Draft Catskill Creek Unit Management Plan (UMP)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Draft Catskill Creek Unit Management Plan (UMP) Catskill Creek UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT Towns of Broome, Conesville, Fulton, Gilboa, Middleburgh, and Rensselaerville Counties of Albany and Schoharie February 2020 DIVISION OF LANDS AND FORESTS Bureau of State Land Management, Region 4 65561 State Highway 10, Suite 1 Stamford, New York 12167 607-652-7365 www.dec.ny.gov Catskill Creek Unit Management Plan A planning unit consisting of nine State Forests and one Wildlife Management Area in Schoharie and Albany Counties February 2020 Prepared by the Catskill Creek Unit Management Planning Team: Vicki Cross, Forester 2 Robert Cross, Forester I Donald Guest, Forester 1 Acknowledgments The Catskill Creek Unit Management Planning Team would like to gratefully acknowledge the efforts of all those who contributed to this plan. We particularly would like to thank the following people for information and review they provided: Bruce Hulbert, Surveyor III Josh Houghton, Natural Resource Planner New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands and Forests Region 4 65561 State Highway 10, Suite 1 Stamford, New York 12167 607-652-7365 https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4979.html 1 DEC’S MISSION "The quality of our environment is fundamental to our concern for the quality of life. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of New York to conserve, improve and protect its natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well- being." - Environmental Conservation Law 1-0101(1) VISION STATEMENT State Forests on the Catskill Creek Unit will be managed in a sustainable manner by promoting ecosystem health, enhancing landscape biodiversity, protecting soil productivity and water quality. In addition, the State Forests on this unit will continue to provide the many recreational, social and economic benefits valued so highly by the people of New York State. DEC will continue the legacy which started more than 80 years ago, leaving these lands to the next generation in better condition than they are today. This plan sets the stage for DEC to reach these ambitious goals by applying the latest research and science, with guidance from the public, whose land we have been entrusted to manage. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS STATE FOREST OVERVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS CATSKILL CREEK ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Counties of Albany and Schoharie ................................................................................................................. 1 DEC’S MISSION ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 VISION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................... 2 PREFACE ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 STATE FOREST OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Legal Considerations ............................................................................................................................................ 5 CP-42 Contact Cooperation, and Consultation with Indian Nations .................................................................... 5 MANAGEMENT PLANNING OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 6 Public Participation .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Strategic Plan for State Forest Management ....................................................................................................... 6 DEC’S MANAGEMENT APPROACH AND GOALS .................................................................................................................... 6 Forest Certification of State Forests ..................................................................................................................... 6 Ecosystem Management Approach ..................................................................................................................... 7 Ecosystem Management Strategies ..................................................................................................................... 8 State Forest Management Goals ......................................................................................................................... 8 Location Map ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 INFORMATION ON THE CATSKILL CREEK UNIT ..................................................................................................... 11 STATE LANDS IN THE UNIT ............................................................................................................................................. 11 SOILS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 11 GEOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Surficial Geology................................................................................................................................................. 12 Bedrock Geology ................................................................................................................................................ 13 WATER RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Major Streams, Rivers and Water Bodies ........................................................................................................... 17 BIODIVERSITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 19 Common Species ................................................................................................................................................ 19 Habitat ............................................................................................................................................................... 19 At-Risk Species.................................................................................................................................................... 20 VISUAL RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 22 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES .............................................................................................................................. 22 History of the Unit .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Inventory of Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Archaeological Site Protection ........................................................................................................................... 23 Archaeological Research .................................................................................................................................... 23 REAL PROPERTY ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 Boundary Lines ................................................................................................................................................... 23 Exceptions and Deeded Restrictions ................................................................................................................... 24 Encroachments ................................................................................................................................................... 25 Land Acquisition ................................................................................................................................................. 26 INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................................................................................... 27 Roads and Trails ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Signs / Kiosks ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Boating and Fishing Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 29 Utility Transmission and Collection
Recommended publications
  • 2.1 Regional Setting the Manor Kill Watershed Is
    2.1 Regional Setting The Manor Kill watershed is located in the southeastern region of NY State (Figure 2.1.1). The majority of the 34.4 mile2 Manor Kill watershed lies within the Town of Conesville, with a very small sliver in the Town of Gilboa. The Manor Kill is part of the Schoharie Watershed, which encompasses 316 miles2, and receives waters from other creeks such as the Figure 2.1.1 Schoharie Creek watershed counties Batavia Kill, West Kill and East Kill. The entire Schoharie basin (above reservoir) also includes the towns of Windham, Ashland, Jewett, Hunter, Prattsville, Roxbury and Lexington (Fig 2.1.2). Approximately 75% of the Schoharie Creek watershed is located within the Catskill Park. In 1885, the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserves were established by the NY State Assembly. An 1894 amendment to the New York State Constitution (now Article 14) directs “the lands of the State now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not be leased, sold or Figure 2.1.2. The Manor Kill’s position within the Schoharie Basin. exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed” (NYS DEC, 2006). Manor Kill Management Plan 2.1.1 In 1904, the Catskill Park was designated, establishing a boundary or ‘blue line’ around the Forest Preserve and private land as well. Over the years the Catskill Park grew, and now comprises roughly 700,000 acres, about half of which is public Forest Preserve.
