles This Wilderness is located in the of trail from along Cedar River Road to a Towns of Arietta, Lake Pleasant, Long new trail along the southern boundary of Lake and Indian Lake in Hamilton the Wilderness. Campers from the Lake County. The area is roughly bounded on Durant public campground make use of the north by Route 28; on the east by the trails in the vicinity while the chief Route 28/30 and private lands; on the use of the foot trails in the Wilson Pond south by private lands immediately north section appears to be by anglers, and west of Cedar River Flow, Wakely hunters and summer visitors to the Mountain Primitive Area and Moose community of Blue Mountain Lake. Most River Plains Wild Forest; and on the use near the south boundary of this area west by the Lake Kora and Sagamore is concentrated along the Northville- Lake properties and the Moose River Lake Placid trail and around Sprague Plains Wild Forest. Pond.

The area is dominated by Blue Great Camp Sagamore, a National Ridge, a height of land ranging from Historic Landmark, stands on the west 2,700 to 3,683 feet in elevation and shore of Sagamore Lake at the western running in a general east-west direction boundary of the Blue Ridge Wilderness. for a distance of more than six miles. On An area of the Wilderness around the lower north slopes of the ridge there Sagamore Lake is included in the are a number of attractive little trout Historic Great Camps Special ponds with foot trails leading to them Management Area. The area was from Route 28/30. The forest cover is a designated to recognize the historic typical mix of hardwoods and softwoods, connection between the Great Camps with the higher elevations predominantly and the Forest Preserve. covered with red spruce and balsam fir. Most of the old growth spruce and Approximately 5.5 miles of jeep hemlock in the northwestern part of the trails and 5.5 miles of snowmobile trails area suffered heavy damage in the 1950 have been closed. A modest blow down, which affects the character stream-gauging station which was of the area even to this day. Parts of the installed in 1978 at the confluence of the blowdown area were affected by East Inlet and Lost Brooks on the former subsequent, legislatively authorized, Sagamore property has been removed. salvage logging. Also, a microburst in 1995 felled trees across the northern A Unit Management Plan was third of the area. Nevertheless, large adopted for this area in 2006. portions of the Wilderness exhibit the characteristics of old growth forest,

Blue Ridge area statistics: The present forest cover consists chiefly of yellow birch, aspen and State Lands 47,125 Acres stunted balsam at the higher elevations Bodies of Water (24) 252 Acres and mixed hardwoods and softwoods on Elevation the richer soils at lower elevations. (minimum) 1,676 Feet (maximum) 3,744 Feet Some of the mountains, such as Foot Trails 23 Miles Dix, South Dix and McComb, have had Lean-tos 3 small landslides in recent years which Non-conforming Uses: occur mostly on the near vertical north Golden Beach Campground Septic slopes. This has left a series of Blue Mountain Cemetery Access prominent, bare rock scars on the upper Road slopes.

Most of the mountains do not have DIX MOUNTAIN marked foot trails leading to their summits even though excellent views This area is in the Towns of can be experienced from these Elizabethtown, Keene and North summits. Hudson, Essex County. It is roughly bounded on the north by Route 73; on There are four “trail-less” peaks in the east by the Adirondack Northway; the area that are over 4,000 feet in on the south by the Boreas Road elevation: South Dix, East Dix, Hough (County Route 2B); and on the west by and McComb. Recreational use of these Elk Lake and Adirondack Mountain trail-less peaks is high. The steep, Reserve lands. rugged terrain of this area, is instrumental in retaining the region’s The terrain is rough, rocky and Wilderness atmosphere. mountainous, with several of the mountain tops exceeding 4,000 feet. Hikers and campers probably Thirteen small ponds, with a total outnumber all other recreational users in surface area of about 93 acres, lie in the this area, but there is also substantial Wilderness. Vertical cliffs of use by hunters and anglers. Hunting is considerable height are common, less abundant on the southern portion of particularly in the northern and eastern the unit due to seasonal access parts. restrictions on the Elk Lake Conservation Easement. Some of the most severe and extensive forest fires of the Adirondacks The State, in l978 and l980, occurred in this area during a prolonged purchased in fee 9,3ll acres from the drought period in 1903. As a result, the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. tops and upper slopes of the mountains Approximately 3,269 acres have not only lost their forest cover but the become part of the Dix Mountain humus was also consumed and the Wilderness including the following mineral soil was eroded down to bare summits: Noonmark, Bear Den, Dial, rock. Colvin, and Pinnacle. The State was given a conservation easement on the remaining Adirondack Mountain

Reserve (AMR) lands generally below northeast by the Cranberry Lake Wild 2,500 feet in elevation, limiting future Forest and the southern edge of Otter development of these lands while Brook Road; on the southeast by the 2.4 permitting public access through the mile road from the Otter Brook Road to AMR property to State lands the Lows Upper Dam and the 2.2 mile road from the road to the Lows Upper The Adirondack Trail Improvement Dam (providing deeded access to a Society, with headquarters at St. large inholding on the north shore of Huberts, maintains a system of foot Lows Lake owned by the Boy Scouts trails in the northern and northwestern and private lands) and south across part of the area, with approval of the Lows Lake to easement lands near New York State Department of Long Pond and down to and including Environmental Conservation. These Bog Lake and Clear Pond; on the south trails extend to such mountain tops as by private lands in the vicinity of Gull Round Top, Noonmark, Bear Den, Dial, Lake, and the Stillwater Reservoir; on Nippletop, Colvin, Blake and Pinnacle. the southwest by the Pepperbox Wilderness; and on the west by Generally, public access to the area Watson’s East Triangle and Aldrich is easily gained. Pond Wild Forests. In the vicinity of Young's Road in Star Lake the Wild A Unit Management Plan was Forest and Wilderness boundary is the adopted for this area in 2004. Tamarack Creek snowmobile trail and the South Access Trail from Youngs Road. Land south and east of this Dix Mountain area statistics: boundary will be classified Wilderness upon acquisition of inholdings. State Lands 44,743 Acres Bodies of Water (13) 93 Acres In 1975, the Oswegatchie River was Elevation classified as a wild river by the Wild, (minimum) 885 Feet Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act, and (maximum) 4,857 Feet in 1977 was closed to motorboat use. Foot Trails 48 Miles The fire truck trail that once served High Lean-tos 2 Falls from Wanakena was closed in Non-conforming Uses: None 1976. Within the former Oswegatchie Primitive Area, approximately 7.2 miles of snowmobile trails were closed and FIVE PONDS two tent platforms were removed. These actions made the reclassification of the This Wilderness is located in the Oswegatchie Primitive Area possible, Towns of Fine, Clifton, Colton and adding 16,920 acres to the Five Ponds Piercefield in St. Lawrence County, the Area. Town of Webb in Herkimer County and the Town of Long Lake in Hamilton The Broadhead Gore was acquired County. The lands of this unit are by the State in 1976. Prior to that, this bounded on the north by Cranberry parcel was considered State land from Lake, a portion of the Oswegatchie about 1890 to 1947 when the State lost River, and the road from NYS Route 3 it in a lawsuit brought by the late leading to Inlet and private lands; on the Augustus Low. The Gore, which

contained original growth timber, was to the Five Ponds Wilderness. This area logged soon after the lawsuit and was contains the Middle Branch of the then sold to the Onondaga Council of Oswegatchie River, Brindle Pond, the Boy Scouts of America. Although the Grassy Pond and Upper South Pond. Gore was only about 300 acres in size, The area also contains an inholding on it extended from Mud Pond westward a the north shore of Bear Pond, which, if distance of about eight miles, coming to acquired, should be added to this unit. a point in the Wilderness. This acquisition offers significant additional In 2005, 1,100 acres of land protection to the Five Ponds Wilderness. acquired in the vicinity of Bog Lake and Clear Pond were classified Wilderness In 1979 the State purchased 15,850 and added to the Five Ponds acres in the Towns of Webb and Long Wilderness providing a more direct Lake, 8,635 acres of which became part Wilderness canoe route to Lows Lake of this Wilderness. The remainder of the from the Remsen to Lake Placid Travel tract lies on the opposite side of the Corridor and the waters of Lake Lila in railroad and the road leading to Partlow the William C. Whitney Wilderness. Lake which became the Lake Lila Primitive Area. In 2000, approximately The terrain is low, rolling and 1,340 acres of the Lake Lila Primitive interspersed with many small ponds. Area lying westerly of the railroad were Wetlands and small brooks are added to the Five Ponds Wilderness numerous. The forest cover varies from Area. The State accepted the gift of a hardwoods in the sections that were conservation easement over 6,646 heavily logged and burned more than acres of land surrounding Nehasane forty years ago to virgin pine and spruce Lake, as well as fee interest subject to a stands. 50-year estate over 3,664 acres in the vicinity of Gull Lake. This latter parcel is This is one of the few locations in due to become part of the Five Ponds the northeastern United States where Wilderness in 2029. stands of virgin timber can be found. Early logging efforts avoided the area In 1982 the State purchased 6,676 because it was found to be impractical acres of land in the Town of Webb, to haul huge logs by horse and oxen out seller’s retained timber cutting rights to the landing on Wolf Creek. The old were extinguished in 1990. This land growth pine and red spruce stand on the was classified as Primitive and named esker between Big Five, Little Five and Wilderness Lakes. Upon expiration of Big Shallow, Little Shallow and the timber rights, the Primitive Area was Washbowl ponds is an example of this merged into the Five Ponds Wilderness. virgin timber. The pure pine stand at A private inholding remains and the Pine Ridge along the Oswegatchie is ROW associated with the private road is another well known spot where a Primitive Area. examples of original growth timber may be seen. However, portions of the Pine In 2000, approximately 13,220 acres Ridge stand were completely blown of land acquired in Watson’s East down in the 1950 hurricane and, Triangle and land classified Wild Forest pursuant to legislation, the timber was as part of the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest salvaged by a logging contractor. were reclassified Wilderness and added Additional pines on Pine Ridge and the

esker through the Five Ponds were The Mt. Electra observation tower blown down in the 1995 Derecho. was removed in September 1989, bringing this area into compliance with In addition to these spots, other Wilderness standards points of interest to the hiker, camper and angler are: High Falls on the In 2009, portions of the lands Oswegatchie River; Alder Bed Flow on belonging to the former Lows Lake the Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie Primitive Area were reclassified to River; Cat Mountain; "The Plains," which Wilderness and added to the Five are very similar in soil and cover type to Ponds Wilderness. In light of the that of the Moose River Plains; and Wilderness and Primitive classifications numerous, clear, spring-fed ponds, most of the land surrounding Lows Lake and of which support brook trout. The Bog River, DEC will manage the waters Oswegatchie River was long considered as Wilderness, precluding both public the top brook trout stream in the State, and administrative use of motor with catches of three to four pound vehicles, motorboats and aircraft to the brook trout common during the summer extent prohibited by the Wilderness months. This distinction was lost when classification. Public float plane use will perch were, apparently, introduced be eliminated December 31, 2011. accidentally into Cranberry Lake in 1945. Despite the adverse impacts to A Unit Management Plan was the brook trout population, the area is adopted for this area in1994. popular with hunters and anglers who frequent the interior ponds. Five Ponds area statistics: The Oswegatchie is a fine canoeing stream and is commonly used as such State Lands 125,363 Acres to reach interior wilderness points of Private Inholdings (7) 13,092 Acres interest. The river has received Bodies of Water (213) 2,699 Acres increasing use in recent years and care Elevation must be taken that such use does not (minimum) 1,386 Feet result in resource degradation. The (maximum) 2,489 Feet existing lean-tos on the river will be Foot Trails 68 Miles phased out and ultimately replaced by Lean-tos l4 primitive tent sites. Non-conforming Uses: Roads 1.5 Miles The Five Ponds area is accessible Gravel Pit 1 to the public from the north and also from the south if one has a boat or canoe. The area can also be reached GIANT MOUNTAIN from the southwest via the Raven Lake Road and from the east, by boat via the This area lies in Essex County, in Bog River/ Low's Lake tract. The the Towns of Elizabethtown and Keene, western boundary in Herkimer County is and is roughly bounded by Route 9N on accessible from the Bear Pond Road in the north; by Route 73 on the west and the Watson’s East Triangle Wild Forest. south; and Route 9 on the east.

During 1903, one of the major forest Two of the three small ponds are fires of the Adirondacks swept over the rather unique because of their location greater part of this area, burning the top- and attractiveness. Giant's Washbowl soil down to bare rock and leaving the lies in a small depression near the 2,300 two dominant mountains of this area, foot level on the lower south slope Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge, practically of Giant Mountain and has a surface bald. A few pockets on the lower slopes area of slightly over five acres. A lovely escaped the intense burn and are easily little tarn near the summit of Rocky Peak distinguishable as they now contain old Ridge, known as Lake Marie Louise, is growth white pine and hemlock stands reminiscent of the subalpine lakes of the with some mixed hardwoods. western United States. The sharp col between Giant Mountain and Rocky The topography of the area is steep Peak Ridge, referred to as Gusty Gap, and rocky with a considerable number of is another attractive feature of the area. vertical or near vertical cliffs. A number of landslides have occurred on the west Many small brooks cascade down side of Giant Mountain, exposing bare from the upper slopes. One in particular, rock. Numerous small brooks cascade Roaring Brook, has a scenic waterfall down from the upper slopes. and can be seen from Route 73, about one mile north of Chapel Pond. A The tops of the higher mountains number of similar brooks in the area are still bare rock but aspen, white birch, provide scenic spots as well as trout balsam and spruce are slowly filling in fishing pools. the upper slopes. The primary users of the area are From the eastern boundary of Route hikers who frequent it during all seasons 9, a few miles south of Elizabethtown, to of the year to enjoy the excellent views the top of Giant Mountain, the elevation from numerous vantage points on the changes about 4,000 feet in a horizontal tops and sides of the mountains. distance of approximately six (6) miles. Hunters also make considerable use of This represents the greatest differential the area. in elevation per horizontal mile of any Wilderness area in the Park. Access to the State lands around the perimeter is excellent, with Because of the great difference in trailheads available on each of the four temperatures and soil conditions sides. between these two elevations, the forest cover type ranges from stunted spruce, A 2002 addition to the area in the balsam and white birch near the Town of Keene created a 1.25 acre mountain tops, to excellent quality oak, inholding with an access road. maple, basswood and white ash at the lower elevations. There are also some A Unit Management Plan was excellent stands of hemlock on the adopted for this area in 2004. Keene Valley side near the AuSable River.

Giant Mountain area statistics: In the northern half, a mix of State Lands 23,528 Acres relatively small diameter hardwood and Bodies of Water (3) 7 Acres softwood stands predominate. The Inholdings (1) 1.25 Acres exceptions are the scattered individual Elevation white pine trees just north of the former (minimum) 580 Feet truck trail which remained following the (maximum) 4,627 Feet last logging operations prior to the State Foot Trails 33 Miles acquiring this area in the early l900's. Lean-tos 1 Some of these trees exceed 100 feet in Non-conforming Uses: height and are more than 40 inches in Road (private) 0.23 Miles diameter. The probable reason they escaped logging operations was that the final cut was for hardwoods. The HA-DE-RON-DAH scattered pines represented insufficient revenue in relation to the logging costs This area is located in the Town of to fell and haul them. Webb, Herkimer County, and the Town of Greig, Lewis County. Public access from the north and south is nearly all blocked by private It is bounded on the north by private lands. The same is true for most of the lands in the vicinity of North Pond, eastern and western boundaries except Hitchcock Pond, Moose Pond and the at the Big Otter Trail entrance near headwaters of the Independence River; Thendara and the Big Otter Lake road in on the east by private lands along the Independence River Wild Forest from Remsen to Lake Placid Railroad the west. right-of-way; on the south by private lands along Route 28 and by the wood The following non-conforming uses road leading to the Copper Lake have been removed from this area: 6.5 property; and on the west by Pine Creek miles of a truck trail, 2.3 miles of and a Department of Environmental snowmobile trails, one fire tower, one Conservation maintained foot trail from observer cabin and 1.8 miles of Pine Creek to Pine Lake, East Pine telephone line. This area now fully Pond and Big Otter Lake. The present complies with Wilderness standards. Wilderness boundary was established recognizing the well established A Unit Management Plan was motorized access in the adjacent adopted for this area in 1995. Independence River Wild Forest.

The terrain consists of low rolling Ha-De-Ron-Dah area statistics: hills with many beaver meadows and wetlands. State Lands 25,272 Acres Bodies of Water (41) 406 Acres Although the area is forest covered, Elevation extensive forest fire damage in the (minimum) 1,437 Feet southern half has resulted in much of it (maximum) 2,353 Feet now being covered with brush, pin Foot Trails 35 Miles cherry, aspen and bracken fern. Lean-tos 2

Non-conforming Uses: None hardwood and softwood stands, to the spruce-fir of the subalpine region and the alpine meadows above timberline. HIGH PEAKS Forest fires near the turn of the cen- This is the Park’s largest Wilderness tury were intense enough in some area and it is located in three counties locations, such as the Cascade Range, and six Towns: the Town of to destroy both vegetation and topsoil, Harrietstown in Franklin County, the leaving bare rock. It will take many Towns of North Elba, Keene, North years for enough soil to develop to Hudson and Newcomb in Essex County support a forest. However, the greater and the Town of Long Lake in Hamilton part of this area is predominantly County. It is roughly bounded on the forested with mixed hardwoods and north by Route 3, the Pine Pond Road, softwoods. The higher elevations at and which runs from Oseetah Lake to near most mountain tops have thick Averyville Road, the Adirondack Loj stands of stunted balsam with some property at Heart Lake, the Mount Van spruce, white birch and yellow birch. Hoevenberg Intensive Use Area and Route 73 near the Cascade Lakes. The tops of Mount Marcy and Private lands to the west of Route 73 Algonquin Peak are above the form the eastern boundary. The timberline and a number of other southern boundary is also formed by mountain tops are at, or close to, private lands, including the Adirondack timberline. The subalpine and alpine Mountain Reserve, The Nature vegetation on the tops of these Conservancy, NL Industries and mountains has been of interest to many Huntington Wildlife Forest, managed by people, including students of botany, the State University College of ecology and zoology, as well as Environmental Science and Forestry. recreationists willing to hike to the Much of these private lands are mountain tops for superb views of the encumbered by conservation High Peaks region and close easements held by the State or are held observation of unique plant in trust for the People of the State of associations. Overuse threatens the New York. This Wilderness is bounded continued existence of some of these on the west by Long Lake and the associations. The Department has a Raquette River. long-standing partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the The topography ranges from small Adirondack Mountain Club which places areas of low-lying wetland (e.g., along stewards on a number of these alpine the West Branch of the Ausable, summits to educate hikers, interpret the Raquette and Saranac Rivers) to the alpine ecology, and monitor plant highest point in New York State at the populations. This partnership has top of Mount Marcy. Although there is a significantly improved conditions on a considerable variety of topography, it is number of the high peaks. predominantly high mountain country. The Range Trail, which traverses a Like the topography, the forest series of mountain summits from Keene cover also varies. It ranges from young Vally to Mount Marcy, has long been hardwoods, to mature, large diameter considered the most rugged and the

most scenic trail in the State. This trail recommendations adopted in the 1999 traverses eight of the mountain peaks in Unit Management Plan (UMP) have this area that exceed 4,000 feet in identified appropriate management elevation. The Western Management actions to minimize or eliminate many of Zone of the area receives substantially the threats to the resource. Subsequent less public use than the Eastern to the adoption of the UMP for this unit Management Zone (Mount Marcy in 1999, the Department developed a region) and affords one of the greatest comprehensive campsite plan for the senses of remoteness obtainable in the Eastern Management Zone. To date, Adirondacks. this plan has been implemented, with the exception of the camping sites along Many crystal-clear streams cascade Meadows Lane (formally known as from the mountain slopes, providing South Meadows Road). numerous scenic waterfalls, deep pools and brook trout fishing opportunities. The ranger station at Marcy Dam Such streams as the Opalescent River, will be phased out in accordance with Johns Brook, Klondike Brook, Marcy the policy of achieving peripheral Brook, Cold River, Moose Creek and control. Due to the expected degree of Cold Brook are photographers' favorites. use of the Lake Colden area, particularly Lake Tear of the Clouds, the source of in the winter months, Wilderness the Hudson River, lies at about 4,300 guidelines permit the indefinite retention feet in altitude on a flank of Mount of the Lake Colden station. The ranger Marcy. station at Raquette Falls on the extreme western boundary of this Wilderness is Recreationalists find an abundance considered a peripheral control facility of scenic spots such as Wanika Falls, as the Raquette river is open to Indian Falls, Indian Pass, the Duck motorboats. While the necessity of the Hole, Avalanche Pass, and Panther retention of the Lake Colden and Gorge, in addition to numerous Raquette Falls ranger stations has been mountain peaks. identified in the existing UMP for the area, their continued usefulness will be Hikers and mountaineers probably subject to periodic review. outnumber all other user groups. Skiing and snowshoeing throughout the area, An on-ground telephone line exists particularly the Eastern Management between The Garden Parking Lot and Zone, had increased in popularity in the the Johns Brook Ranger Station to late 1960’s through the 1980’s. Winter provide reliable communication. All mountaineering and winter camping other, on and above ground, telephone continue to be highly popular. lines in the unit have been removed. Adequate communication is now The most heavily used trails in the possible between other stations using entire Adirondacks are those to Mount the Departments’ VHF radio network or Marcy from Adirondack Loj via Marcy the existing private land cellular Dam or Lake Colden. The heavy public network. At such time as cellular use near Marcy Dam, Lake Colden and coverage is available at the Johns Brook in the John's Brook Valley threatens to Ranger Station, the remaining lines will destroy the wilderness character of be removed from this area. these sections. Management

