Tug Hill North UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN FINAL Towns of Harrisburg, Martinsburg, Montague, Pinckney, Lorraine, Rodman, Rutland and Worth Counties of Jefferson and Lewis March 2015 DIVISION OF LANDS AND FORESTS Bureau of State Land Management, Region 6 State Office Building 317 Washington Street Watertown, New York 13601-3787 www.dec.ny.gov INFORMATION ON THE UNIT STATE FOREST OVERVIEW Tug Hill North Unit Management Plan A planning unit consisting of 8 State Forests and 1 Wildlife Management Area, in Lewis and Jefferson Counties March 2015 Prepared by the Tug Hill North Unit Management Planning Team: Andrea Mercurio, Planner Fred Munk, Natural Resources Supervisor David Smith, Regional Forester Edwin Sykes, Forester Scott Glenn, Forestry Technician Jacob Buckingham, Seasonal Technician Brent Planty, Conservation Operations Supervisor I Andy MacDuff, Wildlife Biologist Russell McCullough, Fisheries Biologist Erik Latremore, Habitat Specialist Ranger Jennifer Snyder, NYS Forest Ranger Bruce Robinson, Real Property Supervisor Jerry Zaykoski, Minerals Geologist Stephen Litwiler, Public Information Officer Acknowledgments The Tug Hill North 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 for the information and review they provided: Tug Hill Commission, New York Audubon Society, Ruffed Grouse Society, Harrisburg Town Board, Martinsburg Town Board, Montague Town Board, Pinckney Town Board, Lorraine Town Board, Rodman Town Board, Rutland Town Board, Worth Town Board, Sno Pals Snowmobile Club, Adventure Outfitters and all the concerned public who made comments and recommendations in the plan. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands and Forests, Region 6 7327 State RT 812 Lowville, New York 13367 315-376-3521 http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/74515.html 3 INFORMATION ON THE UNIT STATE FOREST OVERVIEW 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 Tug Hill North 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. 4 INFORMATION ON THE UNIT STATE FOREST OVERVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS DEC’S MISSION .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 VISION STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 PREFACE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 STATE FOREST OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Legal Considerations ............................................................................................................................................ 8 MANAGEMENT PLANNING OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 8 Public Participation .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Strategic Plan for State Forest Management ....................................................................................................... 9 DEC’S MANAGEMENT APPROACH AND GOALS .................................................................................................................... 9 Forest Certification of State Forests ............................................................................................................... 9 Ecosystem Management Approach ................................................................................................................... 10 Ecosystem Management Strategies ................................................................................................................... 11 State Forest Management Goals ....................................................................................................................... 11 LOCATION MAP ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 INFORMATION ON THE TUG HILL NORTH UNIT ......................................................................................................... 14 STATE LANDS IN THE UNIT ............................................................................................................................................. 14 SOILS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Table I.B. – Soil Types ......................................................................................................................................... 16 WATER RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Major Streams, Rivers, Water Bodies and Wetlands ......................................................................................... 17 BIODIVERSITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Common Species ................................................................................................................................................ 20 HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE FORESTS ............................................................................................................................. 21 REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE AREAS .................................................................................................................................... 21 Habitat ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 At-Risk Species.................................................................................................................................................... 28 VISUAL RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 30 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES .............................................................................................................................. 32 History of the Unit .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Inventory of Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Archaeological Site Protection ........................................................................................................................... 33 Archaeological Research .................................................................................................................................... 33 REAL PROPERTY ........................................................................................................................................................... 34 Table I.G. - Boundary Lines ................................................................................................................................. 34 Exceptions and Deeded Restrictions................................................................................................................... 35 Encroachments ................................................................................................................................................... 36 Land Acquisition ................................................................................................................................................. 37 INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................................................