    [Show full text]
  • Catskill Park Advisory Committee Meeting Notes October 28, 2020 At
    Catskill Park Advisory Committee Meeting Notes October 28, 2020 at 10:00am Meeting held via Zoom Jeff Senterman welcomed all present and thanked everyone for taking part virtually. He went over a few housekeeping and technical details for the zoom meeting. Jeff also thanked so many stakeholders for submitting reports ahead of time. He said that this helps keep the meeting moving forward and ensures that information that groups want to get out, gets out to all CPAC members. Kathy Nolan mentioned a new group – the Catskill Strategic Planning Advisory Group (CAG) and noted that the group should be added to the agenda. Jeff noted that the new Catskill Rec plan is now available for download on the Catskill Watershed Corporation’s website (https://cwconline.org/catskill-recreation-plan/). Public comments that were submitted have been included and addressed in the final. Updates: FPAC Update: Peter Frank apologized for the technical difficulties at FPAC. All felt it was challenging and using Webex was “a challenge at best.” Discussing one possibility as maybe having an FPAC member host a zoom meeting – as the state must use Webex, but a guest could host using zoom. Jeff S. offered assistance. NYSDEC Update: Peter Frank provided updates from Central Office. Discussed at CPAC when first announced via the Governor’s 2020 state of the state address, the Catskills region is now convening a group to look at Catskill issues with regard to increased visitation and heavy use (the CAG). Many people were considered for representation on this group, it was then narrowed down to a manageable size.
    [Show full text]
  • Signal Knob Northern Massanutten Mountain Catback Mountain Browns Run Southern Massanutten Mountain Five Areas of Around 45,000 Acres on the Lee the West
    Sherman Bamford To: [email protected] <[email protected] cc: Sherman Bamford <[email protected]> > Subject: NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage draft multi-species habitat conservation plan comments - attachments 2 12/13/2011 03:32 PM Sherman Bamford Forests Committee Chair Virginia Chapter – Sierra Club P.O. Box 3102 Roanoke, Va. 24015 [email protected] (540) 343-6359 December 13, 2011 Regional Director, Midwest Region Attn: Lisa Mandell U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990 Bloomington, MN 55437-1458 Email: [email protected] Dear Ms. Mandell: On behalf of the Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club, the following are attachments to our previously submitted comments on the the NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage (“NiSource”) draft multi-species habitat conservation plan (“HCP”) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (“Service”) draft environmental impact statement (“EIS”). Draft of Virginia Mountain Treasures For descriptions and maps only. The final version was published in 2008. Some content may have changed between 2007 and 2008. Sherman Bamford Sherman Bamford PO Box 3102 Roanoke, Va. 24015-1102 (540) 343-6359 [email protected] Virginia’s Mountain Treasures ART WORK DRAWING The Unprotected Wildlands of the George Washington National Forest A report by the Wilderness Society Cover Art: First Printing: Copyright by The Wilderness Society 1615 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202)-843-9453 Wilderness Support Center 835 East Second Avenue Durango, CO 81302 (970) 247-8788 Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to protect America’s wilderness and to develop a nation- wide network of wild lands through public education, scientific analysis, and advocacy.