Meadows Lane is a town maintained John’s Brook Valley) could pose a threat public road which extends about a mile to the surrounding State lands, if the east into the Wilderness from Adirondak owners or future owners decide to Loj road. This road should be closed to establish any one of several conform to Wilderness guidelines. The non-compatible land uses that might Department of Environmental serve their particular interests. Conservation has committed to work with the Town of North Elba towards this Fee title or conservation easements closure. Closure of Meadows Lane will should be acquired by the State on enhance the wilderness character of the other key parcels of privately held land South Meadows area, which is within or adjacent to this Wilderness as frequently used as a jumping-off point outlined in the New York State Open for trips into the Eastern Management Space Conservation Plan. Zone. The following non-conforming uses The level of public use in the High have been removed from the area: 19.3 Peaks Eastern Management Zone has miles of administrative roads, 35.1 miles attained levels where trail erosion, soil of jeep trails, two fire towers, two compaction and generalized resource observer cabins, two ranger cabins problems are readily apparent. Group telephone lines, four tent platforms, two camping in the Lake Colden/Flowed lean-to clusters, and ten lean-tos above Lands area has already been restricted 3,500 feet in elevation. in peak periods by the Department of Environmental Conservation and this A minor change in the boundary of measure has been generally accepted this area was made in 1979 recognizing by users. Measures to control or limit a small segment of a public road near public use in particular areas were Walton Brook in the Town of Keene. adopted in 1999 through the Unit Also in 1979, two sub-lots adjacent to Management Plan the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Recreation Area consisting of approximately 260 In l978 and l980, the State acquired acres were reclassified from Wilderness 9,3ll acres of land in fee from the to Intensive Use in recognition of an Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). improved cross country ski trail that has Approximately 6,039 acres have been mechanically maintained in this become part of the High Peaks area since 1966. Wilderness, including the following summits: Haystack, Little Haystack, In 2009 New York State acquired Basin, Saddleback, Sawtooth, Gothics, 6,806 acres from the Open Space Armstrong, Upper Wolfjaw and Lower Conservancy, Inc. (OSC). These lands Wolfjaw mountains. The State received, were classified as Wilderness and by gift, a conservation easement on the included in the High Peaks unit. Within remaining AMR lands, limiting future this addition are 3 inholdings: one parcel development while permitting public contains a fire tower on the summit of access across AMR property to reach Mt. Adams, the second contains adjacent State land. remnants of two fire tower observer cabins, and the third is a shoreline A number of remaining interior parcel along Upper Preston Pond with a private parcels (generally located in the small log cabin. Each of these

inholdings will be subject to a Telephone Lines conservation easement held by the On-ground line* 4.0 Miles State of New York. The State holds a Roads (public) 1 Mile purchase option for the Upper Preston Pond parcel. A fourth private parcel, *Non-conforming uses whose removal which adjoins the Tahawas/Henderson cannot be scheduled by a fixed Lake tract, includes the Masten House deadline. on Henderson Lake. This parcel has been retained by OSC. HOFFMAN NOTCH In light of the Wilderness and Primitive Area classification of lands This area lies in the Towns of surrounding Henderson Lake, DEC will Schroon, North Hudson and Minerva in manage the waters as Wilderness. Essex County. It is bounded on the north by private lands lying south of the The newly acquired parcel Boreas Road (County Route 2B) and contains several trails already the Sand Pond Mountain tract donated maintained by NYSDEC and includes to the State by Finch, Pruyn and structures such as a lean-to and pit privy Company for fish and wildlife on Henderson Lake, bridges (including management, silvicultural research and cable suspension bridges), historical experimentation purposes; on the east remnants of old roads, road culverts, by the Adirondack Northway and private water pipelines and other remains found lands immediately west of the Northway; from when mining occurred on the site. on the south by private lands lying north of the Loch Muller Road; and on the Public access to the perimeter of the west by the jeep road and trail that area is generally good. extends from Irishtown along Minerva Stream northward to the Boreas Road A Unit Management Plan was near Cheney Pond. adopted for this area in 1999. The area is mountainous and rugged, dominated by three north-south High Peaks area statistics: ridges in excess of 3,000 feet: Blue Ridge, Texas Ridge and Washburn State Lands 203,526 Acres Ridge. Private Inholdings (9) 3,743 Acres Bodies of Water (128) 2,030 Acres Sixteen bodies of water are located Elevation within the area. Cheney Pond, a former (minimum) 1,040 Feet flow created for the purpose of driving (maximum) 5,344 Feet logs down the Boreas River, lies Foot Trails 249 Miles adjacent to the area. Horse Trails 52 Miles Lean-tos 85 The forest cover ranges from Impoundments 2 second growth hardwoods saplings to nearly solid conifer stands of near ma- Non-conforming Uses: ture size at the higher elevations. On Ranger Cabins* 2 some of the better soil, exceptionally (Marcy Dam and Lake Colden) large diameter hardwoods occur.

Hoffman Mountain, which is the Hamilton County. It encompasses the highest point in the area and a part of wildest and most remote section of the the Blue Ridge Range, was selected by Hudson River, as well as a spectacular Town of Schroon officials as a potential white water gorge. ski area, but their proposal was defeated in the 1967 referendum. There are two foot trails within this Subsequent studies by independent area that have long been designated for experts have revealed that the mountain public use by the Department. From the is not suited for a major ski center. south, a trail leads from Route 28 to Whortleberry Pond, with short spur trails Three fairly extensive Department of to Ross and Big Bad Luck Ponds. From Environmental Conservation the north, a trail begins on Northwoods snowmobile trails, totaling 17.5 miles, Club Road and ends at Blue Ledge on were removed: one running north to the Hudson River. There are no public south through Hoffman Notch; one roads or other access routes to this running from Big Pond northward, then section of the Hudson River. In the past eastward; and another extending from relatively few people were successful in Loch Muller northward by Baily Pond to navigating the waters by canoe, boat or Washburn Ridge. A 2.5-mile jeep trail raft. These factors had served to retain was also removed, bringing this area this portion of the river and its fully into compliance with Wilderness immediate surroundings in a near standards. wilderness condition. River access has significantly increased with the Public access to the area is easily development of commercial rafting since gained, and its present use comes the early 1980’s. chiefly from hunters and anglers. Although no established foot trails A Unit Management Plan was parallel this section of the Hudson River, adopted for this area in 2012. the two above-mentioned trails, particularly the Blue Ledge Trail, receive considerable use. Unlike the majority of Hoffman Notch area statistics: the Adirondack Park, much of the underlying bedrock in this area is State Lands 38,360 Acres calcareous, which is reflected by the Bodies of Water (16) 177 Acres species and natural communities that Elevation occupy these lands and waters. The (minimum) 900 Feet river corridors along the Hudson and (maximum) 3,700 Feet Cedar Rivers, along with limey cliffs and Foot trails 15 Miles wetlands, feature a diversity of bryophytes and vascular plants that may Non-conforming Uses: None be unmatched in the Park. In addition to its biological diversity, Blue Ledge provides dramatic cliffs enjoyed by HUDSON GORGE those who run the river or hike to the river or ledges. Opportunities for good This Wilderness Area is in the fishing are available along the river and Towns of Newcomb and Minerva, Essex at several interior ponds. County, and the Town of Indian Lake,

The distance between Newcomb Essex County. It is predominantly steep, and North River is the most dramatic rocky ground with thin soils. Hurricane white water trip in the Adirondacks, if not Mountain, 3,694 feet in elevation, the State as a whole, and one of the dominates the area. On the north the most demanding and hazardous. Since area is separated from the Jay the early 1980’s, commercial white Wilderness Area by the Jay Mountain water rafting, utilizing a release from the Road, a rough road not plowed in the Lake Abanakee dam which permits rafts winter. Should the road ever be closed to gain access via the Indian River, has or abandoned, all or a major portion of increased dramatically on the lower this area could be consolidated with the portion of this route. This type of use Jay Wilderness. has reached about the maximum level consistent with the carrying capacity of Spectacular views of Giant the resources of the river banks and wild Mountain and High Peaks regions to the character of the river and care should be south, as well as the Champlain Valley taken not to exceed present use levels. and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the east, are afforded the hiker who This area was originally classified as scales Hurricane. There are three trails Primitive because of substantial private to Hurricane Mountain, permitting inholdings in the vicinities of the access by all types of hikers. Hikers can confluence of the Hudson and Indian also traverse the fairly open circuit trail Rivers, and Blue Ledge and the critical from Big Crow Mountain across Weston relationship of those lands to the river Mountain, down to Lost Pond and back gorge. The area was upgraded to to the starting point while enjoying the Wilderness in 2013 after most of the panorama of the High Peaks to the private lands – including their entire river southwest. frontage – were acquired. In 2010, 13,948 acres of the area The Department developed an were reclassified as Wilderness from Interim Access Plan for this area in June Primitive when 0.5 acres of land 2013. associated with the Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower was reclassified to Historic. This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan. A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2010.

Hudson Gorge area statistics: Hurricane Mountain area statistics: State Lands 23,494 Acres Bodies of Water (25) 314 Acres State Lands 13,948 Acres Foot Trails 7 Miles Bodies of Water (1) 7.4 Acres Non-conforming Uses: None Inholdings (2) 41 Acres Elevation (minimum) 810 Feet HURRICANE MOUNTAIN (maximum) 3,694 Feet Foot Trails 13.7 Miles This area is located in the Towns of Lean-tos 2 Elizabethtown, Jay, Keene and Lewis, Non-conforming Uses: None

JAY MOUNTAIN Jay Mountain area statistics:

This area lies within the Towns of State lands 7,896 Acres Jay and Lewis in Essex County. It is Elevation bounded by the Jay Mountain Road on (minimum) 1,420 Feet the south and private land boundaries (maximum) 3,600 Feet elsewhere, except where the road west Foot Trails 3 Miles of Mt. Fay severs an appendage of Non-conforming Uses: None State lands.

The high and precipitous mountains LITTLE MOOSE in this area are generally similar in character to the Hurricane Range and This area lies in Hamilton County, in require careful management in order to the Towns of Arietta, Morehouse and avoid natural resource degradation. The Lake Pleasant. To the north it is vistas from Jay, Saddleback and Slip bounded by the Moose River Plains Mountains make the climb to the Intensive Use Camping Area (along the vantage points well worthwhile. The Limekiln Lake – Cedar River Road) and AuSable Valley can be seen as well as the South Branch of the Moose River; to the Champlain Valley and the High the west by the Moose River Plains Wild Peaks. Forest near the Otter Brook Road; and on the south and east by the Moose The Jay Mountain Road, a River Plains Wild Forest corridor along seasonally maintained road, separates the routes of the former Otter Brook this area from the Hurricane Mountain Truck Trail and former Wilson Ridge Wilderness. A drive along this rough Road. The area does not include Little gravel road offers both attractive views Moose Lake, its boundary looping of the upland region above Keene around the lake and crossing its outlet Valley and access to lovely stands of just west of where the outlet – the South white birch on the lower slopes. Branch of the Moose River – begins at the lake. Although this area is below 10,000 acres in size and was originally Comprised almost entirely of the classified as a Primitive Area, it is large slopes of Little Moose and Manbury enough to provide a sense of Mountains, this Wilderness exists remoteness and to be maintained in an between the upper reaches of the South unimpaired condition and therefore was Branch of the Moose River and that reclassified as Wilderness in l985. river’s first major tributary, Otter Brook. Should the Jay Mountain Road be Both these rivers are designated closed, this area could be extended to “Scenic” rivers. The terrain is encompass all, or a major portion, of the predominantly steep and rugged, the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness. only notable areas of exception being some wetland flats in the upper river A Unit Management Plan was area of the South Branch of the Moose adopted for this area in 2010. River. Sly Pond, at an elevation of 2,872 feet above sea level, is more than 1,000 feet higher than nearby Beaver Lake or Icehouse Pond down in the Moose River

Plains and is one of the highest water Falls Reservoir border on the north; the bodies in the Adirondacks. Nearly 800 Wilmington- Franklin Falls Road, the feet upslope from Sly Pond is the 3,634- Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway feet summit of Little Moose Mountain, and the west branch of the AuSable the highest point in the area. Some River form the eastern boundary; the restricted but rewarding views are Saranac Lake-Lake Placid Road, Route afforded from a small ledge near the 86 between Lake Placid and Ray Brook, spruce-fir forested summit. The spruce- forms the southern boundary; and the fir forest here, which also encompasses Saranac River forms the western the higher elevations of nearby Manbury boundary. Mountain, is potential breeding habitat for the Bicknell’s thrush. McKenzie Mountain, sometimes referred to as Saddleback, and Moose While the entire perimeter of the Mountain, sometimes called St. Armand area is accessible via either the Forest Mountain, are the dominant Preserve road network of the Moose topographical features of the area. River Plains or the mountain bike trail of the Moose River Plains Wild Forest McKenzie Pond, from which the corridor, the South Branch of the Moose Village of Saranac Lake obtains its River on the north and west lacks foot water supply, forms part of the boundary bridges and can be challenging to cross, on the west side as does Moose Pond and no foot trails lead into the area from However, few ponds are fully the corridor. Public use of this area is encompassed within the boundaries of low and the opportunities for solitude this area. Bartlett Pond, lying at about very high. 2,800 feet altitude on the southeast side of McKenzie Mountain, and Loch Bonnie This area does not yet have an which is at about 2,900 feet altitude on adopted Unit Management Plan. the southeast side of Moose Mountain, are completely within the Wilderness boundary. Little Moose area statistics: The area is densely forested with State Lands 12,258 Acres softwoods. Spruce and balsam dominat- Bodies of Water (2) 24 Acres e the forests above the 2,500 feet and Elevation mixed hardwoods and softwoods (minimum) 1,840 Feet dominate the lower elevations. (maximum) 3,634 Feet Foot Trails 4.6 Miles During the 1950 hurricane, heavy Horse Trails 3.3 Miles blow down occurred in a number of Non-conforming Uses: None spots, chiefly in the saddle between Whiteface Mountain and Mount Alton to the west. MCKENZIE MOUNTAIN In the legislatively authorized timber This area is located in western salvage operation conducted after 1950, Essex County in the Towns of St. log roads were bulldozed along Lincoln Armand, North Elba and Wilmington. In Brook from the north and at the head of general, the Saranac River and Franklin Lake Placid from the south. Most of

these log roads have now become The Adirondack Mountain Club overgrown with dense, second growth originally maintained a foot trail from the hardwoods. vicinity of Wolf Pond near Route 86 to the top of McKenzie Mountain. To avoid Although the area is in close private land conflicts, the trail was proximity to the Villages of Saranac relocated in 1984 and now begins at the Lake on the southwest and Lake Placid pull-off east of the Saranac Lake Golf on the southeast, the interior has Course on Route 86. retained its wilderness atmosphere. This is due to the steep and rugged terrain Public access to the area is which effectively prevented motor relatively good from all but the northern vehicle penetration prior to its side. The area is used to a considerable Wilderness designation in 1972. extent by hikers to climb the mountains, by anglers to try their luck in the small In the 1800’s, when logging was at brooks and by hunters chiefly during the its peak in the Adirondacks, a road was big game season. constructed from the vicinity of the Whiteface Toll Gate southwestward Approximately six miles of following the 2,400 foot contour for snowmobile trails have been closed and several miles along the side of Esther four tent platforms removed from this Mountain and Whiteface Mountain. The area. The former drive-in theater site road was well built, with culverts and adjacent to Route 86 was added to this ditches, for horsedrawn sleds to Wilderness in 1979. After temporary use transport logs to the head of Red Brook, as a vehicle parking area and storage where a small pool of water, known as area for the 1980 Winter Olympics, this Lake Stevens, formed the start of a log area was allowed to revegetate. flume that ran approximately three miles to the Ausable River. Once at the river, This area does not yet have an the logs were floated down to the pulp adopted Unit Management Plan. mill in Ausable Forks. Although the old road is gradually being reclaimed by second growth hardwoods, its location will McKenzie Mountain area statistics: likely remain in evidence for many years. State Lands 37,220 Acres Private Inholdings (1) 184 Acres The attractiveness of the area is Bodies of Water (12) 74 Acres enhanced by the excellent views that Elevation may be obtained from the top of (minimum) 1,320 Feet McKenzie Mountain and Moose (maximum) 4,869 Feet Mountain. Also, there are numerous Foot Trails 18.4 Miles spring-fed brooks in the area. Lincoln Lean-tos 1 Brook and French Brook, with their Non-conforming Uses: None tributaries originating high on the northwest slopes of Esther Mountain and Whiteface Mountain, are crystal clear trout streams with many scenic spots along their courses.

PEPPERBOX The area is classified as Wilderness The Pepperbox Wilderness lies because of its remoteness and its within the Town of Webb in Herkimer extensive wetland ecosystems. The County and the Town of Watson, Lewis flora and fauna associated with wetland County. Stillwater Reservoir and the ecosystems, such as found in the Beaver River form the southern Pepperbox, exhibit great species boundary, while the north bank of the diversity. Bird life and small mammals West Branch of the Oswegatchie River are especially abundant and the generally forms the northern boundary. protection afforded Wilderness will The western boundary is primarily the ensure this areas significant biological county line, and the eastern boundary is importance. the Raven Lake Road Primitive Area and the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. The remnant of the deserted Beaver Lake Mountain fire tower has been In 2000, approximately 7,935 acres removed and the rough road, 2.5 miles of lands classified Wild Forest were in length, has been closed. There is very classified Wilderness and added to this little use of the area at present, except unit. This area included the West for some light hunting. Access is Branch of the Oswegatchie River, Tied moderately difficult because of the Lake, and Buck Pond. There are three distance from public roads and the lack inholdings within this area that, if ever of a trail system except for the trail to acquired, should be included in this unit. Jakes Pond in a portion of the area that was reclassified from Wild Forest to In 2006, the State acquired the Wilderness in 2000. There is little or no gravel extraction rights in the Beaver demand for a trail system and this offers River Primitive Area, thus eliminating an opportunity to retain a portion of the the non-conforming use of that area. Adirondack landscape in a state that The Beaver River Primitive Area has even a purist might call Wilderness. been reclassified as Wilderness and added to the Pepperbox area. A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 1985. The terrain is generally flat with a few small, rolling hills. Wetlands predominate along with spruce, fir and Pepperbox area statistics: red maple. Alder thickets, marsh and beaver flows are also common. The State Lands 23,816 Acres drier sites are vegetated with northern Bodies of Water (59) 549 Acres hardwoods. The entire area appears to Inholdings (3) 594 Acres have been heavily burned over and logged in the past and is not particularly Elevation scenic by usual standards. It is, (minimum) 1,360 Feet however, ideally suited for snowshoeing (maximum) 2,168 Feet and crosscountry skiing. Foot Trails 2.0 Miles Non-conforming Uses: Utility ROW Several ponds are found in the area. They are generally of low productivity and some may even be sterile.

