Catskill Forest Preserve Public Access Plan
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Catskill Forest Preserve Public Access Plan June 1999 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation George E. Pataki, Governor John P. Cahill, Commissioner In Cooperation with New York State Department of Transportation Acknowledgments This plan was prepared for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation by Bethia Waterman, with support and assistance from DEC staff in all program areas active in the Catskill Park, as well as representatives of New York State Department of Transportation and other state agencies, local government, sportsmen, environmental organizations, outdoor recreation groups, businesses and chambers of commerce, and private citizens. Artwork by: Marlena Marallo, Artistic Director Arm of the Sea Theater PO Box 175 Malden-on-Hudson, NY 12453 For additional copies, or further information, contact one of the following DEC offices: NYS DEC Region 3 NYS DEC Region 4 21 South Putt Corners Road 1150 North Westcott Road New Paltz, NY 12561 Schenectady, NY 12306 (914) 256-3082 or 3083 (518) 357-2066 NYS DEC Region 4 NYS DEC Central Office Rte. 10 Bureau of Public Lands Stamford, NY 12167 50 Wolf Road (607) 652-7365 Albany, NY 12233 (518) 457-7433 2 Catskill Forest Preserve Public Access Plan Table of Contents A Vision for the Catskill Forest Preserve ..................................................................................................... 1 Goals of the Public Access Plan ............................................................................................................ 2 Planning Process for the Public Access Plan ........................................................................................ 3 ImplementationCOpportunities and Challenges ................................................................................... 5 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 8 The Catskill Forest Preserve ................................................................................................................. 8 The Catskill Park ................................................................................................................................... 8 New York City Watershed Agreement ................................................................................................. 9 NYS Scenic Byways Program ............................................................................................................ 11 DEC Management of the Catskill Forest Preserve .............................................................................. 14 Existing and Potential Demand for Use .............................................................................................. 16 Estimates of Potential Demand and Concern for Overuse .................................................................. 20 Key Issues and Actions ............................................................................................................................... 22 Enhance Scenic Travel Corridors ........................................................................................................ 24 Develop gateway information centers on major highways entering Catskill Park .............. 25 Develop new AEntering Catskill Park@ signs at gateways ................................................ 25 Implement DOT=s Guidelines for the Catskill Park, a set of standards for the state highways in the Catskill Park ...................................................................................... 26 Produce a scenic highways and byways driving pamphlet for the Catskill Park ................ 26 Institute regular DEC/DOT/NYC DEP/county/local government regional communication and coordination meetings ........................................................................................... 28 Develop a comprehensive plan for DEC signs and structures ............................................. 29 Implement use of international icons for recreation uses along state highways .................. 30 Amend the DEC sign law to allow businesses to advertise at up to four intersections ....... 31 Information and Interpretation ............................................................................................................ 34 Publications ................................................................................................................................. 35 Reprint Catskill Forest Preserve map and guide ................................................................. 35 Print recreation theme brochures for forest preserve activities ........................................... 36 Print maps showing public fishing rights ............................................................................ 37 Encourage regional tourism agents to integrate forest preserve information into local community, county, and regional tourism publications, as well as other media. ........ 38 Interpretation and Education ....................................................................................................... 39 Expand Catskill environmental education initiative ............................................................ 39 Restore Catskill Forest Preserve fire towers ........................................................................ 39 Build forest preserve volunteer network ............................................................................. 40 Establish a central library and research data base ............................................................... 41 3 Distribution of Information ......................................................................................................... 42 Pursue Catskill Interpretive Center Initiative ...................................................................... 42 Develop a coordinated DEC information distribution strategy ........................................... 43 Establish a network of local forest preserve information stations ....................................... 44 Contract professional advertising ........................................................................................ 44 DEC Public Outreach .................................................................................................................. 45 Publish a DEC Catskill regional personnel directory .......................................................... 45 Conduct training and familiarization workshops, field trips, and other public presentations45 Recreation Access and Development .................................................................................................. 47 Existing Conditions of Physical Access ...................................................................................... 47 Hiking .......................................................................................................................................... 48 Cross-country skiing ................................................................................................................... 48 Snowmobiling ............................................................................................................................. 48 Horseback riding ......................................................................................................................... 48 Bicycling ..................................................................................................................................... 49 Access for people with mobility impairments ............................................................................. 49 Interpretive Nature Trails ............................................................................................................ 49 Parking ........................................................................................................................................ 49 Fishing Access ............................................................................................................................. 53 Hunting and Trapping Access ..................................................................................................... 53 Camping Access .......................................................................................................................... 54 Swimming Access ....................................................................................................................... 56 Boating Access ............................................................................................................................ 57 New Physical Access Initiatives .................................................................................................. 58 Improve and complete Catskill Forest Preserve trail system ............................................... 58 Develop Arules of the trail@ procedures and education strategy ....................................... 61 Improve public access to water-based recreation in the Catskill Park. ............................... 62 Undertake a universal trail assessment of Catskill Forest Preserve trails ............................ 63 Build easy access fishing sites and sites accessible to people with disabilities ................... 63 Linking the Forest Preserve with the Catskill Region ................................................................. 64 Develop inn-to-inn trail systems 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