    [Show full text]
  • Scenic Landforms of Virginia
    Vol. 34 August 1988 No. 3 SCENIC LANDFORMS OF VIRGINIA Harry Webb . Virginia has a wide variety of scenic landforms, such State Highway, SR - State Road, GWNF.R(T) - George as mountains, waterfalls, gorges, islands, water and Washington National Forest Road (Trail), JNFR(T) - wind gaps, caves, valleys, hills, and cliffs. These land- Jefferson National Forest Road (Trail), BRPMP - Blue forms, some with interesting names such as Hanging Ridge Parkway mile post, and SNPMP - Shenandoah Rock, Devils Backbone, Striped Rock, and Lovers Leap, National Park mile post. range in elevation from Mt. Rogers at 5729 feet to As- This listing is primarily of those landforms named on sateague and Tangier islands near sea level. Two nat- topographic maps. It is hoped that the reader will advise ural lakes occur in Virginia, Mountain Lake in Giles the Division of other noteworthy landforms in the st& County and Lake Drummond in the City of Chesapeake. that are not mentioned. For those features on private Gaps through the mountains were important routes for land always obtain the owner's permission before vis- early settlers and positions for military movements dur- iting. Some particularly interesting features are de- ing the Civil War. Today, many gaps are still important scribed in more detail below. locations of roads and highways. For this report, landforms are listed alphabetically Dismal Swamp (see Chesapeake, City of) by county or city. Features along county lines are de- The Dismal Swamp, located in southeastern Virginia, scribed in only one county with references in other ap- is about 10 to 11 miles wide and 15 miles long, and propriate counties.
    [Show full text]
  • The Catskill Canister Volume 52 Number 2 April - June 2019
    The Catskill Canister Volume 52 Number 2 April - June 2019 View from Twin. Photo by Jason Pelton, #3013 W1211 In this issue: President's Column Trail Mix: News and Notes from the Club Winter Weekend recap A Road Less Traveled... The Catskill 200 Camping with Children Did you know? The Catskill Adventure Patch Catskill Park Day 2019 A year spent climbing Remembering Father Ray Donahue Wildflowers - readers' favorite spots Fond memories of the Otis Elevator Race Nettles - A forager's delight Conservation Corner Annual Dinner announcement Hike Schedule Member lists Editor's Notes 1 Spathe and Spadix The President’s Column by Heather Rolland When the Catskill 3500 Club was created, our mission – to promote hiking the high peaks of the Catskills, to promote social interaction among Catskill high peak hikers, and to support conservation of these places – filled a void. In a world with no internet and thus no social media, helping hikers connect with each other was a valued and needed service. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my decade or so of involvement with this club, it’s that the only thing hikers enjoy more than hiking is talking about hiking! Sharing war stories, trading bushwhack routes, and waxing euphoric about views… hikers, it would seem to me, love the replay with the like-minded as much as they love the adventure itself. But things have changed, and now that camaraderie is available in spades via social media. Leave No Trace is a national not-for-profit environmental organization on the frontlines of dealing with the good, the bad, and the ugly of managing the immense current upsurge in popularity of hiking and outdoor recreation.
    [Show full text]
  • Geographic Names
    GEOGRAPHIC NAMES CORRECT ORTHOGRAPHY OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES ? REVISED TO JANUARY, 1911 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1911 PREPARED FOR USE IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE BY THE UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD WASHINGTON, D. C, JANUARY, 1911 ) CORRECT ORTHOGRAPHY OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES. The following list of geographic names includes all decisions on spelling rendered by the United States Geographic Board to and including December 7, 1910. Adopted forms are shown by bold-face type, rejected forms by italic, and revisions of previous decisions by an asterisk (*). Aalplaus ; see Alplaus. Acoma; township, McLeod County, Minn. Abagadasset; point, Kennebec River, Saga- (Not Aconia.) dahoc County, Me. (Not Abagadusset. AQores ; see Azores. Abatan; river, southwest part of Bohol, Acquasco; see Aquaseo. discharging into Maribojoc Bay. (Not Acquia; see Aquia. Abalan nor Abalon.) Acworth; railroad station and town, Cobb Aberjona; river, IVIiddlesex County, Mass. County, Ga. (Not Ackworth.) (Not Abbajona.) Adam; island, Chesapeake Bay, Dorchester Abino; point, in Canada, near east end of County, Md. (Not Adam's nor Adams.) Lake Erie. (Not Abineau nor Albino.) Adams; creek, Chatham County, Ga. (Not Aboite; railroad station, Allen County, Adams's.) Ind. (Not Aboit.) Adams; township. Warren County, Ind. AJjoo-shehr ; see Bushire. (Not J. Q. Adams.) Abookeer; AhouJcir; see Abukir. Adam's Creek; see Cunningham. Ahou Hamad; see Abu Hamed. Adams Fall; ledge in New Haven Harbor, Fall.) Abram ; creek in Grant and Mineral Coun- Conn. (Not Adam's ties, W. Va. (Not Abraham.) Adel; see Somali. Abram; see Shimmo. Adelina; town, Calvert County, Md. (Not Abruad ; see Riad. Adalina.) Absaroka; range of mountains in and near Aderhold; ferry over Chattahoochee River, Yellowstone National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • HEP Habitat Status Report 2001.Pdf