PHARAOH LAKE and cliffs, presenting more of an impression of relief than actually exists. The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area is located in the Towns of Schroon and This area was expanded in 1979 by Ticonderoga in Essex County and in the the reclassification of the Crane Pond Towns of Horicon and Hague in Warren Primitive Area to Wilderness, with the County. The area is bounded on the exception of the right-of-way Crane west by East Shore Road and private Pond Road. The 3.5 miles snowmobile land; north by Route 74, the great lot trail leading from Route 74 to the Crane line between Eagle and Pyramid Lakes Pond Road, was closed in 1975 by the and private land; east by Bald Ledge Department of Environmental Primitive Area, Putnam Pond Public Conservation, making this Campground and private land; and reclassification possible. On December south by Route 8 and private land. Part 4, 1989, Environmental Conservation of the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area Commissioner Jorling issued an order lies within the Lake George Park. pursuant to Highway Law 212 closing Crane Pond Road. The closure order Pharaoh Lake, an extremely was subsequently upheld in State attractive body of water, is one of the Supreme Court and the Appellate largest lakes in the Adirondack Park Division, Third Department. The totally surrounded by forest preserve Department and the Agency will work lands. Due to its configuration, it can together with local government officials provide a wilderness experience to and others to resolve continuing public relatively large numbers of people. In use issues in the Crane Pond Road addition, the numerous crystal-clear corridor. ponds, vistas resulting from rock outcrops and severe fires, and intriguing In 2007, the State acquired a 101 geographic names such as Grizzle acre parcel along the eastern boundary Ocean, Thunderbolt Mountain, Oxshoe of the area. This acquisition Pond and Desolate Brook, make this extinguished a right-of-way, enabling an one of the most appealing of all adjacent parcel of 210 acres to be Adirondack areas. reclassified from Primitive Area to Wilderness, thus extinguishing the Fires have burned over most of the Hague Brook Primitive Area. region in the past. Coupled with the relative dryness of the area, there is a Because of the proximity to the proliferation of conifers mixed with some Adirondack Northway and the white birch. The white pine-white birch population pressures of the Capital mixture along the shores of several of District, the thin soils left on the burned the lakes and ponds adds immeasurably slopes, and the relatively small size of to their attractiveness. Stands of some the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, restrictive of the best quality Adirondack management is necessary to protect the hardwoods exist in the cove-like pockets resources in this area. In addition to of the unburned area in the northeast. peripheral control, called for in the guidelines, increasing levels of public Pharaoh Mountain is the only use and associated resource impacts mountain of significant size, although indicate that limitations on public access the smaller hills have very steep sides

will be required to protect the fragile The terrain consists of low, rolling character of the area in the future. hills, with the exception of West Mountain near the eastern boundary. The following non-conforming uses There are many brook trout ponds and have been removed from the area: 8.5 streams and a considerable expanse of miles of jeep trails, 5.3 miles of wetlands along the courses of Sucker snowmobile trails, a fire tower, an Brook and Beaver Brook. observer cabin and telephone lines. The forest cover is composed of A Unit Management Plan was mature or near-mature mixed softwoods adopted for this area in 1992. and hardwoods, with some dense spruce-balsam near the summit of West Mountain and in the wetlands. Old Pharaoh Lake area statistics: growth white pine in the vicinity of Pigeon Lake and a few other places State Land 44,588 Acres adds to the wilderness character. Bodies of Water (49) 1,587 Acres Elevation The area is easily accessible to the (minimum) 820 Feet public from the south, southeast and (maximum) 2,556 Feet southwest, but to a lesser extent from Foot Trails 63 Miles the west and north because of posted Horse Trails 14 Miles private lands. The chief attractions for Lean-tos 13 the public are the trout ponds, which Impoundments 1 entice anglers as well as campers who Non-conforming Uses: frequent scenic spots around Cascade Road (public) 1 Mile Lake, Queer Lake, Constable Pond, Pigeon Lake and Gull Lake. It is also a popular area for hunters during the big PIGEON LAKE game season.

This area lies in the Town of Webb, The Department of Environmental Herkimer County, and the Towns of Conservation maintains Brown Tract Long Lake and Inlet in Hamilton County. Pond Campground on the southeast It is bounded on the north by Stillwater perimeter. Motorboats are now banned Reservoir and large blocks of private from operating on the Brown Tract land in the vicinity of Rose Pond, Ponds to provide a more compatible Shingle Shanty Pond and Upper Sister situation for canoes and other Lake; on the east by a private road from non-motorized boats utilized by Brandreth Lake to North Point and campers. This site makes a fine starting Raquette Lake; on the south by private location for wilderness users. lands along the Uncas Road; and on the west by the Big Moose Road, private The 1.5 mile administrative road and lands near Big Moose Lake, Thirsty the 3.8 mile snowmobile trail have been Pond, Twitchell Lake, Razorback Pond, closed. The fire tower, observer cabin and the Remsen to Lake Placid Travel and telephone lines have also been Corridor. removed, bringing this area into compliance with Wilderness standards.

A Unit Management Plan was features, including Trout, Little Trout and adopted for this area in 1992. High Ponds.

The terrain consists of low and Pigeon Lake area statistics: rolling hills interlaced with streams and wetlands. Forest cover ranges from State Lands 48,358 Acres predominately moist beech-maple cover Bodies of Water (78) 1,468 Acres in the uplands to complexes of spruce-fir Elevation flats, evergreen wetlands and shrub (minimum) 1,686 Feet swamps in the lower lying areas. (maximum) 2,928 Feet Foot Trails 42 Miles Round Lake is impounded by a Lean-tos 5 man-made dam. The area around the Horse trails 1.6 Miles lake has been logged since the 1800’s Non-conforming Uses: None first as part of Whitney Park and later by International Paper Corporation. This lake formed part of the historic route for ROUND LAKE floating logs that traveled from Little Tupper Lake into Round Lake, then The area is located in the Town of down the Round Lake Outlet and Bog Long Lake, Hamilton County and in the River into Tupper Lake. A network of Towns of Piercefield and Colton, St. logging roads and landings are evidence Lawrence County. It is bounded on the of the logging activities that occurred on north by the Bog River; on the east by the property prior to State acquisition. private lands; on the south by the The roads also provided access to Sabattis Road; and on the west by the hunting clubs that leased the property. privately-owned Loon Pond tract and the The cabins built by the clubs have been Remsen to Lake Placid Travel Corridor. removed from the property, along with Created in 2006, as the result of re- storage facilities and the Sabattis Forest classifying a portion of the Horseshoe Ranger Station. Lake Wild Forest and classifying the more recently acquired Round Lake This same route now offers a tract, this area provides an important challenging trip for advanced canoeists linkage between the William C. Whitney and kayakers. It features a run through Wilderness and the Eastern Five Ponds the gorge cut by the Round Lake Outlet Access Primitive Area to the north. This down to the Bog River, as well as a linkage serves to protect important series of rapids and carries around ecological connections as well as rapids and falls on the Bog River below primitive recreational opportunities for the Lower Dam. In addition to the public. opportunities for boating, the waters of the area provide good fishing and Portions of the Bog River and primitive camping opportunities. Foot Round Lake Outlet classified as Scenic trails from the Lower Dam and Sabattis according to the Wild, Scenic and Road provide hiking access to Trout Recreational Rivers Act of 1975 flow Pond. These trails were closed to through the area. Round Lake and a snowmobile use after the area was number of ponds with large, associated reclassified from Wild Forest to wetland complexes are important water Wilderness.

This area does not yet have an Forest cover restricts the views from adopted Unit Management Plan. the highest summits in the unit. However, good views may be obtained from Pitchoff Mountain and some of the Round Lake area statistics: lower mountains on the periphery of the unit. Excellent views of Whiteface State Lands 10,356 Acres Mountain and the Wilmington Notch can Bodies of Water (15) 1,020 Acres be obtained from Copperas Pond. Elevation (minimum) 1,575 Feet Circa 1930, a ski trail was (maximum) 2,277 Feet constructed from the west boundary to Trails 2 Miles South Notch, and a lean-to was Impoundments 1 constructed at the terminus in the Notch. Non-conforming uses: None The ski trail formed a loop with the adjacent North Notch Ski Trail and was used for the 50 kilometer ski race in the SENTINEL RANGE 1932 Winter Olympics. The lean-to in the South Notch was built in 1931 for This area is located in the Towns of the Olympics. Both the South Notch and Wilmington, Jay, North Elba and Keene, North Notch Trails were very popular ski Essex County. It is bounded by Route trails up until World War II. These trails 86 on the north; Route 73 on the south; were retained primarily as hiking trails and private lands on the east and west. until the early 1990's when abandoned by the Department due to lack of use. The Sentinel Range and its slopes The lean-to in the South Notch was dominate the area and five small ponds removed around this time as well. are situated near the northern and northwestern boundaries. The northern portion of this area around the ponds is used to a Pitchoff Mountain and the lower considerable extent by campers and mountains and ridges in the northern anglers. and eastern portions of the unit are characterized by bare rock outcropping The major portion of the perimeter is that resulted from forest fires in the early readily accessible to the public from 1900’s. The terrain is steep and rugged, highways but has not been as with some vertical cliffs facing north and susceptible to penetration as some of northeast. the less rugged State land because of its terrain. The eastern slopes of the area have a hardwood forest that regenerated after In 1979, a very minor change in the the forest fires. There are mixed eastern boundary of this area was made hardwood and softwood stands, to more accurately reflect the location of primarily along brooks on the eastern a public road. In 1985, 1,120 acres were slopes. The remainder of the area has a added to the area extending the eastern mixed hardwood-softwood cover with boundary, in part, to the East Branch of some small pockets of white pine the AuSable River. between ledges near the northern boundary.

The jeep trail, 0.7 miles in length, level, including Bullhead, Eleventh, has been closed and two tent platforms Puffer and South Pond. In addition, the have been removed from this area. The area contains a large number of beaver Old Military Road, a Town road 3.5 meadows and wetlands. miles in length, has been closed and the area now fully conforms to wilderness Most of the area was heavily logged standards. nearly a century ago and some sections, particularly in the southeastern part, This area does not yet have an were burned over in forest fires. Much of adopted Unit Management Plan. the forest cover has been re-established and in some locations there are excellent quality stands of both Sentinel Range area statistics: hardwoods and softwoods. On most of the higher elevations, except those in State Lands 24,017 Acres severely burned spots, spruce and fir Bodies of Water (9) 88 Acres predominate, while mixed hardwoods Elevation and softwoods cover the remainder of (minimum) 660 Feet the area. (maximum) 3,880 Feet Foot Trails 7.1 Miles This large block of State land is Lean-tos 1 unbroken by public roads and has been Non-Conforming Uses: None generally protected from wheeled motor vehicle use. Old roads from logging days, most of which have been brushed SIAMESE PONDS in, are still evident.

The Siamese Ponds area is located This area has an approximately 33 in the Towns of Lake Pleasant, Wells square mile trail-less area in its southern and Indian Lake in Hamilton County and region which provides users a unique the Towns of Johnsburg and Thurman in opportunity to experience a remote Warren County. It is one of the largest experience. Wilderness areas, extending about 23 miles from north to south and about 17 The area is known for its lovely miles from east to west at its widest natural features. Some of the more part. popular attractions are: Thirteenth Lake, Chimney Mountain, Puffer Pond, It is roughly bounded by Route 28 Siamese Ponds, Auger Falls on the on the north; by private land tracts near West Branch of the Sacandaga River, Thirteenth Lake, Gore Mountain and the East Branch of the Sagandaga Bakers Mills and Route 8 on the east; by River, and John Pond. Chimney Route 8 on the south; and by Route 8, Mountain has ice caves that usually Speculator Tree Farm conservation retain snow and ice through the summer easement lands and Indian Lake on the months and provide an interesting spot west. for visitors.

The topography consists of Some of the unique streams and relatively low rolling hills with a few water bodies in this area are tannic and mountain summits above the 3,000 foot tea-like in color as a result of

surrounding vegetative material, while 8 and private lands near Piseco Lake, others are crystal clear. Water bodies Oxbow Lake, Hamilton Lake, Sand Lake range from stagnant ponds and and Lake Pleasant; on the east by seasonal vernal ponds to swift-flowing Route 30; on the south generally by the waters such as County Line and Peaked Hamilton County line; and on the west Mountain Brooks. by Route 10, the West Branch of the Sacandaga. Thirteenth Lake has a small sand beach at the northern end that makes a The terrain is relatively low with very desirable spot for picnics, bathing, rolling hills and only four mountain boating and camping. Additional summits that exceed 3,000 feet desirable camping spots can be found elevation. There is considerable around this lake, acreage of coniferous wetland as well as some beaver meadows along the A portion of the eastern shoreline of streams. Indian Lake, formerly classified as Inten- sive Use, has been reclassified and The forest cover is chiefly mixed added to this Wilderness. A very minor hardwoods and softwoods with some change in the western boundary of this nearly pure stands of large diameter area was made in 1979, resulting in the hemlocks. Although the entire area was creation of the Dug Mountain Primitive logged at some time in the past, much Area, a legal, private right-of-way of the standing timber, both hardwoods separating it from the remainder of the and softwoods, is now at or near Siamese Ponds Wilderness. maturity. In the wetland area along streams as well as the higher elevations A Unit Management Plan was around the mountain tops, the forest adopted for this area in 2005. cover is predominantly spruce and balsam.

Siamese Ponds area statistics: The famous Northville-Lake Placid Trail runs from the southern edge of the State Lands 113,176 Acres area through its center in a northerly Private Inholdings (2) 141 Acres direction, crossing the northern Bodies of Water (88) 1,084 Acres boundary near Piseco Lake. This trail Elevation was established by the Adirondack (minimum) 1,048 Feet Mountain Club in 1922, but was (maximum) 3,472 Feet subsequently taken over by the Foot Trails 61 Miles Department of Environmental Lean-tos 5 Conservation for marking and Non-conforming Uses: None maintenance. Two steel suspension bridges are on this trail, one crosses the West Branch of the Sagandaga River SILVER LAKE and the second crosses the Hamilton Lake Stream Outlet. This area is located in the Towns of Lake Pleasant, Benson, Hope, Wells Silver Lake is the principal attraction and Arietta in Hamilton County. It is near the center of this area, chiefly for roughly bounded on the north by Route brook trout anglers. Mud Lake, Rock

Lake and Canary Pond are also popular County. It is bounded on the north by trout fishing spots. Big Eddy on the the Moose River Plains Wild Forest area West Branch of the Sacandaga River and conservation easement lands in the also attracts visitors to the area. Hunters vicinity of Little Moose Lake, Squaw frequent the area during the big game Brook, Snowy Mountain and Squaw season. Mountain; on the east by Route 30, Perkins Clearing conservation easement The perimeter of the area is quite lands and the Northville-Lake Placid accessible to the public except for a few trail; on the south by lands of the Jessup parcels of private, posted land. In 1979 River Wild Forest Area, private lands Great Lot 121, consisting of north of Route 8, the South Branch of approximately 200 acres, was re- West Canada Creek and an access classified from Wilderness to become road to private lands; and on the west the Cathead Mountain Primitive Area. by West Canada Creek and private lands east of Honnedaga Lake. The following non-conforming uses have been removed from the area: 12 The terrain ranges from wetlands miles of jeep trails, 1.3 miles of and rolling hills to steep mountains such snowmobile trails, one fire tower, two as Snowy Mountain. Water drains from observer cabins and five miles of the area into three major watersheds: telephone lines. the Hudson, the Mohawk and the Black.

A Unit Management Plan was Among the area's chief attributes adopted for this area in 2006. are its numerous ponds, lakes and streams, most of which support a brook trout population. Although there are Silver Lake area statistics: many good trout fishing waters in this area, the ones that are most frequented State Lands 107,731 Acres by anglers are Big Rock Lake, Whitney Private Inholdings (5) 1,748 Acres Lake, Phillsbury Lake, Spruce Lake and Bodies of Water (55) 575 Acres Cedar Lake. The river area originating at Elevation the source of the Indian River to the (minimum) 807 Feet South Branch of the Moose River is a (maximum) 3,250 Feet designated Wild River under the New Foot Trails 21 Miles York State Wild, Scenic and Lean-tos 3 Recreational Rivers Act. West Canada Non-conforming Uses: Creek and Cedar River are also Suspension Bridges 2 designated rivers. The forest cover Powerline ROW 0.2 Miles consists chiefly of mixed hardwood-softwood species with large diameter trees of both types on the more fertile soils. There is also WEST CANADA LAKE considerable acreage of spruce-balsam wetlands and beaver meadows. This Wilderness is located in the Town of Ohio in Herkimer County and Among the spots that attract hikers the Towns of Morehouse, Arietta, Lake and campers, in addition to the Pleasant and Indian Lake in Hamilton previously mentioned lakes, are the

Northville-Lake Placid Trail, West was reclassified to Wilderness as a Canada Creek, Snowy Mountain and result of the removal of the fire tower, the eastern shore of Cedar River Flow. observers cabin and phone line.

Many campers from the three public In 1994, 9,925 acres of land were campsites on Piseco Lake and the reclassified from the Buell Brook campsites at Lewey Lake, as well as Primitive Area to Wilderness and added those in the Moose River Plains Wild to this area. Forest, utilize the foot trails in the area to reach points of special interest. Since In 2010, approximately 2,398 acres the Moose River tract was purchased by of the Moose River Plains Wild Forest the State, there has been increased use were reclassified and added to the of the foot trail from that area to Brook Wilderness at the same time the Moose Trout Lake and vicinity by both hunters River Plains Intensive Use Area was and anglers. created. These lands included Little Moose Lake and some significant low- Enforcement problems, stemming elevation wetland complexes in the east from the remoteness of the area, have and north that extends toward and been encountered in attempts to prevent include some of the shoreline of Cedar snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle River Flow. Following the construction of penetration into the Wilderness area. a parking area, a 2.3 mile section of the Physical barriers have been erected Indian Lake Road will be closed allowing within the Moose River Plains Wild the public to drive approximately one Forest Area at key locations to diminish half mile from Squaw Lake. this problem. This area does not yet have an In 1979, a 700-acre tract of the adopted Unit Management Plan. Moose River Plains Wild Forest Area was reclassified to become part of this Wilderness. This tract lies to the west West Canada Lake area statistics: and south of Indian Lake. Also in 1979, the western boundary was modified due State Lands 171,308 Acres to the identification of a private Private Inholdings (4) 2,027 Acres right-of-way adjacent to the West Bodies of Water (163) 2,928 Acres Canada Mountain Primitive Area. Elevation (minimum) 1,390 Feet In 1984, 14,458 acres were added (maximum) 3,899 Feet to the Wilderness as a result of the Foot Trails 67.2 Miles Perkins Clearing land exchange. This Lean-tos 16 land was previously classified as Impoundments 1 Primitive, Wild Forest and Resource Non-conforming Uses: None Management. Five more lakes and the remainder of Whitney Lake were added WILLIAM C. WHITNEY to the Wilderness, as were one lean-to and 11 miles of trail. This Wilderness Area is located in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton In 1985, the former Fort Noble County. It is bounded on the east by Mountain Primitive Area of 450 acres County Route 10; on the south by lands

of Whitney Industries; on the west by hardwoods, mixed woods, pine, and private lands; on the northwest by the spruce flats. Remsen to Lake Placid Travel Corridor; and on the north by other private land The vast expanses of the area are holdings. This Wilderness encompasses important to larger species of mammals, approximately 14,700 acres of land most notably white-tailed deer, black acquired from Whitney Industries in bear, and moose. Other species of 1998, as well as the reclassified portions mammals known to inhabit the area of the former Lake Lila Primitive Area include beaver, river otter, fisher, lying south of the Remsen to Lake coyote, bobcat, pine marten, red fox, Placid Railroad Travel Corridor. gray fox, and snowshoe hare. According to the NYS Breeding Bird The terrain is comprised of lakes, Atlas, the area abounds with bird life, ponds, wetlands, and low forested hills listing 125 species of birds breeding with a few modest mountains ranging as within, or adjacent to, the area. Little high as 2,297 foot Antediluvian Tupper Lake is the natal home to a Mountain. The centerpieces of this area genetically unique strain of brook trout are 2,300 acre Little Tupper Lake and that has proven itself to be superior in 1,400 acre Lake Lila, respectively, the terms of longevity, survival, growth, and seventeenth and twenty-second largest reproductive capability. The Little water bodies in the Adirondack Park. Tupper Lake strain of brook trout is The area also includes twelve smaller present in Little Tupper Lake, Rock water bodies, including Rock Pond, Bum Pond, and Bum Pond. Unfortunately, the Pond, Hardigan Pond, Doctors Pond, illegal introduction of bass has Antediluvian Pond, and Lily Pad Pond. diminished the native brook trout The area also includes a short section of population. the Beaver River, Rock Pond Outlet, Salmon Lake Outlet, Charley Pond The property contains an extensive Outlet, and numerous other small network of logging roads which provide streams and flows. There are extensive prime cross-country ski trails. However, wetland complexes within the area, the primary access to the interior of this particularly along the western end of area is by water. The DEC’s Little Little Tupper Lake and the southeastern Tupper Lake Headquarters provides portions of Lake Lila. direct access to Little Tupper Lake, whereas a 0.25 mile carry to a put-in The lands within the William C. provides canoe access to Lake Lila. Whitney Area are almost entirely Although it would require a series of forested, but the newly acquired lands difficult carries, it is possible to have been significantly impacted by undertake a point-to-point canoe route timber harvesting (prior to State between Lake Lila and the Little Tupper acquisition) and both the former Whitney Lake Headquarters via Lily Pad Pond, lands and the former Lake Lila Primitive Little Salmon Lake, Hardigan Pond, Area lands have been heavily impacted Rock Pond, and Little Tupper Lake. In by blow down. The area falls within an light of the Wilderness classification of ecological transition zone between the surrounding lands, DEC will manage temperate deciduous forest and boreal Little Tupper Lake as Wilderness, forest and is dominated by northern precluding both public and administrative use of motor vehicles,

motorboats and aircraft to the extent prohibited by the Wilderness classification. All other water bodies are surrounded by lands classified as Wilderness and will be managed accordingly.