    New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program Habitat Workgroup ;1 regional partnership of federal, state, interstate, and local agencies, citizens, and scientists working together to protect and restore the habitat and living resources of the estuary, its tributaries, and the New York/Nc•F]ersey Bight City of New York/Parks & Recreation Natural Resources Group Rudolph W. Giuliani, Maym Henry J. Stem, Commissioner Marc A. Matsil, Chief, Natllfal Resources Group Chair, Habitat Workgroup, NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program Status Report Sponsors National Pish and Wildlife Foundation City of New York/Parks & Recreation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey City Parks Foundation HydroQual, Inc. Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. Lawler, Matusky & Skelly Engineers, LLP This document is approved by the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Prowam Policr Committee. The Policy Committee's membership includes the U.S. linvironmental Protection !lgency, U.S. ,lrmr Corps of!ingineers, New York State Department of nnvimnmental Conservation, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York Local Government Representative (New York C'i~1· Dep;~rtment of Enl'imnmentnl Protection), Newjcrsey lJ>enl Government Rcpresentati1·e (Newark V?atershed Conservation and De,·elopment Corporation), and a Rcprcsent;JtiFe of the Citizens/Scientific and Technical Advisory Committees. Funds for this project were pnwided through settlement funds from the National Pish and \Vildlif(: Foundation. April 2001 Cover: Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). North Brother Island. Bronx Opposite: Pelham Bay Park, Bronx New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program Habitat Workgroup 2001 Status Report Table of Contents 4 Introduction 8 Section 1: Acquisition and Restoration Priorities 9 I.
    [Show full text]
  • 1967 Roster of Forest Fire Protective Force
    ROSTER OT FOREST TIRE PROIECTIVE TORCE TABLE OF CONIENTS County Page County Page Albany .................. 2l Oneida .................. 13 Allegany 8 Onondaga 7 Broome .,.............. 6 Ontario 8 Cattaraugus .......... 10 Orange .................. 24 Caluga 7' Oswego ................ 11 Chautauqua .......... 10 Otsego .................. 5 Chemung 8 Putnam ................ 26 Chenango 6 Rensselaer ............ 21 Clinton .................. 14 Rockland .............. 24 Columbia .............. 2l St. Lawrence ........ 12 Cortland 7 Saratoga ................ 19 Delaware 4 Schoharie 5 Dutchess .............. 26 Schuyler 9 Erie ...................... 10 Steuben 9 Essex .................... 14 Sullivan ................ 24 Franklin ................ 15 Tioga .................... 7 Fulton .................. 17 Greene .,....,..,,..,.... 2l Tompkins 7 Hamilton .............. 17 Ulster .................... 25 Herkimer .............. 13 Warren ................ 1,9 Jefferson ................ 11 Washington .......... 20 Lewis .................... 11 Westchester .......... 26 Livingston 8 Wyoming .............. 10 Madison 6 Yates .................... 9 Montgomery ........ 5 Sections from Conservation Law Pertain to Forest Fires 27 Sections frorn Rules & Regulations of the Conservation Department 3V Radio Directory .................. 39 MONTGOMERY Folest Rmgers: ROSTER OF FORESI FIRE W. Fulton (R.D. 1, Richmondyille)...,....G. Hamm Breakabeen TA6-3724 PROTECIIVE TORCE OTSEGO COUNTY Forest Ranger: Oneonta .........,D. L. Seacord July l,1967 otrserver:
    [Show full text]
  • Wappingers Creek Watershed Management Plan
    Natural Resource Management Plan For the Wappinger Creek Watershed Prepared by the: Dutchess County Environmental Management Council Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District Wappinger Creek Watershed Planning Committee Dutchess County Water Quality Strategy Committee With assistance from: Marist College Institute of Ecosystem Studies Dutchess County Department of Health Mid-Hudson Chapter of Trout Unlimited Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Land Use Law Center at Pace University School of Law YRDC-AmeriCorps Glynwood Center ImpAct, LLC Primary support was provided by: United States Environmental Protection Agency Wetlands Demonstration Grant Under Section 104 (b) (3) of the Clean Water Act NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Watershed Planning Grant under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act Rural New York Grant Program Dutchess County Staff for the project: Barbara Kendall, Executive Director, Dutchess County Environmental Management Council Edwin Hoxsie, Executive Director, Dutchess County Soil & Water Conservation District Dave Burns, Watershed Coordinator, DC Environmental Management Council Dalene Varney, Watershed Technician DC Environmental Management Council Bernadette Goebel, Program Assistant, DC Environmental Management Council Sarah Love, GIS Project Manager, DC Environmental Management Council Cara Stackpoole, GIS Technician, DC Environmental Management Council Meredith Hummel, Educator, DC Soil & Water Conservation District Amy DeGaetano, AEM Coordinator, DC Soil & Water Conservation District