This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan.

William C. Whitney area statistics:

State Lands 13,678 Acres Elevation (minimum) 1,713 Feet (maximum) 2,280 Feet Bodies of Water (14) 4,234 Acres Foot Trails 17.4 Miles Horse Trails 4.2 Miles Non-conforming Uses: Steele Bridge 1

WILDERNESS STATISTICAL PARK WIDE TOTALS:

State Lands 1,145,837 Acres Private Inholdings (33) 21,700 Acres Bodies of Water (1,007) 19,609 Acres Foot Trails 787 Miles Horse Trails 75 Miles Lean-tos 151 Impoundments 5

Non-conforming Uses: Ranger Cabins* 2 Telephone Lines 4 Miles (on the ground) Roads (public) 2.73 Miles Steel Bridge 1 Suspension Bridge 1 Gravel Pit 1 Power Line 0.6 Miles

*Non-conforming uses whose removal cannot be scheduled by a fixed deadline.

PRIMITIVE AREAS system so that this area can become part of the Wilderness Area.

ALDER CREEK This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan. This area lies in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County and consists of a right- of-way to an inholding of private land in Alice Brook area statistics: the Pepperbox Wilderness. Should problems with motorized trespass on State Lands 21 Acres wilderness lands develop, this primitive Non-conforming Uses: corridor should be gated at the State Snowmobile Trails land boundary and its use limited to (public)* 3.5 Miles private access. While the inholder has used this right-of-way as access, the legal status of this right-of-way is AMPERSAND unclear. At such time as the inholding may be acquired, or at such time as the This area consists of a small belt of Department of Environmental forest preserve between Ampersand Conservation determines that there is Brook up to and including ampersand no legal right-of-way, this Primitive Area Park Road in the Town of Harrietstown, should be added to the Pepperbox Franklin County. It extends from the Wilderness Area. Ampersand Lake property westward to Stony Creek and northward to Stony This area does not yet have an Creek Ponds. adopted Unit Management Plan. The road, used as access to a large private parcel, prevented this area from Alder Creek area statistics: being classified as part of the High Peaks Wilderness. Should this parcel State Lands 23 Acres become State property at some future Non-conforming Uses: time, the road should be terminated at Roads (private)* 1.9 Miles or west of Stony Creek and the Primitive Area together with the private inholding should then be added to the High Peaks ALICE BROOK Wilderness. Ampersand Brook is a picturesque white water stream once This area is located in the Town of renowned for its excellent brook trout Fine and consists of a fifty-foot wide fishing. corridor, which includes a snowmobile trail that cuts across the top of the Five A Unit Management Plan was Ponds Wilderness Area between the adopted for this area in 1999. Youngs Road in Star Lake and the Inlet Road adjacent to Wanakena on the former Sternberg and Post Henderson Ampersand area statistics: Roads. Efforts should be made to relocate this important trail in the St. State Lands 424 Acres Lawrence County snowmobile trail Foot Trails 0.5 Miles

Non-conforming Uses: Bartlett area statistics: Roads (private)* 3.5 Miles Roads (public)* 0.8 Miles State Lands 6 Acres Non-conforming uses: Roads (public)* 1.4 Miles BALD LEDGE

This area consists of an appendage BEAR POND on the eastern side of the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness in the Town of Ticonderoga, This area lies in the Town of Webb, Essex County. A private road, used Herkimer County, and consists of two periodically during timber harvest on an rights-of-way, to provide access to two adjacent private parcel, crosses this inholdings deep within the Five Ponds area. Once the road is no longer and Pepperbox Wilderness Areas. The necessary this area can be added to the main fork of this Primitive Area, the Bear Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Pond Road, provides access to an inholding at Bear Pond and the westerly A Unit Management Plan was fork provides access to an inholding at adopted for this area in 1992. Twin Ponds. To avoid problems of motorized trespass on wilderness lands, this primitive area has been gated to Bald Ledge area statistics: public access in the immediate vicinity of the turn-off to “Old Upper South Pond State Lands 529 Acres Road,” and access beyond this point is Non-conforming Uses: limited to private access only. Should Roads (private)* 0.5 Miles the inholdings be acquired by the State, they should be added to the Five Ponds Wilderness and the Pepperbox BARTLETT Wilderness Area. The status of this primitive corridor and the Bear Pond This area is in the Towns of Jay, Road should then be evaluated to Wilmington and Keene in Essex County determine if it should remain open to the and consists of the right-of-way known public access as described above. as Bartlett Road. This seasonally maintained public road crosses the A Unit Management Plan was eastern portion of the Sentinel Range adopted for this area in 2010. Wilderness Area. Should this road ever be closed or abandoned, this area should be added to the Sentinel Bear Pond area statistics: Wilderness Area. State Lands 12 Acres This area does not yet have an Non-conforming Uses: adopted Unit Management Plan. Roads (private)* 4.2 Miles

BOQUET RIVER at the northwestern State land boundary. The right-of-way and the This area is located in the Town of acquisition should then be included in Elizabethtown in Essex County. It is the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, bounded on the north and west by precluding future motorized access. private land and on the south and east by State Route 9. A small section of the A Unit Management Plan was northwest and northeast boundaries adopted for this area in 1994. abut the Giant Mountain Wilderness. A gated private road from Route 9 to the northern private property exists. Buck Pond area statistics:

A Unit Management Plan was State Lands 48 Acres adopted for this area in 2004. Non-conforming Uses: Roads (public)* 0.6 Miles Roads (private)* 7.3 Miles Boquet River Statistics:

State Lands 86 Acres BUELL BROOK Non-conforming Uses: Roads (private)* 0.5 Miles This area is in the Town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County north of Buell Mountain. The Finch Pruyn Company BUCK POND donated approximately 10,000 acres, creating the original Primitive Area. One This area lies in the Town of Fine, small parcel in the center of the area, St. Lawrence County, and consists of a with its access road extending from the private right-of-way following a very north, was exempted from the donation. rough road. It provides access for all In 1994, 9,925 acres were reclassified terrain vehicles to an inholding of private as Wilderness, reconfiguring the area as land at Buck Pond deep within the Five an access corridor to the inholding. The Ponds Wilderness Area. This primitive remaining land and road are scheduled corridor and the private inholding are to become State lands and should be surrounded by the Five Ponds added to the West Canada Lakes Wilderness Area and public access by Wilderness when that occurs. motor vehicles or snowmobiles along this primitive corridor has created This area does not yet have an problems with all-terrain vehicles and adopted Unit Management Plan. snowmobile trespass on Wilderness lands beyond the Buck Pond inholding. The road has been gated and closed to Buell Brook Statistics: public motor vehicle use by the Department of Environmental Con- State Lands 14 Acres servation and private access only is Non-conforming Uses: allowed beyond Youngs Road. Should Roads (private) 3.5 Miles this inholding be acquired by the State, which should be a matter of highest priority, this road should be terminated

CATHEAD MOUNTAIN A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2005. This area consists of the Great Lot (121) in the Town of Benson, Hamilton County, a telephone line for the state Chatiemac Lake area statistics: operated fire tower on Cathead Mountain, lying within an inholding. State Lands 2 Acres Should this inholding be acquired by the Non-conforming Uses: State, two options are available Roads (public)* 0.5 Miles depending upon the need then for the Cathead Mountain fire tower: (i) either the fire tower and the telephone line DEAD CREEK could be removed and the whole area be added to the Silver Lake Wilderness The area is located in the Town of Area, or, (ii) the fire tower and telephone Piercefield, St. Lawrence County. It line to the tower, if found to be features a low-gradient section of Dead necessary, could remain and the Creek that meanders through alder primitive area be enlarged to include an swamps to its confluence with the appropriate, small acreage surrounding Raquette River near Sols Island. the Cathead Mountain tower, until such time as the tower is no longer needed at Much of the area is comprised of a which time the area should be added to large, ecologically significant wetland the Silver Lake Wilderness. complex containing a mix of conifer wetlands, conifer scrub and broadleaved A Unit Management Plan was adopted evergreen wetlands, and is considered for this area in 2006. an important representative example of the Adirondack low elevation boreal landscape. The area is classified as Cathead Mountain area statistics: Primitive even though it is unlikely to attain Wilderness standards due to its State Lands 212 Acres size. It is considered important to Non-conforming Uses: manage the area under Primitive Area Telephone Line* 0.5 Miles guidelines to ensure the protection of its high-quality, fragile wetland complexes in their natural states. CHATIEMAC LAKE The area provides opportunities for This area is located in the Town of canoeing in winding flat water with the Johnsburg, Warren County, and occasional need to carry over a beaver consists of the right-of-way of dam. Chatiemac Road, a Town road. The road provides access through the This area does not yet have an eastern edge of the Siamese Ponds adopted Unit Management Plan. Wilderness Area to a private inholding at Chatiemac Lake. Should this inholding ever be acquired, the road should be abandoned and made part of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area.

Dead Creek area statistics: Wilderness Area in the Village of Speculator, Hamilton County. It is State Lands 1,125 Acres bounded on the north, west and south Private Inholdings (1) 10 Acres by private lands. The private lands to Non-conforming Uses: the north constitute a virtual inholding Roads (private)* within the Wilderness. This appendage Access Road 0.7 Mile is separated from the Wilderness by a Carriage Road 6.0 Miles private road approximately 600 feet in length leading to the private holdings in the north. In the event that the private DEER RIVER lands ever are acquired by the State, the road should be closed, and this area This area is a narrow, long river together with the private inholdings corridor located in the Towns of Duane reclassified to Wilderness. and Santa Clara, Franklin County. It is bounded on the south by the Red A Unit Management Plan was Tavern Road (County Route 14) and adopted for this area in 2005. private lands; the north by the Blue Line of the Adirondack Park; the northeast by Cole Road; and on the east and west Dug Mountain area statistics: by private lands. This river corridor is lined by low elevation boreal wetlands. State Lands 50 Acres Outstanding opportunities for canoeing, Non-conforming uses: kayaking, hunting and fishing exist in Roads (private)* 0.1 Miles this undeveloped natural area, but it lacks the necessary acreage for Wilderness classification. The portion of EASTERN FIVE PONDS ACCESS the Deer River flowing through this parcel is protected as a Scenic River This area is located in the Towns of under the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Clifton, Colton and Piercefield in St. Rivers Act. Lawrence County and in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. The area This area does not yet have an is comprised of six small, detached adopted Unit Management Plan. corridors providing access to inholdings on the eastern margin of the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. The area also includes Deer River area statistics: two dams essential to preserving the Bog River-Lows Lake-Osewagatchie State Lands 1,870 Acres River Wilderness canoe route and Non-conforming Uses: important wetland complexes Steel bridge 1 associated with the Bog River Flow. Roads (private)* 0.5 Miles The first area lies in the Towns of Piercefield and Colton, St. Lawrence DUG MOUNTAIN County. It includes the Lows Upper and Lower Dams and the related access This is a small appendage of State road to the Upper Dam. The area is land adjacent to the Siamese Ponds classified as primitive because of the

essentially permanent nature of certain intervening area classified as major non-conforming uses which Wilderness. This Primitive Area will then preclude Wilderness classification, become part of the Five Ponds including the two large dams and the Wilderness Area. related road access to the Upper Dam. The third detached area is a corridor The two large dams are of a scale 1.6 miles in length located in the Town and character incompatible with a of Clifton, St. Lawrence County Wilderness designation. However, the providing access, (the legal nature of dams are essential to preserving the which is unclear) to a five-acre inholding canoe route and important wetland in an area known on the north shore of habitat and should be maintained for Lows Lake in the vicinity of the area that purpose indefinitely. Maintenance of know as “Parker Island”. This primitive the dams will require periodic use of corridor and the inholding are motor vehicles and heavy equipment, surrounded by the Five Ponds such as bulldozers and cranes, which Wilderness Area. Should the inholding means that the existing road to the be acquired (which should be given the Upper Dam must also be maintained for highest priority), or the access rights administrative purposes related to dam extinguished, the area will become part inspection and repair. of the Five Ponds Wilderness Area.

The road to the Upper Dam will be The fourth detached area is located gated at the eastern edge of the in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton Primitive Area. The owners of the large County and consists of a private right-of- Boy Scouts of America inholding on the way that follows a road passing between northern shore of Lows Lake have Bog Lake and Clear Pond across lands deeded motorized access rights on this added to the Five Ponds Wilderness road. While such private motor vehicle Area in 2006. The road provides access access continues, administrative access to two large inholdings within the Five by motor vehicles by the State will be Ponds Wilderness. One parcel is owned permitted as may be necessary for in fee by the State with a term-use appropriate administration of the State easement in place to expire in 2029 and lands in the area. If this inholding is the second is a privately-owned, acquired by the State (which should be working-forest tract that is encumbered given highest priority) extinguishing the by a conservation easement purchased private access rights, administrative by NY State. Should this second parcel access by motor vehicles will be limited become acquired by the State, the road to dam inspection and repair. should be terminated at the northeastern end of the primitive The second detached area is a 2.2 corridor and the Primitive Area, together mile road corridor located in the Town of with both inholdings, the area will Colton, St. Lawrence County. It become part of the Five Ponds provides deeded access to a large Wilderness Area. inholding owned by the Boy Scouts of America on the northern shore of Lows The fifth detached area is a corridor Lake. If this inholding is acquired by the 1.7 miles in length providing deeded State (which should be given highest access to a large private inholding priority), the road will be closed, and the surrounding Lake Marian located in the

Town of Colton, St. Lawrence County. The northern boundary of the area Should the inholding be acquired by the generally follows the Boots-to-Cornell State the area will become part of the Road east from its beginning to a point Five Ponds Wilderness Area. ¼ mile from the west end of Fifth Lake, continuing east from there generally ¼ The sixth detached area is a mile north of Fifth and Sixth Lakes to the corridor 0.7 miles in length providing Chain Lakes Road (North), then along it deeded access to a large private to Camp 6 Road. The eastern and inholding owned by the Sabattis Land southern boundary is the 1/10th- mile Company on the south shore of Lows wide corridor of Wild Forest and lands Lake. The Inholding is located in the pending classification, which follows the Town of Colton, St. Lawrence County former Camp 6 Road south to the Chain and is encumbered by a conservation Lakes Road (North) and along it before easement purchased by NY State. leaving the road and continuing west to Should the inholding be acquired by the the outlet of First Lake. The western State it will become part of the Five boundary of the area follows the outlet Ponds Wilderness Area. of First Lake and an unnamed stream and drainages north to Little Grassy This area does not yet have an Pond and the boundary of private lands; adopted Unit Management Plan. from there it continues northeast to the beginning of the Boots-to-Cornell Road.

Eastern Five Ponds Access area Significant wetlands surround many statistics: of the water bodies and are also found throughout the upland area. Both State Lands 1,647 Acres emergent marshes and deepwater Bodies of Water (1) 197 Acres marsh wetlands border the Essex Chain Non-conforming Uses: Lakes. These wetlands provide nesting Private Roads* 9.7 Miles habitat, food and cover for wildlife, Dams* 2 stabilize lake sediment and cycle large quantities of nutrients. Deepwater marsh wetlands provide valuable fish spawning ESSEX CHAIN LAKES and nursery habitat and are a food source for waterfowl and other wildlife. This area was classified in 2013 and Several emergent and deepwater is located in the Towns of Newcomb and wetland plants are found in the channels Minerva in Essex County and the Town which connect the lakes, including two of Indian Lake in Hamilton County. The state protected species. dominant feature of the landscape is the Essex Chain Lakes, a series of eight Rivers in the unit include portions of interconnected lakes. Together with the Cedar and Rock Rivers. The Rock nearby ponds, this tract has eleven River is designated Scenic and the lakes and ponds that are interconnected Cedar River is designated Wild from the or within portaging distance of each southwest edge of the Primitive Area to other to provide a six- to seven-mile the Essex County line, at which place its canoe route. designation changes to Scenic.

There are permanent restrictions on This area does not yet have an the land that preclude Wilderness adopted Unit Management Plan. classification. Prior to transferring these lands to the State, The Nature Conservancy granted easements to the Essex Chain Lakes area statistics: Towns of Minerva and Newcomb over portions of the Essex Chain Lakes Tract State Lands 6,955 acres that will allow for, as permitted by DEC, Bodies of Water (14) 620 acres float plane access to First and Pine Non-conforming Uses: Lakes. The easement also grants the Camps Towns access to, and use of materials Roads (private) indeterminate from, two gravel pits located on the mileage periphery of the property in order to Float Plane Access* provide gravel to maintain roads, trails 1 Lake (First Lake) and other infrastructure in this Area that may be open for motorized use. These activities would be nonconforming in FIRST BROTHER lands classified as Wilderness. Even across adjacent lands and waters, such This area is located in the Town of as the Essex Chain Lakes other than Horicon, Warren County. It is bounded First Lake, the activities of float plane on the west by Palisades Road and by use in such close proximity to the lakes the north, east, and south by private would significantly detract from the lands. The northwestern corner of the sense of remoteness expected in area abuts the southern boundary of the Wilderness. Pharoah Lake Wilderness.

Upon resolution of legal and A Unit Management Plan was regulatory issues concerning potential adopted for this area in 1992. recreational uses and resource impacts involving the crossing of the Cedar River with a snowmobile trail, the corridor of First Brother area statistics: Wild Forest and lands pending classification between the Essex Chain State Lands 99 Acres Lakes Primitive Area and the Pine Lake Non-conforming Uses: None Primitive Area will be classified Primitive and the two primitive areas will be merged into the Essex Chain Lakes FORKS MOUNTAIN Primitive Area. If these issues are not resolved so as to allow for such a trail This area is in the Town of Wells, crossing the Cedar River, the lands of Hamilton County. It includes the fifty-foot the corridor pending classification will be wide corridor of the snowmobile trail classified as Wild Forest and these two which cuts across the southern tip of the primitive areas will remain as separate Siamese Ponds Wilderness between the areas. Teachout Road on the East Branch of the Sacandaga and the State land The Department developed an boundary on the Sacandaga River. Interim Access Plan for this area in June Efforts should be made to relocate this 2013.

important trail in the county snowmobile HURRICANE MOUNTAIN trail system so that this area can become part of the Wilderness Area. This area consists of several corridors that cut through the Hurricane A Unit Management Plan was Mountain Wilderness in the Towns of adopted for this area in 2005. Elizabethtown, Jay, Keene and Lewis, Essex County. These include: two Town roads that cross Forest Preserve, the Forks Mountain area statistics: Jay Mountain Road and the O’Toole Road; two rights-of-way to inholdings on State Lands 15 Acres private land near the Hurricane Road in Non-conforming Uses: Elizabethtown; and a right-of-way for a Snowmobile Trail (public)* power line running through the western 2.5 Miles portion of the Wilderness Area. If any of these corridors are closed, abandoned GOOSENECK POND or acquired by the State, they should be consolidated with the Hurricane This area includes a 100 foot wide Mountain Wilderness. corridor between the State land boundary and the outlet of Gooseneck This area does not yet have an Pond in the Town of Ticonderoga, adopted Unit Management Plan. Essex County. Gooseneck Pond is the Town's water supply. It includes the Hurricane Mountain area statistics: access road, the control valve and the retaining dike at the north end of the State Lands 11 lake and is intended solely for the Acres purpose of the Town maintaining the Non-conforming Uses: dike and control valve. If the Town Roads (private)* 0.6 Miles ceases to use Gooseneck Pond as a Roads (public)* 2.4 Miles water supply, the road should be closed Power Lines* 3.9 Miles and the area added to the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. JOHNS BROOK A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 1992. This area is in the Town of Keene in Essex County. It consists of the private right-of-way across State lands to Gooseneck Pond area statistics: several private parcels in the High Peaks Wilderness including Johns State Lands 1 Acre Brook Lodge of the Adirondack Mountain Club and associated cabins. Non-conforming uses: Should these holdings and/or the Roads (private)* 0.2 Miles right-of-way ever be acquired by the State, this area should be made part of the High Peaks Wilderness, the lodge and cabins removed, the road closed and the ranger cabin phased out.

A Unit Management Plan was This area does not yet have an adopted for this area in 1999. adopted Unit Management Plan.

Johns Brook area statistics: Madawaska Flow – Quebec Brook area statistics: State Lands 156 Acres Non-conforming Uses: State Lands 5,774 Acres Roads (private)* 1.1 Miles Private Inholdings (1) 97 Acres Ranger Cabin* 1 Bodies of Water (6) 220 Acres Non-conforming Uses: MADAWASKA FLOW – QUEBEC Roads (private)* 3.0 Miles BROOK Madawaska Road 1 Mile Conversation Corners Road The area is located in the Towns of 2.9 Miles Waverly and Santa Clara, Franklin Snowmobile Trail (private)* County. It is bounded on west by the 2.3 Miles Blue Mountain Road and on the northwest by the Benz Pond Road. The remaining boundaries abut private NEHASANE lands. Much of the private land is under State-held conservation easement as This area lies in the Town of Long working forest. Important features Lake, Hamilton County and consists of include the 330-acre Madawaska the private right-of-way providing access wetland complex which provides habitat from the end of the Charley Pond Road for rare boreal bird and plant species. to the private land holdings at Nehasane The area also provides important Lake. This road is approximately 4.5 recreational opportunities for hunting, miles in length with the first 0.2 miles fishing, canoeing and kayaking, while open to public use of motor vehicles to offering visually dramatic openings such provide access to the Lake Lila as large bogs and meandering rivers trailhead. The road is gated at this with little human development. trailhead and access beyond is limited to private access to the inholdings. Several roads with deeded rights of Should, at some point in the future, the access exist within the unit. The private lands to the west and southwest Madawaska Road and Conversations be acquired by the State extinguishing Corners Road, west of the former deeded access rights, the Primitive Area railroad bed, are used as a public will be terminated at the Lake Lila snowmobile corridor. Future trailhead parking lot. management decisions about this corridor should consider alternatives for This Primitive Area also contains the achieving and maintaining a condition Nehasane Railroad Station, listed on the as close to wilderness as possible in this National Register of Historic Places, area. A 100-foot-wide, 3.2 mile long including one acre of land surrounding privately owned railroad bed running the building and the short (0.1 mile) north to south bisects the unit. It is used access road servicing the station. In the by a private hunting club. event that the station itself is relocated

or removed, the one acre surrounding it Non-conforming Uses and the access road will become Road (private)* 2.6 miles Wilderness. Powerlines* 2

This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan. PARTLOW LAKE

This area is located in the Town of Nehasane area statistics: Long Lake, Hamilton County. It is a 3.1 mile road which connects the Nehasane State Lands 55 Acres Primitive Area with the private lands Non-conforming Uses: encompassing Gull Lake, Deer Pond Roads (private)* 4.4 Miles and Partlow Lake to the west. The (public)* 0.2 Miles private land owners have a legal right of Railroad Station* 1 Acre way to use this road to access their land. This inholding is scheduled to pass to State ownership in the year 2029 at OK SLIP POND which time this Primitive Area will become part of the Five Ponds Located in the Town of Minerva, Wilderness Area. Essex County, this area includes a 2.6- mile long segment of road that crosses This area does not yet have an the Hudson Gorge Wilderness and adopted Unit Management Plan. leads to a private inholding surrounding OK Slip Pond. The area includes the road, the distribution power line that Partlow Lake area statistics: serves the inholding and an 11-acre parcel abutting State Route 28 that is State Lands 77 Acres occupied by a transmission power line. Non-conforming Uses: None This road is not open to the public. Should the private inholding ever be acquired by the State, the road should PINE LAKE be closed to all motorized use and the lands of this Primitive corridor and the This area is located in the Towns of inholding should be classified as Newcomb and Minerva in Essex Wilderness. County. It was classified in 2013 and includes lands from the TNC/Finch The Department developed an acquisition and a portion of the Blue Interim Access Plan for this area in June Mountain Wild Forest that was 2013. reclassified and added to this area. The northern boundary follows the 1/10th- This area does not yet have an mile wide corridor of Wild Forest and adopted Unit Management Plan. lands pending classification eastward towards and along the Cedar River to where a bridge once crossed the river. OK Slip Pond area statistics: The eastern boundary then follows a 1/10th-mile wide corridor of lands State Lands 30 acres pending classification and Wild Forest to

the northern boundary of the former Non-conforming Uses: Indian River Tract. The southern Floatplane access* 1 Lake boundary is the northern boundary of (Pine Lake) the former Indian River Tract and unnamed streams leading west and north to the Cedar River. The western POLARIS MOUNTAIN boundary follows the Cedar River to its confluence with the Rock River and then This area is located on the east side the Rock River to the 1/10th-mile wide of the Hudson River in the Town of Wild Forest corridor. Newcomb, Essex County, including the waters of the river directly adjacent to Prominent features of this area this land. When the State acquired this include Pine Lake and Mud, Clear and land, it took title subject to a reserved Corner Ponds. The easements held by leasehold until October 1, 2019. the Towns of Minerva and Newcomb for Although the land is owned by the State, float plane landings on Pine Lake the lessees have exclusive motorized prevent this area from being designated use of the existing roads in this area and as Wilderness or Canoe, but it offers a one-acre parcels surrounding each rare and remote recreational opportunity camp building until October 1, 2018. and its natural resources are sensitive, One year following termination of the which requires wilderness management. camp leases, no later than October 1, 2019, this area will automatically and Upon resolution of legal and without further Agency action be regulatory issues concerning potential reclassified as Wilderness and added to recreational uses and resource impacts the Hudson Gorge Wilderness. involving the crossing of the Cedar River with a snowmobile trail, the potential The Department developed an Wild Forest corridor and the unclassified Interim Access Plan for this area in June lands between the Pine Lake Primitive 2013. Area and the Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area will be classified This area does not yet have an Primitive. If this Wild Forest Corridor is adopted Unit Management Plan. not established, the two Primitive Areas will be merged as the Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area. Polaris Mountain area statistics:

The Department developed an State Lands 953 acres Interim Access Plan for this area in June Bodies of Water (1) 18 acres 2013. Non-conforming Uses Camps This area does not yet have an Roads (private) indeterminate adopted Unit Management Plan. mileage

Pine Lake area statistics:

State Lands 2,798 acres Bodies of Water (4) 147 acres

RAQUETTE-JORDAN BOREAL Raquette-Jordan Boreal area statistics: The area is located in the Towns of Colton, Hopkinton and Piercefield, St. State Lands 12,034 Acres Lawrence County. It includes three Bodies of Water (1) 28 Acres blocks of State lands, formerly classified Non-conforming Uses: as Wild Forest, bounded on the west by Roads (private)* 3.1 Miles the Lassiter Main Haul Road and the Camps 4 Raquette River. Also part of this Primitive Area is the State owned lands comprising the Raquette River Corridor RAVEN LAKE ROAD from the Colton-Piercefield Town line to the dam at Piercefield Flow. The This area is in the Town of Webb, corridor is generally 500 feet wide from Herkimer County and consists of a 1.84 the high water line on both banks of the mile road to a 8 acre inholding on Raven river. Lake. This road serves as a part of the boundary between the Pepperbox and The Jordan River, classified as Five Ponds Wilderness units. Should the Scenic under the NYS Wild, Scenic and inholding be acquired, the road should Recreational Rivers Act, flows through be closed and this property added to the significant expanses of this unique Pepperbox Wilderness. area’s boreal forest and, as such, has the character of a northern Canadian This area does not yet have an river. Certain ecological resources found adopted Unit Management Plan. here are considered to be critical on both a regional and global scale. These include one of the largest representative Raven Lake Road area statistics: samples of the lowland boreal forest under protection in the Adirondack Park, State Lands 25 Acres old-growth forest, and rare animal Non-conforming uses: species such as the spruce grouse and Roads (private)* 2.33 Miles extra-striped snaketail dragonfly. Hunting, fishing, canoeing and kayaking in a lowland boreal forest setting are SACANDAGA some of the outstanding primitive recreational opportunities afforded here. This area is in the Town of Wells in Hamilton County, immediately north of There are four private lease camps the West Branch of the Sacandaga on fee lands on the north side of the River through the Silver Lake Raquette River in the Town of Wilderness. It consists of the West River Piercefield. These private rights may be Road where it crosses Forest Preserve retained by the landowner until 2025. lands from Blackbridge westerly to Whitehouse. Should private lands be A Unit Management Plan was acquired by the State, segments of the adopted for this area in 2006. road that are no longer necessary to access private lands should be incorporated into the Silver Lake Wilderness.

A Unit Management Plan was This area was created as the result adopted for this area in 2006. of an addition to the High Peaks Wilderness Area in 2009. A 6,806 acre parcel was acquired by New York State Sacandaga area statistics: from the Open Space Conservancy, Inc. (OSC). The boundaries of this parcel State Lands 7 Acres abut pre-existing Forest Preserve and Non-conforming Uses: most of this acreage was added to the Roads (public)* 1.95 Miles High Peaks Wilderness. A 1.8 acre parcel of this land was omitted from the Wilderness designation due to retained SCHUYLER ISLAND rights to use the dam at Henderson Lake for producing hydroelectric power This Lake Champlain island lies in and to transmit that power. Power is to the Town of Chesterfield in Essex be transmitted underground, if possible, County and is designated Primitive to from the dam along an existing road to insure protection of its relatively fragile the Upper Works Parking lot. The power resources. While a small island and generated is to be used only for the lacking the unique flora and fauna of Masten House parcel or the Adirondac Valcour Island (which is also classified “core area”. Should these rights be Primitive), Schuyler Island is more extinguished, this parcel should be remote than Valcour Island and has added to the High Peaks Wilderness. lower levels of public use. The island requires careful protection consistent This area does not yet have an with Primitive Area guidelines. adopted Unit Management Plan.

This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan. Tahawus area statistics:

State Lands 2 Acres Schuyler Island area statistics: Non-conforming uses:

State Lands 167 Acres Reserved private right at Trails 0.3 Miles Henderson Dam for use of this Non-conforming Uses: None conforming structure for hydroelectric power generation.

TAHAWUS Road to Henderson Lake Dam (private)* 0.1 Mile This area is in the Town of Newcomb, Essex County. It is bounded to the south by the Hudson River from TAMARACK CREEK the Dam at Henderson Lake east to the bridge on the Upper Works Road This area is located in the Town of extension; on the east along this road; Fine, St. Lawrence County. It is on the north by the road that provides bounded on the north by Aldrich Pond access to the dam; and on the west by Wild Forest and a private road that the dam itself. extends to a private inholding on the

western edge of the area; by private VALCOUR ISLAND lands to the south; and on the west and east edges by the Five Ponds This Lake Champlain island lies in Wilderness. Should the private parcel to the Towns of Peru and Plattsburgh in the south become State land, that parcel Clinton County. The island is designated and the Tamarack Creek Primitive Area Primitive to insure its protection in a should be added to the Five Ponds near natural state. The unique Wilderness. vegetation and wildlife of the island, in particular, are in need of such This area does not yet have an protection. The wildness of the rocky adopted Unit Management Plan. east shore, complete with unusual wind and water rock sculptures, also deserves preservation. This island is not Tamarack Creek area statistics: suitable for reclassification to Wilderness because of the area's State Lands 46 Acres proximity to a heavily developed Non-Conforming Uses: None shoreline as well as the presence of such essentially permanent, historic structures as the lighthouse. The Clinton TIED LAKE County Historical Association retains the right to maintain the lighthouse. This area lies in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County and consists of the State acquisitions of the former private right-of-way, following a rough Seaton property at the southern end of road, providing access to an inholding of the island and the lighthouse on the private land deep in the Pepperbox western shoreline increases the area's Wilderness Area. To avoid problems suitability for water-oriented recreational with motorized trespass on Wilderness uses. Any interpretive program for the lands this Primitive Area has been gated island should stress both its historical immediately south of Tied Lake limiting significance and its special natural access to private use beyond the lake. features. Should the private inholding be acquired by the State, it should incorporated into This area does not yet have an the Pepperbox Wilderness Area and the adopted Unit Management Plan. status of the road reviewed to determine if the road should remain open to public use as described above. Valcour Island area statistics:

A Unit Management Plan was State Lands 957 Acres adopted for this area in 2010. Federal Inholding (1) 0.1 Acres Trails 12.6 Miles Non-conforming Uses: Tied Lake area statistics: Former Seaton House and Associated Outbuilding* 2 State Lands 8 Acres Storage Shed* 1 Non-conforming Uses: Historic Lighthouse* 1 Roads (private)* 2.5 Miles

WAKELY MOUNTAIN Wilderness and permanently blocked at the termination of the Primitive Area. This area is in the Town of Lake The ultimate goal for the Primitive Area Pleasant, Hamilton County. It consists of is to become part of the Five Ponds the State land south of the Wakely Wilderness Area should an alternate Mountain Trail. Once the fire tower on water supply for Wanakena be Wakely Mountain is no longer needed, developed. this area should be made part of the Blue Ridge Wilderness. The majority of A Unit Management Plan was the telephone line and poles associated adopted for this area in 1994. with this area are on the ground or no longer exist. Wanakena area statistics: A unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2006. State Lands 7 Acres Non-conforming Uses: Roads (private)* 1.2 Miles Wakely Mountain area statistics:

State Lands 225 Acres WEST CANADA MOUNTAIN Foot Trails 0.4 Miles Non-conforming Uses: This area is in the Town of Fire Towers* 1 Morehouse, Hamilton County. It is Observer Cabins* 1 surrounded by private lands on the north, east and west. The southern boundary is the legal access road to the WANAKENA Miller Camp.

This area is located in the Town of In 1979 a boundary adjustment was Fine, St. Lawrence County. The made expanding this area to include a Wanakena Water Company, which previously unrecognized, private supplies water to the Hamlet of right-of- way adjacent to the West Wanakena, has reserved rights along Canada Lake Wilderness Area. the former administrative road to lay and maintain water lines to a spring which At some future time, if the serves as the water supply for the right-of-way reverts to the State, this hamlet of Wanakena. Motor vehicles area should be added to the West and motorized equipment are used by Canada Lake Wilderness. the hamlet to maintain its water supply. This gravel road is classified as This area does not yet have an Primitive to permit access by Town adopted Unit Management Plan. officials for this purpose only. Public motorized use of this corridor should be prohibited and other official use West Canada Mountain area permitted only in conformity with statistics: Wilderness guidelines. The truck trail has been gated at the commencement State Lands 3,260 Acres of the Primitive Area as it enters the Water Bodies (3) 14 Acres

Non-conforming Uses: recognized in the consideration of Roads (private)* 2.8 Miles alternatives for locating this snowmobile trail connection.

WILMURT CLUB ROAD This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan. This area is in the Town of Morehouse in Hamilton County. It consists of the roadbed and right-of-way Winding Falls area statistics: passing through State lands designated as a part of the West Canada Lake State Lands: 26 Acres Wilderness to private tracts totally Non-conforming Uses : None surrounded by the designated Wilderness. Should these inholdings ever be acquired by the State, the road PRIMITIVE AREA STATISTICAL should be closed and this area made a PARK WIDE TOTALS: part of the West Canada Lake Wilderness. State Lands 56, 121 Acres Private Inholdings (3) 107 Acres This area does not yet have an Bodies of Water (59) 1,596 Acres adopted Unit Management Plan. Foot Trails 19.8 Miles Non-conforming Uses: Roads (public)* 7.85 Miles Wilmurt Club Road area statistics: Roads (private)* 63.43 Miles Roads (State-owned with private State Lands 3 Acres access) Non-conforming uses: Undetermined Miles Roads (private)* 0.9 Miles Snowmobile Trails* Public 6 Miles Private 2.3 Miles WINDING FALLS Fire Towers* 1 Observer Cabins* 1 The area is located entirely within Ranger Cabins* 1 the Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence Lighthouse* 1 County. It consists of a fifty-foot-wide, House and Outbuildings* 2.6 mile corridor along an existing, old Railroad* 2 Miles woods road through the Round Lake Railroad Station 1 Wilderness Area. Located between the Camps 4 Hamilton County Line and the Bog Dams 2 River, it provides a potential route for Steel Bridge 1 snowmobile travel between the Hamlet Power Lines* 2 of Long Lake and the Remsen-Lake Float Plane Access* 2 Lakes Placid Travel Corridor. This corridor (First and Pine Lakes) crosses the Bog River and Round Lake Outlet, both of which are classified as *Permanent non-conforming uses or “Scenic” under the NYS Wild, Scenic non-conforming uses whose removal and Recreational Rivers Act. The cannot be scheduled by a fixed remote quality of this area should be deadline.

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CANOE AREA extensive one occurring in the summer of 1903. Therefore, except for the wetlands, most of the forest cover was SAINT REGIS either burned off or very heavily damaged. This has resulted in stands of This area is in the Towns of Santa hardwoods which have regenerated Clara, Brighton, and Harrietstown in after aspen, pin cherry, and white birch Franklin County. It is bounded on the started rebuilding the humus layer. north by private property and Keese There are low-lying stands of hemlock Mills Road; on the east by the Santa and spruce, now mature or nearly Clara Town line, old logging roads and mature, which escaped the burn Upper St. Regis Lake; on the south by because of their location. There are also the Remsen to Lake Placid Travel some spots near the ponds where white Corridor, and on the west by the Santa pine escaped the fires, and these large Clara Town line. shoreline trees add to the scenic attractions. Its selection as an area for special and restricted management is based on All of the interior ponds have brook the numerous, closely-spaced ponds trout, and stocking and pond which lend themselves to use as canoe reclamation efforts by the Department of or guideboat waterways. Similar to the Environmental Conservation have been ponds that are clustered south of the carried on regularly for many years. railroad tracks and commonly referred to as the "Fish Creek" area, this region has The chief use now made of the area long been noted for its qualities of clear, is for fishing, camping, canoeing and spring-fed ponds, short carries and cross-country skiing. Snowmobile trails tranquil beauty. The area is now closed have been phased out under the Canoe to motor vehicles, motorboats and Area guidelines, as well as the use of aircraft in conformity with the master motorboats by the public on all waters plan guidelines, thereby restoring the within the area. tranquil, wild atmosphere of these waters. The peripheral ponds are quite The administrative road will be easily accessible via one or two short retained for administrative use relating carries making a unique wilderness to fish and water resource canoeing experience available to many enhancement. Approximately 15.4 miles people. of snowmobile trails in this area have been closed, twenty-one tent platforms The terrain is dominated by the removed and motorboat use by the numerous ponds and is relatively low in public prohibited. elevation. St. Regis Mountain in the north and Long Pond Mountain in the The ¼ mile spur road leading from western part of the area are the only two the Floodwood Road to the south shore high spots. The character of the terrain of Long Pond, has been blocked near also makes the area ideally suited for the Floodwood Road and a small cross country skiing in winter months. parking area has been provided at that point. Much of the area was burned over in forest fires, probably the most

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Public access to the area is restricted from the north and west by private posted land but is readily available on the south and east.

In 2010, a half-acre of land associated with the St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower was reclassified to Historic.

A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2006.