    [Show full text]
  • Capital Projects Budget
    ________________________________________________________________________STATE OF NEW YORK 9504--B IN ASSEMBLY January 16, 2018 ___________ A BUDGET BILL, submitted by the Governor pursuant to article seven of the Constitution -- read once and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommit- ted to said committee AN ACT making appropriations for the support of government CAPITAL PROJECTS BUDGET The______________________________________________________________________ People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly,_________________________ do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. a) The several amounts specified in this chapter for capi- 2 tal projects, or so much thereof as shall be necessary to accomplish the 3 purpose of the appropriations, are appropriated by comprehensive 4 construction programs (hereinafter referred to by the abbreviation CCP), 5 purposes, and projects designated by the appropriations, and authorized 6 to be made available as hereinafter provided to the respective public 7 officers; such appropriations shall be deemed to provide all costs 8 necessary and pertinent to accomplish the intent of the appropriations 9 and are appropriated in accordance with the provisions of section 93 of 10 the state finance law. 11 b) Any amounts specified in this chapter for advances for capital 12 projects, or so much thereof
    [Show full text]
  • Capital Projects Budget
    ________________________________________________________________________STATE OF NEW YORK 9004--B IN ASSEMBLY January 13, 2016 ___________ A BUDGET BILL, submitted by the Governor pursuant to article seven of the Constitution -- read once and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommit- ted to said committee AN ACT making appropriations for the support of government CAPITAL PROJECTS BUDGET The______________________________________________________________________ People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly,_________________________ do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. a) The several amounts specified in this chapter for capi- 2 tal projects, or so much thereof as shall be necessary to accomplish the 3 purpose of the appropriations, are appropriated by comprehensive 4 construction programs (hereinafter referred to by the abbreviation CCP), 5 purposes, and projects designated by the appropriations, and authorized 6 to be made available as hereinafter provided to the respective public 7 officers; such appropriations shall be deemed to provide all costs 8 necessary and pertinent to accomplish the intent of the appropriations 9 and are appropriated in accordance with the provisions of section 93 of 10 the state finance law. 11 b) Any amounts specified in this chapter for advances for capital 12 projects, or so much thereof
    [Show full text]
  • The Catskill Canister Volume 53 Number 4 October - December 2020
    The Catskill Canister Volume 53 Number 4 October - December 2020 Eastern Devil's Path from Hurricane Ledge. Photo by Tony Versandi #1488 W637 The newsletter will print best if downloaded as a pdf file directly from the Club's site In this issue: President's Column Trail Mix: News and Notes from the Club The Diogenes Challenge An Ode to Rocky SPRUCE? FIR? BOTH? NEITHER? WHY A Friend of the Mountains Is a Friend of Mine This Fall, Take the Ones Less Traveled A Perfect Time in Schoharie County...for The Scary 19 In Memoriam Hike Schedule New Member Lists Editor's Notes Attention all members in good standing! Since the Club was not able to have an annual meeting and our by-laws require the election of officers yearly, the 3500 Club Nominating Committee is asking for your help by responding to this notice. The Club normally votes for our officers at the annual meeting, but, because of COVID-19, New York State law allows us to conduct a mail in vote. We need your timely response by September 30th to stay in compliance with our by-laws. Thank you in advance! As this issue of The Canister went to press, all members in good standing (i.e., a member who is either a life member or is up to date with their dues) have been already notified of the vote. As a reminder, the ballot form can be found here and your responses should be forwarded to this address. Thank you for your timely responses! 1 Trail Spice The President’s Column by Maria Bedo-Calhoun Well…here we are approaching the fall and still adjusting to these different times! I think no one will be surprised that the Annual Dinner is still on hold.
    [Show full text]