Saint Regis area statistics:

State Lands 17,615 Acres Bodies of Water (52) 1,153 Acres Elevation (minimum) 1,560 Feet (maximum) 2,873 Feet Foot Trails 18.4 Miles Horse Trails 4.9 Miles Bike Trails 5 Miles Lean-tos 3 Administrative roads 5.9 Miles Non-conforming Uses: None

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WILD FOREST AREAS receives considerable amounts of lake effect snow from Lake Ontario, making it Because wild forest areas include an optimum location for winter outdoor many various-sized scattered parcels, activities. The Little River flows through as indicated on the map, only the largest this unit and the Middle Branch of the tracts are described to illustrate the Oswegatchie River (a designated Wild largely untapped resources available in and Scenic River) flows adjacent to this this category. No statistics are unit. presented, and the narrative deals with general areas rather than specific A Unit Management Plan was parcels. Future revisions of the master adopted for this area in 1995. plan should provide more detailed information about state lands in the wild forest category. BLACK RIVER

This area includes Wild Forest lands ALDRICH POND within an area primarily in Herkimer County, south of Route 28, north of This area is bounded on the north Route 8, east of the Adirondack Park by the Oswegatchie River, Star Lake, boundary and west of the Adirondack private lands, the Oswegatchie River League Club holdings. The Black River and the Adirondack Park boundary; on flows in a generally east-west direction the east by Youngs Road (County Route through the middle of the area. 60) and the Five Ponds Wilderness; on the south by the Middle Branch of the A considerable number of interior, Oswegatchie River; and on west by the privately-owned parcels exist to which Lewis/St. Lawrence County Line and jeep trails extend from the public Adirondack Park Blue Line. It is located highways. Relatively low hills in the Towns of Fine and Pitcairn in St. interspersed with small wetland areas Lawrence County, Diana, in Lewis covered with second growth hardwoods County and Webb in Herkimer County. on the more fertile soils and spruce-fir combinations along water courses are Communities, such as Aldrich and typical in this southwestern corner of the Kalurah, once thrived in the area and Park. Mohawk Valley population centers are now reminders of the region’s such as Rome, Utica and Herkimer are industrial past. Scotch pine plantations, within short driving distance, and big second growth forests, telephone poles game hunting pressure in the fall and old roads found along trails are season is heavy. The streams attract additional signs of the area’s human many trout anglers to the area. South history. Visitor use is most evident Lake is a favorite fishing, hunting and during the hunting and fishing seasons. boating spot. The State lands within the unit afford local residents close proximity to A Unit Management Plan was opportunities for many types of adopted for this area in 1996. recreation, solitude and wild open space. The low hills and moderate grades make use of trails enjoyable for all ages. During winter months, the area

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BLUE MOUNTAIN to the area. Wild Forest access along the Boots-to-Cornell Road, and then to This area is located in Hamilton and the south shore of Fifth Lake was western Essex counties. It is generally established for the sole purpose of bounded by Route 30 on the west and providing Universal Access. south, the Indian River and Hudson River on the east and Route 28N on the Further south, additional land from north. the Indian River Tract west of the Chain Lakes Road (South) was added to this The terrain varies from gentle unit, including the road itself from the around the easily accessible and edge of the unit northwest to the old popular Rock Lake to extremely steep boundary of the Essex Chain Lakes and rugged in the remote Fishing Brook Tract. Also in 2013, a 1/10-mile wide Range. corridor following and including the former Camp 6 Road from its beginning The 3,759-foot Blue Mountain at Drakes Mill Road in the north, south dominates the landscape for some to its end at the Cedar River, was distance around, offering wide ranging classified Wild Forest and added to the views in all directions for those willing to area. This corridor separates the Essex make a short but steep hike to the Chain Lakes Primitive Area from the summit from the picturesque hamlet of northernmost reaches of the Hudson Blue Mountain Lake. Tirrell Pond is Gorge Wilderness. nestled to the northeast of Blue Mountain and, due to relatively easy In the event the Pine Lake Primitive access, affords an excellent opportunity Area is merged into the Essex Chain for day use or primitive camping. Lakes Primitive Area, the corridor of Opportunities for more remote and Wild Forest in this area south of First rugged explorations through some truly Lake and north of Pine Lake will be wild back country are afforded by long, reclassified to Primitive from the lower segments of the Rock and Cedar boundary of the former Essex Chain Rivers – designated Scenic and Wild, Lakes Tract to the outlet of First Lake. respectively – just upriver of where they reach the Essex Chain Lakes and Pine Consistent with Master Plan Lake Primitive Areas. guidelines for Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers, the waters of the In 2013, with the addition of the Hudson River in this area shall be free Nature Conservancy/Finch land from motorized activity. acquisition, some existing portions of the northeastern section of this unit near A Unit Management Plan was the Essex Chain Lakes were reclassified adopted for this area in 1995. to Primitive and added to the Essex Chain Lakes and Pine Lake Primitive Areas. At the same time, a major block CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS of the newly acquired lands north of the lakes, extending from the Cornell Road This area consists of four small in the west, eastward to the Hudson islands: Garden, Cole, Sheephead and River and northward toward Newcomb, Signal Bouy. They range in size from was classified as Wild Forest and added 0.08 to 0.82 acres and are located in the

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Towns of Westport, Crown Point and An additional 1,629 acres of land Ticonderoga in Essex County. located in the Town of Ellenburg was added to this unit in 2010. The This area does not yet have an topography at this property is generally adopted Unit Management Plan. flat to rolling and provides the best available access to the summit and cliffs of Ellenburg Mountain. The parcel is CHAZY HIGHLANDS criss-crossed with a number of small streams which feed Graves Brook, This area is located in portions of Loomis Brook and eventually, Lake eight Towns in Franklin and Clinton Champlain. Graves and Loomis are Counties. The unit is roughly bounded known native brook trout waters. The on the north and east by the Adirondack area is well known locally as habitat for Park Blue Line boundary; on the south big game species. by Route 3; and on the west by Route 26. The Chazy Highlands also contains numerous discontinuous and isolated The largest contiguous parcel within parcels with little development that this area, the 17,190 acre Lyon afford many opportunities for discovery Mountain Tract, was acquired by the and solitude. Local residents and State of New York in 2008. Located in visitors who venture off nearby roads Clinton County in the Towns of Saranac onto these lands will find a variety of and Dannemora, the tract is entirely habitats and natural features, including bounded by private lands and public open wetlands and rolling hills with rock roads. Four adjoining privately owned outcroppings that afford scenic views of parcels are subject to working forest surrounding lands and fishing access conservation easements held by New along the North Branch of the Saranac York State. A privately owned rail bed of River. They may also encounter bobcat, the former D&H Railroad runs through bald eagle, beaver, porcupine, deer, and the eastern portion of the tract.The tract other wildlife. While some of this area’s contains a number of existing structures State lands fall within the Towns of and improvements including the Lyon Dannemora and Altona and are not Mt. Fire Tower, the lifts from the former considered Forest Preserve, they are Lowenburg Ski Area and remnants of classified as Wild Forest and managed commercial forestry operations. as such except for silviculture and wildlife management practices. The Lyon Mountain Tract contains a 1,860 acre area above 2,800 feet in This area does not yet have an elevation that is designated a Bird adopted Unit Management Plan. Conservation Area and should be managed to protect the high elevation habitat these species need for nesting. CRANBERRY LAKE The southwestern section of this tract contains a large area that is rugged and This area is located in southern St. offers a sense of remoteness and Lawrence County in the Towns of solitude. Clifton, Colton and Fine. It includes Wild Forest lands within an area bounded on the south by the SUNY ESF Biological

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Station, Five Ponds Wilderness and the county line and a section of the county south shore of Cranberry Lake; on the line; the north by the Adirondack Park east by the Colton Town line and the Blue Line; and the east by State Route Conifer Emporium easement lands; on 3, County Highway 26; and the south by the north by State Highway 3 and the the Tupper Lake Town line, the St. Oswegatchie River; and on the west by Regis Canoe Area, State Highway 86 private lands and the Inlet Road. It and County Highway 55. provides a considerable amount of snowmobiling opportunity in the winter Located between the open flat in a setting offering the snowmobiler a landscape of the St. Lawrence Valley to sense of remoteness. the north and the high elevations of the High Peaks region to the south, this Cranberry Lake Public area consists of low, rounded Campground, on the northeastern mountains, hills and ridges which readily shoreline of Cranberry Lake, provides a provide evidence of the past widespread starting point for the greatest glaciation of the region. Elevation concentration of users, permiting extremes range from a high of 3,355 exploration by boat of the interesting feet at the summit of Loon Lake flows of Brandy Brook, East Inlet and Mountain to a low elevation of 1,299 feet Sucker Brook. Trails, including one to on Long Pond (Town of Waverly). The the summit of Bear Mountain, connect summit of Debar Mountain once these and several interior brook trout permitted Verplanck Colvin to ponds for fishing, camping and hunting triangulate Lake Champlain and the St. on a variety of Wild Forest land. Lawrence River.

The boreal forest of Peavine Swamp Several miles of the river corridors is visible along Route 3 traversing the in this unit have been classified under western tract, where one can glimpse the New York State Wild, Scenic and interesting bog and scattered great Recreational Rivers System. Hays and pines. A short hike into this spruce-fir Hatch Brooks and the Osgood River forest will often reward the birdwatcher provide trout fishing opportunities and with sightings of species normally found the slopes of Sable, East and DeBar only much further north in Canada. A mountains offer a challenge to the big multi-loop cross country ski trail game hunter. provides a scenic winter opportunity The East and Main Branches of the A Unit Management Plan was St. Regis River traverse this area. adopted for this area in 1984. These rivers provide an opportunity for paddling in a generally remote setting. The rivers are also lined with extensive DEBAR MOUNTAIN wetland systems that provide habitat to a large variety of boreal species. The Wild Forest lands within this unit generally fall within the Towns of This area does not yet have an Waverly, Santa Clara, Duane, Brighton adopted Unit Management Plan. and Franklin in Franklin County. It is bounded on the west by private lands west of the St. Lawrence-Franklin

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FERRIS LAKE should remain in its current condition and measures taken to insure roadside This area is located in the camping does not detract from the southwestern corner of the Park. It character of the area or adversely affect consists of those Wild Forest lands the resources of the road corridor. south of Route 8 and the West Canada Lake Wilderness Area and west of This area does not yet have an Route 10. Both Route 8 and Route 10, adopted Unit Management Plan. as well as the Powley-Piseco Road, provide easy access to the area. FULTON CHAIN The attractiveness of this area lies in its numerous ponds, lakes and This unit is located in Herkimer streams which attract anglers County, Town of Webb, Township 8, throughout the season. The area is John Brown's Tract, Macombs popular with big game hunters and Purchase. It is divided into five main many of the ponds and lakes are sections separated by three strips of connected by an existing snowmobile privately-owned lands, one of which trail system following old logging roads. includes lands near the Fulton Chain of While there are no trails, these old roads Lakes. The unit is roughly bordered on also make easy walking routes and their the north by the Razorback Pond Outlet potential use in a designated hiking (and and the Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area; cross country skiing) trail network for the on the east by the Big Moose Road, area should be considered in the unit Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area, private management plan, as should the lands near Big Moose Lake and the potential for camping on the larger Village of Eagle Bay; on the south by ponds and lakes. Another feature of the the Third Lake Creek, County Route 118 area is its mountain summits or rock and private lands adjacent to the Fulton outcroppings, in particular the ledges on Chain of Lakes; and on the west by Good Luck Mountain and Echo cliffs on private lands and the west boundary of Panther Mountain, which provide vistas Township 8. not readily found in the southern Adirondacks. The unit also includes DeCamp or Treasure Island, which comprises two One of the last old Adirondack dirt small islands of Forest Preserve public roads, extending about 17 miles between the First and Second Lakes of from Route 10 near Piseco Lake to the Fulton Chain. A permanent Stratford, cuts through the approximate easement across private lands connects center of this large block of Forest this Wild Forest to Razorback Pond and Preserve. It provides the public with the Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area. motor vehicle access through practically unbroken forest, quite comparable to This unit has high recreational some of the Wilderness areas. Many potential due to its location within short motorists take advantage of the driving distances from the populated attractive drive over this old winding dirt Mohawk Valley. Uses include hiking, road, the like of which has become a camping, canoeing, hunting, fishing, rare and vanishing facility in the eastern horse-back riding, cross country skiing, United States. If possible, this road snowmobiling, and sight-seeing, the

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latter drawing many visitors to the Wilderness Areas; on the south by the Rondaxe Mt. Fire Tower during the fall Pharaoh Lake Wilderness and NY State foliage season. Moss Lake, a former Route 74; on the east by Lake girls summer camp, is also a popular Champlain; and on the north by NY and scenic location for hiking, skiing, State Route 9N. Several isolated Forest and camping. Preserve parcels are located in the Towns of Keene and Jay. A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 1990. Owl Pate and Hail Mountain provide great distant views, and exceptionally fine overlooks may be had from the GRASSE RIVER many rocky bluffs and ledges dominating the area. Many ponds offer This unit is located in St. Lawrence scenic fishing opportunities and have County in the Towns of Clare, Clifton, defined but unmarked trails leading from Colton, Fine and Parishville. It includes highways. A great variety of flora and the Wild Forest lands bounded on the fauna reflect an overlap of forest types west and north by the Adirondack Park where beech, birch, maple and hemlock Blue Line; the south by the Oswegatchie on the cool, northern slopes give way to River and Route 3; and on the east by oak, ash, basswood and pine on the Route 56. southerly exposures.

The four Branches of the Grasse Tracey Road, North Hudson-Moriah River flow through this unit, including the Road and Route 9 provides abundant Main (a designated Study River), Middle access for hunters, anglers and other (a designated Scenic River), South (a recreationists. The Sharp Bridge public Scenic River and Recreational River) campground offers trail access to East and North (a Scenic River). The unit Mill Brook and the interior. While most contains numerous scenic rapids and trails in the area remain unmarked, the waterfalls that are easily accessible. abundant access to this area could This concentration of scenic and provide recreational opportunities similar recreational water resources on Forest to those found in the Pharaoh Lake Preserve provide a unique outdoor Wilderness area to the south for those recreational opportunity for visitors and who do not require the solitude of the residents of St. Lawrence County. Wilderness setting. This would relieve some of the use pressure on the A Unit Management Plan was Pharaoh Lake area. adopted for this area in 1990. A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 1988. HAMMOND POND

This area is located in the Towns of HORSESHOE LAKE Crown Point, Elizabethtown, Horicon, Keene, Moriah, North Hudson, Schroon, This area is located in the Towns of Ticonderoga, and Westport in Essex Colton, Piercefield and Tupper Lake in County. It is generally bounded on the St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. west by Giant, Dix and Hoffman Notch The unit includes Wild Forest land

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bounded on the north by the Remson – INDEPENDENCE RIVER Lake Placid Railroad line; the east by Routes 3 and 30; the south by the This western Adirondack area lies in Hamilton County Line and the Round the Towns of Greig, Lyonsdale, Watson Lake Wilderness; and the west by the and Webb in Lewis and Herkimer Eastern Five Ponds Access Primitive counties. It includes Wild Forest lands Area, the South Branch of the Grass within an area bounded on the south by River and the Colton Town Line. Route 28, the Ha-De-Ron-Da Wilderness and the Moose River; the Important biological resources north by the Five Ponds Wilderness, the abound in this unit. Several large lakes Pepperbox Wilderness and the Number featuring both shallow and deep waters Four Road; on the east by the western provide habitat for the Common Loon. boundary of Township 8 in John Rich marsh communities include rare Brown’s Tract; and the west by the plant species and provide prime Adirondack Park Blue Line. breeding grounds for a variety of birds. Bald Eagles can be spotted in the area A balance of private lands interlaced throughout the year. Significant with forest preserve tracts characterize headwater bogs drain into waters of this area of gentle hills and flat lands. Tupper and Horseshoe Lakes, naturally coloring the waters a dark, tannin- The sand plain depressions north stained color. from Brantingham Lake to the Independence River offer many unique This unit affords visitors a variety of bird and plant life associations. outdoor recreation opportunities. The most popular destinations include the Numerous bogs and beaver Mt. Arab Firetower and Horseshoe meadows along the drainage of Beaver Lake. On the 2,500-foot summit of Mt. Meadow Creek and Second, Third and Arab are the restored firetower and the Fourth Creeks provide contrasting former observer’s cabin. The view from wildlife habitats. An extensive network of the top offers endless stretches of trails, both foot and snowmobile, link forests, ponds and lakes and mountain Pine Lake, Big Otter Lake and the ridges. Easy access to Horseshoe Lake Independence River with the Stillwater affords an excellent opportunity for Road in the north. fishing and boating. Camping in this area provides an excellent base camp This area has an extensive array of opportunity for wilderness canoe trips horse trails that comprise much of the into surrounding Wilderness areas. Otter Creek Trails network. This network Tupper Lake, nearly 8.5 miles long and includes a developed overnight with significant extent of Forest assembly area in adjacent State Forest, Preserve shoreline, also has much to immediately outside of the Blue Line. offer visitors. A Unit Management Plan was A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 1986. adopted for this area in 2002.

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JESSUP RIVER LAKE GEORGE

This area is located in Hamilton This area is located in Essex, County in the Towns of Arietta, Wells, Warren and Washington Counties. It is Indian Lake and Lake Pleasant. It is bounded on the east and south by the bounded on the north NYS Rt. 30 and Park Blue Line; on the north by Pharaoh the Blue Ridge Wilderness; the west by Lake Wilderness and NY State Route the West Canada Lake Wilderness; the 74; and on the west by NYS Route 9 south by the Silver Lake Wilderness; and the Hudson River. Most of the Lake and the east by Siamese Ponds George Wild Forest area lies within the Wilderness. Lake George Park. The Lake George Park, lying wholly within the Adirondack Access is from Route 30 and the Park, was established by State law in (Perkins Clearing) Jessup River Road, 1961. The boundaries of the Lake which traverse the area, and from the George Park are more or less Moffitt Beach and Lewey Lake contiguous with the watershed of the Campgrounds. Lake, an arrangement which is designed to facilitate coordinated management of Long popular with hunters, trappers the use of land as it impacts water and anglers, the interspersion of private quality. woodlands with State ownership has made this area a top producer of fish Mountains rising steeply on either and wildlife. The Jessup and Miami side of the lake provide many views of Rivers have long been known as good rugged beauty. The area west of the trout streams. lake is accessible by Routes 9N and 74 while the Forest Preserve on the east Numerous logging roads and trails side is accessible from the Pilot Knob are open to foot travel. The Pillsbury and Hulett's Landing roads. The Tongue and Snowy Mountain summits and Mountain and Island Pond sections form associated fire towers, from which vast the base for a varied wildlife resource. views of lakes and forest may be The moderating influence of the lake on obtained, offer particularly enjoyable both sides of this peninsula has hikes. produced an oak-pine cover type which is more characteristic of the southern In 1979, the Indian Lake Islands part of the State than of the were reclassified to Intensive Use, Adirondacks. Many plant and wildlife leaving campsites in the Siamese Ponds species found on Tongue Mountain are Wilderness Area and campsites in the rarely found elsewhere in the Park. Jessup River Wild Forest. These campsites are administered through the The Black Mountain tract on the Department’s campground recreation opposite shore is more precipitous. program during the operating season. Spruce and hemlock are common. Recreational enjoyment of the area is A Unit Management Plan was enhanced by this diversity of plant and adopted for this area in 2006. animal associations.

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Trails connect the lake at Shelving camping sites in compliance with this Rock and Black Mountain Point with Master Plan. The new Intensive Use interior ponds and the summits of Black camping area, subject to special Mountain and Sleeping Beauty. The management guidelines, is intended to latter provides some exceptional views. maintain this somewhat higher density of camping sites adjacent to and A Unit Management Plan was screened from the area’s gravel road adopted for the Black Mountain section system. of this area in 1986. Also in 2010, approximately 14,667 acres south of the South Branch of the MOOSE RIVER PLAINS Moose River and south of the Moose River Plains Camping Intensive Use This area is located in Hamilton and Area were reclassified to Wilderness. Herkimer counties in the Towns of Most of these lands formed the new Arietta, Inlet, Lake Pleasant, Long Lake, 12,269-acre Little Moose Wilderness, Morehouse, Ohio and Webb. This area and the remaining acres were added to is bounded on the north by Pigeon Lake the West Canada Lake Wilderness. Wilderness; on the east by Blue Ridge This reclassification excluded a twenty- Wilderness; on the south by West foot-wide corridor along the routes of the Canada Lake Wilderness and Little former DEC administrative road (Otter Moose Mountain Wilderness; and on the Brook Truck Trail) and former Wilson west by the boundary of Township Two Ridge Road, retained as Wild Forest and Three. The scenic "plains" of the expressly to allow for non-motorized, Moose and Red Rivers are well-known recreational uses such as a mountain- areas of interest to the public. These biking, hiking and cross-country skiing. zones of herb and grass vegetation The exclusion of motor-vehicle use and contrast vividly with the overall forested emphasis on development of this long nature of the Park. Other scenic points route for mountain biking creates of interest include the Moose River potential for a premier mountain-biking Cliffs, Mitchell Ponds, Lost Ponds, opportunity in the Adirondack Park. No Icehouse and Helldiver Ponds. motor-vehicle use should be reestablished along this remote route The area is unique also for how, in due to impacts to the significant, the 1960’s, the Department of surrounding Wilderness. As it is now, Environmental Conservation improved the area’s camping, hunting, fishing, the extensive road system and snowmobiling and mountain biking developed numerous individual camping opportunities make the Moose River sites along the road. This has provided Plains one of the truly four-season an outdoor recreational opportunity recreational areas of the Park. intermediate between that of a developed campground and typical Great Camp Uncas, a National primitive camping in Wild Forest and Historic Landmark, stands on the east Wilderness. In 2010, over 2,900 acres in shore of Mohegan Lake near the a corridor along certain roads were northeastern boundary of this Wild reclassified to create the Moose River Forest. An area around Mohegan Lake Plains Camping Intensive Use Area and is included in the Historic Great Camps to facilitate a concentration of roadside Special Management Area. The area

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was designated to recognize the historic SARANAC LAKES connection between the Great Camps and the Forest Preserve. This area is located in the Towns of North Elba and Saint Armand, Essex A Unit Management Plan was County and Brighton, Harrietstown, adopted for this area in 2011. Santa Clara and Tupper Lake, Franklin County. It is bounded on the north by the Tupper Lake Town line, the St. RAQUETTE RIVER Regis Canoe Area, State Highway 86 and County Highway 55; on the east by This area is located in the Towns of McKenzie Mountain Wilderness and the Colton, Hopkinton, and Parishville, St. Sentinel Range Wilderness; on the Lawrence County. It extends to the south by the High Peaks Wilderness north along the Raquette River and the Tupper Lake Town line; and on impoundments to Stark Reservoir and to the west by State Route 30 and the the south to Jamestown Falls just north Tupper Lake Town line. of Seveys Corner. It is also bounded on the east by the Raquette-Jordan Boreal Easily accessible from Routes 3 and Primitive Area and the west by Route 30, this southern Franklin County area 56. offers a broad network of streams, lakes and ponds for water-oriented recreation. This unit is characterized by flat and Boating access sites, camping areas gentle sloping terrain, flowing rivers, and portages are convenient for the day deciduous and evergreen forests, and user and the long distance traveler alike. numerous wetlands. Prior to the State’s The Fish Creek Ponds and Rollins Pond acquisition, many of these forested Campgrounds offer a base camp for tracts had limited and informal public some users of the area. use. Public access to the lands east of the Raquette River is gained by crossing Ampersand Mountain, just south of the river or the reservoir. As the Jordan Route 3 in the High Peaks Wilderness, River (a designated Scenic River) flows provides a superb view of this area as a through this unit, it meanders through reward for a three-mile hike through significant areas of boreal forest and majestic stands of hemlock and northern has the character of a northern hardwoods. Canadian river. This northwestern region of the Park contains significant This area does not yet have an low elevation boreal habitat. A canoe adopted Unit Management Plan. carry from Carry Falls Reservoir to the Jordan River allows paddlers to portage rapids and reach flat waters. The SARGENT PONDS Raquette River, above Carry Falls Reservoir, is a designated Scenic River. This area is located entirely within Hamilton County in the Towns of Arietta, A Unit Management Plan was Indian Lake, and Long Lake. It is adopted for this area in 2006. bounded on the south by the Blue Ridge Wilderness, and the southern shore of Raquette Lake; on the west by private lands and the Pigeon Lake Wilderness

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Area; on the north by private lands and there are a considerable number of old the Sperry Pond and Cedarlands log roads, chiefly in the southern half, Conservation Easement lands and the where most of the hills are low and Hamilton County line; and on the east gently sloped. These woods roads make by Long Lake and State Highway comfortable hiking trails that can be 28N/30. enjoyed by all ages.

Known to many canoeists, hunters A number of small ponds afford and anglers, this Wild Forest area some attractive camping sites. The contains numerous waterbodies that second growth hardwoods that vary from small interior beaver ponds to predominate allow easy foot travel both portions of shoreline on Blue Mountain on and off the old woods roads and foot Lake, Forked Lake, Lake Eaton, Long trails. This is in contrast to much of the Lake, Raquette Lake and Utowana State lands north of the area where the Lake. 1950 blow down and subsequent dense softwood reproduction has made travel The North Point Road provides off maintained foot trails quite difficult. access to the Upper and Lower Sargent Ponds trails and Buttermilk Falls, a This tract offers great potential to popular destination along this stretch of serve the Wild Forest recreational needs the Raquette River. The Owls’ Head of New York's hikers, horsemen, snow- Mountain fire tower and Castle Rock on mobilers, cross-country skiers and Blue Mountain Lake provide scenic campers, and is capable of absorbing a views of the surrounding lakes and considerable degree of public use. forest. A Unit Management Plan was Public campgrounds on Raquette adopted for this area in 2006. Lake, Forked Lake and Lake Eaton plus the North Point Road to the Raquette River provide varied access and SPLIT ROCK MOUNTAIN recreational opportunity to users of this area. This area is located in the eastern foothills of the Adirondack This area does not yet have an Mountains along the western shore of adopted Unit Management Plan. Lake Champlain, in the Towns of Essex and Westport, Essex County. It is bounded on the east by Lake SHAKER MOUNTAIN Champlain, and on the north, west and south by private lands. The area is This area is located in the Towns of named for Split Rock Mountain, the Bleeker, Caroga, Mayfield and predominant feature of the landscape Northampton, in Fulton County and the referring to an unusual “split rock” Town of Benson in Hamilton County. formation and historic landmark found With the exception of snowmobile trails on private land at the northern end of and the trail to the Kane Mountain Fire the mountain. Tower, this area receives relatively little use. Most of the area was heavily logged prior to State acquisition and

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Habitat varies from the open views of Lake Champlain and the Green wetlands of Webb Royce Swamp to the Mountains of Vermont. Its granite gneiss precipitous cliffs on the eastern side of cliffs, several hundred feet tall, provide Split Rock Mountain. The area also nesting habitat for peregrine falcons and harbors a rich and unique mosaic of are also a popular rock and ice climbing flora and fauna. The northernmost destination. The open and rocky, 3,168- breeding population of the New York foot summit of Catamount offers a 360- State endangered timber rattlesnake is degree view including Whiteface found here. All tree species native to Mountain, Lyon Mountain, Union Falls New York that are found north of the and Lake Champlain. Numerous Mohawk River are represented in this discontinuous parcels and a lack of unit. The area provides habitat for developed facilities affords many representative bird species of the opportunities for discovery and solitude Adirondack Park; eighty percent of the in this unit The Department of bird species found in the park, including Environmental Conservation administers black-crowned night heron and the State lands within this area other than peregrine falcon, have been Forest Preserve, including the Ausable documented in this region. Several Marsh, Pauline Murdock and Wickham threatened plant species reside within Marsh Wildlife Management Areas, and the unit as well. the Terry Mountain and Burnt Hill State Forests. The diversity of natural resources and recreational opportunities in this unit A Unit Management Plan was attract visitors for a variety of uses, adopted for this area in 2013. including day hiking, camping, hunting, and wildflower and wildlife observation. VANDERWHACKER MOUNTAIN A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2005. This area is located in the Towns of Chester, Johnsburg, Keene, Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, and Schroon TAYLOR POND in Essex and Warren Counties. It is generally bounded on the south by the This area is located in portions of Hudson Gorge Wilderness and State thirteen towns in three counties in the Route 8; on the west by the Hudson northeastern region of the Adirondack River; on the east by State Route 9 and Park. It is bounded on the north and Schroon Lake; and on the north by State west by Route 3 and the Adirondack Route 28N and the High Peaks Park Blue Line; the east by Lake Wilderness. Champlain; and on the south by Route 9N between Elizabethtown and The primary attractions of the area Westport. are the lakes and ponds, the Hudson and Boreas Rivers and Vanderwhacker Significant land features in this unit Mountain. The latter, by virtue of its include Poke-O-Moonshine and isolated location, provides perhaps the Catamount Mountains. Poke-O- best view of the High Peaks from the Moonshine, with a restored fire tower on south in the Park. From the summit of its 2,180-foot summit, offers outstanding Vanderwhacker Mountain, it is also

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possible to trace the course of the in this unit as the result of the close Hudson River and gain an appreciation proximity of two large, abutting of that river's magnificence. Wilderness Areas to the east and south. An alternative, less remote, experience The Hudson River and the Boreas in these wild lands is also possible due River within this area are designated to the close proximity of rural land use to Scenic rivers. White water stretches, the west of the unit, including maple interspersed with stillwaters, provide a sugar farms, working forests, seasonal variety of scenes to hold one's camps, and the villages of Croghan and appreciation. The Wolf Pond, Durgin Harrisville. Brook and Lester Flow sections of the Upper Boreas are well known to bird A Unit Management Plan was clubs. There are plant and birdlife adopted for this area in 2010. communities of unusual interest, particularly those featuring boreal species. WHITEHILL

Consistent with Master Plan This unit is located in St. Lawrence guidelines for Wild, Scenic and County and includes Wild Forest lands Recreational Rivers, the waters of the within an area bounded on the west and Hudson River in this area shall be free north by the Adirondack Park Blue Line; from motorized activity. the east by the St. Lawrence-Franklin county line; and on the south by the A Unit Management Plan was West Branch of the St. Regis River, the adopted for this area in 2005. Stark-Joe Indian Road and Route 56.

Forests consisting of maple, beech, WATSON’S EAST TRIANGLE birch, pine and hemlock cover the area’s low rolling foothills. The highest point is This unit is located within the Town a 1,600-foot unnamed hill located in the of Webb, Herkimer County, and the southeastern corner of the unit’s main Towns of Croghan and Watson Lewis parcel. County. The unit is bounded on the north by the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest; A distinguishing feature of the area the east by the Five Ponds Wilderness is Wheeler Marsh. This 1,238-acre Area; the south by the Pepperbox wetland is one of the largest in the Wilderness Area; and on the west northern Adirondack region. It provides primarily by working forest lands habitat for a wide array of wildlife and encumbered by conservation offers views of expansive, open easements held by the State. peatlands. The largest natural water body is the 35-acre Clear Pond. Easy Numerous roads and trails on State- access to this pond affords an excellent owned land and adjacent easements opportunity for fishing, canoeing and provide many opportunities for hiking, camping. mountain biking, cross country skiing, big game hunting, fishing, camping and A Unit Management Plan was snowmobiling. Visitors have the adopted for this area in 2006. opportunity for solitude and remoteness

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WILCOX LAKE WILMINGTON

This area is bounded on the south The area consists of State lands in by the Adirondack Park Blue Line; the the Towns of Wilmington, Jay and west by State Highway 30, the Silver Keene in Essex County and Black Brook Lake Wilderness, and State Highway 8; in Clinton County. It is roughly bounded and east by State Routes 28 and 9. on the north by the Forestdale and Silver Lake Roads; the east by Route The Hudson River is the border for 9N; the south by the Sentinel the eastern side of the area, which is Wilderness and Whiteface Mountain Ski composed of a collection of smaller Center; and on the west by Gillespie detached Forest Preserve parcels. The Drive, Whiteface Mountain Veteran’s southern boundary of this area is the Memorial Highway and the McKenzie Blue Line of the Park and below the Mountain Wilderness. Great Sacandaga Reservoir the area is also composed of several smaller The area’s distinguishing feature is detached parcels. its diversity of recreational opportunities. The largest contiguous parcel, Crane Mountain is the tallest approximately 6,400 acres, offers scenic mountain in the area, providing rock cliffs overlooking much of the Jay unobstructive views of the region. The and Sentinel Ranges, camping at the Hadley Mountain fire tower provides lean-to on Cooper Kill Pond, and hikers with endless views across the hunting access along the Forestdale southeast corner of the Park. Road. Other State land parcels provide access for trout fishing on the renowned This area is capable of withstanding Ausable River, viewing scenic considerably more recreational use waterfalls, rock climbing and mountain without the destruction of the physical biking. In the winter, cross country resource or the Wild Forest atmosphere. skiing, ice climbing, trapping, and It is an area of rolling hills and open snowmobiling are available. summits with a considerable number of attractive brook trout streams. A Unit Management Plan was Numerous trails provide easy access by adopted for this area in 2005. foot in the summer and by snowmobiles, skis or snowshoes in the winter.

In addition and contrast to this well developed trail system, there is also a large trail-less section north of Wilcox Lake that provides an excellent opportunity for a remote experience.

This area does not yet have an adopted Unit Management Plan.

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INTENSIVE USE AREAS DAY USE AREAS

CAMPGROUNDS Ski centers, parkways, beaches Alger Island AuSable Point Gore Mountain Ski Center Brown Tract Pond Hinckley Day Use Area Buck Pond Lake George Beach Caroga Lake Lake George Battlefield Park Cranberry Lake Mt. Van Hoevenberg Winter Recreation Crown Point Area Eagle Point Prospect Mountain Parkway Eighth Lake Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway Fish Creek Ponds Whiteface Mountain Ski Center Forked Lake Golden Beach BOAT LAUNCHING SITES Hearthstone Point Lake Durant The following lakes are Lake Eaton approximately 1,000 acres or more in Lake George Battleground size and are therefore eligible for further Lake George Islands analysis to determine their suitability for Lake Harris initial or additional boat launch ramp Lewey Lake construction. Limekiln Lake Lincoln Pond Name of Water Number of Little Sand Point Acres Luzerne Meacham Lake Lake Champlain 281,600 Meadowbrook Lake George 28,160 Moffitt Beach Great Sacandaga Lake 26,656 Moose River Plains Camping Area* Cranberry Lake 6,976 Nicks Lake Carry Falls Reservoir 6,458 Northampton Beach Tupper Lake 6,240 Paradox Lake Stillwater Reservoir 6,195 Point Comfort Raquette Lake 5,274 Poke-O-Moonshine Upper Saranac Lake 5,056 Poplar Point Indian Lake 4,365 Putnam Pond Schroon Lake 4,128 Rogers rock Long Lake 4,090 Rollins Pond Piseco Lake 2,848 Sacandaga Lake Placid 2,803 Scaroon Manor Hinckley Reservoir 2,784 Sharp Bridge Upper Chateaugay Lake 2,605 Taylor Pond Little Tupper Lake 2,381 Tioga Point Lower Saranac Lake 2,285 Wilmington Notch Fourth Lake (Fulton Chain) 2,138 * Less developed facilities Chazy Lake 1,606 Sacandaga Lake 1,600

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Name of Water Number of Lake Flower Acres Oseetah Lake

Lake Pleasant 1,440 Tupper Chain: Middle Saranac Lake 1,376 Union Falls Flow 1,376 Tupper Lake Brant Lake 1,376 Simon Pond Peck Lake 1,370 Raquette Pond Big Moose Lake 1,286 Blue Mountain Lake 1,261 St. Regis Chain: Forked Lake 1,248 Meacham Lake 1,203 Upper St. Regis Lake Woodhull Lake 1,158 Lower St. Regis Lake Abanakee Lake 1,018 Lake Clear 1,000 Chateaugay Chain:

The following lake chains contain Upper Chateaugay lakes less than 1,000 acres in size, but Lower Chateaugay the combined acreage of lakes within these chains exceeds approximately Fulton Chain: 1,000 acres. These lakes, listed below, are eligible for further consideration to First Lake determine their suitability for boat launch Second Lake ramp construction because they are Third Lake connected by navigable waterways and the aggregate acreage of each chain Rainbow Chain: exceeds 1,000 acres. These chains may contain additional lakes less than 1,000 Lake Kushaqua acres in size which are not listed. Such Rainbow Lake lakes have been determined to be unsuitable for boat launch ramp con- Indian Chain: struction. Indian Lake Lewey Lake Saranac Chain: Upper Saranac Chain: Middle Saranac Lower Saranac Square Pond Second Pond Fish Creek Pond First Pond Lake Kiwassa

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HISTORIC AREAS

CAMP SANTANONI

Camp Santanoni Historic Area is 35 acres in size and located north of New York State Route 28N in the Town of Newcomb in Essex County. It consists of three clusters of buildings (the Gate House Complex, the Farm Complex and the Main Camp Complex) and a 4.7-mile access road connecting them. Camp Santanoni, one of the oldest and largest great camps, was created by Robert C. Pruyn in 1892. The 12,900+ acre Santanoni Preserve was acquired by the State of New York in 1972 as part of the Forest Preserve. The three building complexes and the road are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are in the process of being restored. The Unit Management Plan for this area was adopted in 2000.

CROWN POINT

This 390 acre site contains archaeological remains and ruins from a number of periods and events significant to the history of New York State and the nation including: a number of archaeological sites pre-contact Native American, the standing ruins of Fort Saint Frederic constructed by the French in 1731, and archaeological remains of associated military and civilian occupations. Crown Point was the second post captured by American forces in 1775 (after Fort Ticonderoga) and served as the base for the American fleet that fought in the Battle of Valcour Bay. The property surrounding the sites of the French and British forts was donated to the state in 1910 on the condition that the ruins be preserved in perpetuity. Subsequent acquisitions have expanded the boundaries. Crown Point is listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

HURRICANE MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER

This area includes the fire tower on Hurricane Mountain and a 0.5 acre square surrounding the fire tower. The fire tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area was reclassified from Primitive to Historic in 2010. The designation does not preclude the Department of Environmental Conservation from determining the fire towers structurally unsound and should be removed, nor does it preclude the DEC from relocating the fire tower to another location consistent with its historic setting. In this event, the area’s classification will, without any further Agency action, become part of the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Area. The Historic Area designation does not require, obligate or anticipate expenditure of State funds for maintenance and restoration of the fire tower.

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JOHN BROWN’S FARM

This 105 acre area includes the home, farm, pond, and grave of abolitionist John Brown. John Brown was buried at this site following his 1859 execution in Virginia. The bodies of two of Browns’ sons and several of Browns’ followers, who were killed in the raid on the Harper’s Ferry Armory, were relocated to this site. The property was deeded to the State of New York in 1895 on the condition that it be preserved as a park or reservation. A monument to Brown was erected in 1935. The property is listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

ST. REGIS MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER

This area includes the fire tower on St. Regis Mountain and a 0.5 acre square surrounding the fire tower. The fire tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area was reclassified from Primitive to Historic in 2010. The designation does not preclude the Department of Environmental Conservation from determining the fire towers structurally unsound and should be removed, nor does it preclude the DEC from relocating the fire tower to another location consistent with its historic setting. In this event, the area’s classification will revert to Canoe Area. The Historic Area designation does not require, obligate or anticipate expenditure of State funds for maintenance and restoration of the fire tower.

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STATE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS

Lands included in the State Administrative classification:

CLINTON

Ausable -- Maintenance Area, Rt. 9N-I-87 - DOT Dannemora -- Correctional Facility - Dept. of Correctional Services Dannemora -- Correctional Facility – DCS Dannemora -- Clinton East Annex - DCS Dannemora -- Surplus Property - OGS Dannemora -- Adk. Correctional Treatment & Evaluation Center Dannemora -- ROW- SH 5186, Vacant Land - DOT Saranac SH -- 1398 Moffittsville/Franklin, Maintenance Area – DOT Saranac -- Vacant, Rt. 3/Saranac River – DCS Saranac – Cemetery, Douglas Rd. –DCS Saranac – Cemetery, Ryan Rd. –DCS Saranac – Vacant, West side of Picketts Corner Rd. – DCS Saranac – Vacant, East and West sides of Picketts Corner Rd. – DCS Saranac – Vacant, Picketts Corner Rd. at Barnham Brook Rd. - DCS

ESSEX

Crown Point – Maintenance Area, Factoryville Rd. – DOT Chesterfield – Maintenance Area, Rt. 22 - DOT Elizabethtown -- Rt. 9N - Essex County Stonehouse Maintenance Area – DOT Keene – Route 73, Essex County Sub-headquarter - DOT Lewis -- West of Exit 32, Maintenance Area - DOT Minerva -- Maintenance Area, Rt. 28N – DOT Minerva – One acre gravel pit along Chain Lakes Road (South) Newcomb – One acre gravel pit along Chain Lakes Road (North) Newcomb – One acre gravel pit north of Deer Pond North Elba -- Camp Adirondack - DCS North Elba -- Ray Brook State Office Complex North Hudson -- Maintenance Area, Exit 30 - DOT Schroon -- Schroon Lake Sewage Treatment Plant - EFC Schroon -- Horseshoe Brook Pumping Station, Utility - EFC Schroon -- Int. Rts. 9, 73/Maintenance Area, Residency Office - DOT Severance -- Maintenance Area - Int. Rts. 9 & 73 - DOT Stowerville -- Maintenance Area - 2 mi. west of I.87 - DOT Ticonderoga -- 315 Champlain Ave., State Armory, Div. Military, Naval Affairs Underwood -- Maintenance Area - Rt. 9 - DOT Westport-- N. Main Street, Sewage Treatment Plant - EFC Westport -- Pumping Station No. 1, Washington Avenue - EFC

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Westport -- Pumping Station No. 2, S. Main Street - EFC Wilmington -- Atmospheric Sciences Research Center

FRANKLIN

Duane -- Maintenance Area Rt. 458, "Meacham Lake" - DOT Franklin -- Maintenance Area Rt. 3, Vermontville - DOT Harrietstown -- State Armory Harrietstown -- Maintenance Area Rt. 86, Lake Clear Jct. – DOT & DEC Harrietstown -- Wawbeek Maintenance Area - DOT Santa Clara -- Adirondack Fish Hatchery Tupper Lake -- Sunmount Developmental Center – DMH

FULTON

Northampton -- Maintenance Area SH 362 - DOT Northampton -- DEC, Northville - DEC Rockwood 29 – DOT

HAMILTON

Arietta -- Maintenance Area - Rt. 10, 1.5 mi. north of Fulton County - DOT Indian Lake -- Maintenance Area, Residency - DOT Hoffmeister -- Maintenance Area, Rt. 8 – DOT Long Lake -- Maintenance Area, Rts. 28N, 30 - DOT Long Lake -- Maintenance Area Rt. 28, Raquette Lake Patrol Long Lake -- Maintenance Area SH 5189, Long Lake Patrol Long Lake -- Little Tupper Lake Headquarters, Rt.10, 4 mi. west of Rt. 3 Long Lake – Raquette Lake Water Supply – DEC Long Lake – Maintenance Area, Sagamore Road - DOT Wells -- Hamilton County Sub-headquarters

ST. LAWERENCE

Colton -- Town of Colton Maintenance Area-Rt. 3 - DOT Colton – Cranberry Lake Maintenance Center - DEC Fine -- St. Lawrence Power Radio Tower Fine -- Radio Tower Site – PASNY Fine -- Ranger School – SUNY ESF Hopkinton -- White Hill Radio Towers

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WARREN Lake George -- Residential Bldg. Location/I-87 - DOT Chester SS -- Rt. 8, Maintenance Area – DOT Chestertown -- Maintenance Area-I-87, Exit 25 on Rt. 8 – DOT Johnsburg – Maintenance Area, Peaceful Valley Road -DOT Warrensburg -- Parking Lot SH 5157 Warrensburg-Chestertown - DOT Warrensburg -- Maintenance Area near I-87/Lake George-Warrensburg - DOT Warrensburg -- Warren County Storehouse Site Warrensburg -- DEC Office-DEC Warrensburg-Warren County Residency on Rt. 9 Queensbury -- DOT properties – DOT

WILD, SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL RIVERS SYSTEM in the Adirondack Park

Number of Miles Classified

River Wild Scenic Recreational

Ampersand Brook 8.6 Ausable -- Main Branch 21.7 Ausable -- East Branch 8.8 25.2 Ausable -- West Branch 31.8 Black 6.8 5.8 Bog 6.2 Boreas 11.4 Bouquet 42.7 Bouquet -- North Fork 5.9 Bouquet -- South Fork 5.0 Blue Mountain Stream (Trib. of 7.9 Middle Branch, Grasse River) Cedar 13.5 13.0 10.4 Cold 14.5 Deer 5.7 East Canada Creek 19.3 Grasse -- Middle Branch 12.9 Grasse -- North Branch 25.4 Grasse -- South Branch 36.1 4.2 Hudson 11.2 11.8 55.1 Independence 24.5 Indian (Trib. of Hudson River) 7.5 Indian (Trib. of Moose River -- South Branch) 15.1 Jordan 15.7 Kunjamuk 7.1 9.1 Long Pond Outlet 16.3 Marion 4.4 Moose -- Main Branch 15.0 11.0

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Moose – North Branch 5.3 11.6 Moose -- South Branch 33.6 Opalescent 10.4 Oswegatchie -- Main Branch 14.9 Oswegatchie -- Middle Branch 13.0 22.7 Oswegatchie -- West Branch 7.2 6.3 Otter River 8.8 Ouluska Pass Brook 2.3 Piseco Outlet 3.8 Raquette 36.0 51.6 Red 8.0 Rock 6.4 1.3 Round Lake Outlet 2.4 St. Regis -- East Branch 15.4 6.3 St. Regis -- Main Branch 15.6 23.9 St. Regis -- West Branch 31.5 5.5 Sacandaga -- East Branch 11.3 12.6 Sacandaga -- Main Branch 28.5 Sacandaga -- West Branch 18.1 16.6 Salmon 11.6 Saranac 62.7 Schroon 63.9 West Canada Creek 7.4 17.1 9.1 West Canada Creek -- South Branch 5.7 9.1 West Stony Creek 7.4 7.7

TOTALS 148.4 487.2 545.6

TOTAL MILES CLASSIFIED 1181.1

These mileage statistics include all designated rivers and therefore include 2362.2 miles of shoreline. Most recreational river shoreline and some wild and scenic river shoreline is privately owned.

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TRAVEL CORRIDORS

RAILROAD LINES

Remsen to Lake Placid 122 miles

HIGHWAYS

Route Terminal Approximate Mileage

I-87 Northern Park Boundary to Southern Park Boundary 91 3 Western Park Boundary to Northeastern Park Boundary 107(a) 8 Southwest Park Boundary to Hague 109 9 Northern Park Boundary to Southern Park Boundary 92(b) 9L Southeastern Park Boundary to Route 9 13 9N Southern Park Boundary to Keeseville 124 10 Southern Park Boundary to Route 8 23 22 Northern Park Boundary to Southern Park Boundary 76(c) 28 Southwestern Park Boundary to Route 9 100(d) 28N Blue Mountain Lake to North Creek 47(e) 29A Southern Park Boundary to Southwestern Park Boundary 18(f) 30 Northern Park Boundary to Southern Park Boundary 151(g) 56 Northern Park Boundary to Sevey 15 58 Western Park Boundary to Fine 5 458 Northern Park Boundary to Route 30 20 73 Route 9 to Route 86 26(h) 74 Route 9 to Lake Champlain 30 86 Jay to Route 30 34 149 Southern Park Boundary to Southeastern Park Boundary 5 186 Route 86 to Route 30 at Lake Clear 4 192A Route 192 to Route 86 2 287 Western Park Boundary to Route 8 6 373 Port Kent to Route 9 3 374 Northern Park Boundary to Dannemora 27 418 Warrensburg to Thurman 3 421 Horseshoe Lake to Route 30 6 431 Wilmington to Whiteface Summit 8 185 Crown Point Bridge to Route 22 4

Subtotal 1165 Miles Minus dual designations 87 Total 1078 Miles

(a) includes 6 miles dually designated as Route 30 (b) includes 4 miles dually designated as Route 8 and 10 miles dually designated as Route 73

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(c) includes 25 miles dually designated as Route 9N (d) includes 11 miles dually designated as Route 30 (e) includes 9 miles dually designated as Route 30 (f) includes 5 miles dually designated as Route 10 (g) includes 9 miles dually designated as Route 8 (h) includes 2 miles dually designated as Route 9N

SCENIC VISTAS

Potential Scenic Pull-offs

TOWN LOCATION

Bellmont 1 mile west of Owl's Head Bolton Two on Federal Hill Road Bolton One on Coolidge Hill Road Corinth Approximately 0.5 miles east of Daly Creek Road and 0.1 miles north of West Mountain Road Dannemora 0.5 miles west of Village of Dannemora on State Route 374 Dannemora 0.25 miles east of Merrill Road Dannemora 2.75 miles northeast of Village of Dannemora on French Settlement Road Dannemora 1 mile northeast of hamlet of Standish on road from Standish to Lyon Mountain Ellenburg Approximately 6.5 miles north of Upper Chateaugay Lake and approximately ¼ mile west of West Hill School Essex 1.5 miles northeast of Whallonsburg on Christian Road Essex 0.75 miles southwest of Whallon Bay (Lake Champlain) on Lake Shore Road Fine Approximately 1.25 miles south of hamlet of Fine Harrietstown Approximately at intersection of State Routes 86 and 192-A Hopkinton Whites Hill Indian Lake On State Route 30 overlooking Lake Abanakee Indian Lake 2.5 miles east of Lake Abanakee overlooking Lake Snow Johnsburg 3 miles south of hamlet of North Creek Johnsburg 3 miles south of North River on Barton Mine Road Johnsburg Approximately 0.5 miles southeast of Bakers Mills Keene Intersection of Route 73 and 9N Lake Pleasant On southeast shore of Lake Pleasant Newcomb On State Route 28N approximately 0.75 miles south of Campsite Road Newcomb 3 miles east of hamlet of Newcomb on State Route 28N North Elba 0.5 miles east of Village of Lake Placid on State Route 86 North Elba Near intersection of State Route 73 and Heart Lake Road in North Elba Ohio Intersection of West Canada Creek Road and State Route 8 at hamlet of Nobleboro

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Santa Clara Two miles west of Keese Mill on Keese Mills Road Santa Clara On State Route 30 at Pelky Bay on Upper Saranac Lake Saranac 3.25 miles east of Picketts Corners near Hardscrabble Road Saranac 2 miles southeast of hamlet of Saranac on Burnt Hill Road Saranac At intersection of Chazy Lake Road and Chateaugay Branch of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Saranac Two miles northwest of Clayburg on Clayburg to Standish Road Tupper Lake At intersection of road east of Sunmount Developmental Center and State Routes 3 and 30 Tupper Lake Approximately 1.5 miles west of the Railroad Station on State Route 3 Willsboro 1.5 miles south of Willsboro on County Route 22-M Willsboro 4.5 miles northeast of Willsboro on County Route 27 on Willsboro Point Westport 4.0 miles north of Westport

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SPECIAL MANAGEMENT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AuSable River Delta Balanced Rock Illustrative Special Interest Areas Chimney Mountain Colden Dike SCENIC Giant Mountain Slides Ice Cave Mountain Ampersand Mountain Summit McComb Mountain Slide Arab Mountain Summit Moose River Rock Dam Azure Mountain Summit Rainbow Lake Esker Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain Summit Rogers Rock Bar Mountain Summit Round Mountain Exfoliating Dome Black Mountain Peak Six Mile Creek Esker Blue Mountain Summit Bog River Falls Bushnell's Falls HISTORIC Buttermilk Falls Cascade Falls Axton Plantation East Canada Falls Burnt Shanty Clearing Falls Brook Fort George & Battleground Fort Noble Mountain French Louie's Camp Hadley Mountain Summit Historic Great Camps Hanging Spear Falls Mother Johnson's Boarding House High Falls Long Lake--Round Pond Canal Historic Great Camps Prospect Mountain Inclined R.R. Hurricane Mountain Summit Riparius Bridge Indian Falls Rondeau's Hermitage Kane Mountain Summit Roosevelt Plaque Miller's Falls Scott's Pond Lumber Dam Opalescent Flume Scott Clearing and Lumber Dam Paradise Bay Lake Stevens Flume Route Poke-O-Moonshine Summit Valcour Island Prospect Mountain Pulpit Rock Raquette Falls NATURAL Red Rock Bay Rocky Falls Baxter Mountain St. Regis Mountain Summit Bloomingdale Bog Sleeping Beauty Boreas Hardwood Sliding Rock Falls Buckhorn Lake Hardwoods Twitchell Creek Gorge Chubb River Marsh Vanderwhacker Mountain Summit Church Pond Wakely Mountain Summit Five Ponds Esker Wanika Falls Griffin Rapids Virgin Timber Whiteface Mountain Summit The Gulf Moose River Plains

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Oseetah Lake Marsh Raquette River Delta Oswegatchie Plains South Inlet--Raquette Lake Otter Pond Virgin Timber Tongue Mountain Owl's Head--Red Pine Area Wanika Falls Hardwoods Pharaoh Lake Red Pine Whiteface Mountain--Red Pine Area Piseco Lake Hardwoods Whitehouse Hardwoods Pine Orchard Valcour Island Pine Ridge Peninsula Nature Trail

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Formerly Section 807, added L. APPENDIX I 1971, c. 706, Section 1; renumbered 816 and amended L. 1973, c.348, Section I. Section 816 Master plan for Section 807 read as follows: management of State lands

Section 807. Master Plan for 1. The department of environmental management of State lands conservation is hereby authorized and directed to develop, in consultation with 1. In order to further carry out the the agency, individual management purposes of this article as described in plans for units of land classified in the section eight hundred one, the agency master plan for management of State shall prepare and submit to the governor lands heretofore prepared by the for his approval on or before June first, agency in consultation with the nineteen hundred seventy-two a master department of environmental plan, developed in consultation with the conservation and approved by the department of environmental governor. Such management plans shall conservation, for management of State conform to the general guidelines and lands, whether now owned or hereafter criteria set forth in the master plan. Until acquired, located in the Adirondack amended, the master plan for park. Such plan shall (1) classify such management of State lands and the lands according to their characteristics individual management plans shall and capacity to withstand use and guide the development and provide general guidelines and criteria management of State lands in the for the management and use of lands Adirondack park. within such classifications, and (2) reflect the actual and projected uses of 2. The master plan and the private lands within the park as those individual management plans shall be uses may be more fully characterized in reviewed periodically and may be the development of the land use and amended from time to time, and when development plan provided for in section so amended shall as amended eight hundred five of this article. henceforth guide the development and management of State lands in the 2. Upon approval of such plan by Adirondack park. Amendments to the the governor, the department of master plan shall be prepared by the environmental conservation is hereby agency, in consultation with the authorized and directed to develop, in department of environmental consultation with the agency, individual conservation, and submitted after public management plans for units of land hearing to the governor for his approval. classified in the master plan and such management plans shall conform to the 3. The agency and department are general guidelines and criteria set forth hereby authorized to develop rules and in the master plan. Until amended, the regulations necessary, convenient or master plan for management of State desirable to effectuate the purposes of lands and the individual management this section. plans shall guide the development and management of State lands in the Adirondack park.

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3. The master plan and the individual management plans shall be reviewed periodically and may be amended from time to time in the same manner as initially adopted, and when so amended shall as amended henceforth guide the development and management of State lands in the Adirondack Park.

4. The agency and department are hereby authorized to develop rules and regulations necessary, convenient or desirable to effectuate the purposes of this section.

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APPENDIX II

State-held conservation easements within the Adirondack Park*

Name County (ies) Town (s) Acres Adirondack Mountain Reserve Essex Keene, North Hudson 6,980 (Ausable Club) Alderbrook Park Franklin Franklin 1,158 Bartlett Carry Franklin Harrietstown 232 Blue Mountain & Hamilton Indian Lake 141 Utowana Lakes Bluff Point Hamilton Indian Lake 82 Burton Essex Keene 40 Cedarlands Boy Scout Hamilton Long Lake 4,774 Camp Franklin, Lewis, Champion 8 Towns 108,377 St. Lawrence Conservation Fund St. Lawrence Piercefield 13,549 (Raquette River) Deer Island (Upper Franklin Santa Clara 41 Saranac Lake) Dillon Park/Sperry Pond Hamilton Long Lake 15,651 Clifton, Colton, Dreby St. Lawrence 401 Piercefield Eagle Nest Hamilton Indian Lake 946 Elk Lake Preserve Essex North Hudson 1,565 Finch Pruyn 6 Counties 25 Towns 25,218 Flat Rock Mountain Herkimer Ohio 512 Forked Lake Hamilton Long Lake 235 Franklin Falls Essex, Franklin Franklin, St. Armand 3,682 Grass River St. Lawrence Clare, Clifton, Colton 49,776 I-87 – Scenic Exit 23 Warren Lake George 6.3 I-87 – Scenic Exit 24 Warren Chestertown 16.3 I-87 – Scenic Exit 26 Warren Chester 4.4 I-87 – Scenic Exit 27 Essex Schroon 4.1 I-87 – Scenic Exit 28 Essex Schroon 18 I-87 – Scenic Exit 29 Essex North Hudson 1.6 I-87 – Scenic Exit 31 Essex Westport 75.2 I-87 – Scenic Exit 32 Essex Lewis 115.2

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I-87 – Scenic Exit 33 Essex Chesterfield 35.3 IP/Lyme Timber 12 Counties 36 Towns 242,243 Lake Placid Shoreline Essex North Elba 374 Lassiter Clinton, St. Lawrence 9 Towns 38,627 Long Pond Timber St. Lawrence Clare, Colton 18,387 Loon Pond Hamilton Long Lake 2,041 Lyons Falls Pulp & Herkimer Ohio, Webb 17,840 Paper Massawepie St. Lawrence Piercefield 3,039 Moshier Reservoir Herkimer Webb 22 Nehasane Hamilton, Herkimer Long Lake, Webb 9,664 Colton, Parishville, Niagara Mohawk St. Lawrence 8,475 Piercefield Norowal Marina (Bolton Warren Bolton 0.3 Town Boat Launch) Brighton, Harrietstown, Paul Smiths College Franklin 7,694 Santa Clara Pine Lake Hamilton Morehouse 994 Pollock Franklin Santa Clara 1 Raquette River St. Lawrence Piercefield 4,352 Sabattis Land Company Hamilton, St. Lawrence Colton, Long Lake 1,629 Bellmont, Dannemora, Sable Highlands Clinton, Franklin Ellenburg, Franklin, 84,000 Saranac Shell Rock Clinton Black Brook 806 Split Rock Farm Essex Essex 394 Sucker Lake St. Lawrence Fine 214 Tahawus Essex Newcomb 3,216 Trophy Ridge Hamilton Long Lake 2,589 Clifton, Colton, Yorkshire (Conifer) St. Lawrence 19,194 Piercefield

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Other Less Than Fee Interests l) Nehasane, 1979 Town of Webb 3664 acres, subject to a 5O -year estate retained by the Webb Family

2) Warrensburg Fish Hatchery Town of Warrensburg Right of Reversion

3) Crown Point Fish Hatchery Town of Crown Point Right of Reversion

* Not all of these lands are open to the public. Please contact the NYSDEC for additional information.

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Public Fishing Rights Easements

County Stream Mileage*

Clinton Alder Brook 0.17 Ausable River 0.15 Cold Brook 0.45 North Branch Great Chazy 1.01 North Branch Saranac River 4.58 Salmon River 3.38 Saranac River 3.27 True Brook 4.14 Unnamed Water 0.45

Essex Ausable River 1.15 Boquet River 21.39 Chubb River 1.27 East Branch Ausable River 10.54 North Branch Boquet River 9.59 Putnam Creek 1.85 Schroon River 6.11 Spruce Mill Brook 3.59 West Branch Ausable River 3.78

Franklin Alder Brook 0.20 Chateaugay River 1.16 Dexter Lake Outlet 0.32 East Branch Saint Regis River 2.43 Hatch Brook 0.53 Lake Ozonia Outlet 0.77 North Branch Saranac River 6.39 Salmon River 2.47 St. Regis River 2.72

Fulton East Canada Creek 3.14 Sprite Creek 0.28

Herkimer Black River 0.28 East Canada Creek 0.22 Little Black Creek 3.69 Trammel Creek 0.58 Unnamed Water 0.37 West Canada Creek 0.11

Lewis Hogs Back Creek 0.21 Unnamed Water 0.52 Unnamed Water 0.21 West Branch Oswegatchie River 3.11

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Oneida Woodhull Creek 0.40

St. Lawrence Grass River 0.67 Little River 4.62 North Branch Grass River 0.46 St. Regis River 0.79 Twin Lake Stream 1.36 Unnamed Water 0.49 Unnamed Water 0.29 Unnamed Water 0.46

Warren Balm of Gilead 0.02 Hague Brook 0.19 Hudson River 0.75 Mill Creek 4.22 North Creek 1.64 Schroon River 0.38 West Brook 0.24

Total 123.56 Miles

Mileage is calculated based upon easements held on each bank.

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