COVENTRY – Over the last decade, the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation has been grouping DEC-controlled state lands into units and looking at ways to manage them more effectively. On Wednesday night, DEC Plan author Robert Off led a meeting in Coventry to discuss a draft plan for the management of 5,446 acres of land in the area.
The Chenango Trail Unit Management Plan discusses a unit of land including the Coventry State Forest, Bobell Hill State Forest, Beaver Flow State Forest, Bumps Creek State Forest and the Oak Ridge State Forest. The properties are found in Coventry and the villages of Oxford, Greene, Bainbridge and Afton.
“The draft plan was done to try to get an overview of the general direction of management the state wants to do over a 10- to 20-year period,” said Off.
According to the DEC web site, “The Unit Management Plan addresses such issues as recreation, timber management, the watershed, wildlife, mineral resources, accessibility, bio-diverstity and public information.”
Some changes are proposed for the unit lands. The UMP calls for informational kiosks to be installed at each of the state forests included in the unit. Parking areas will be constructed at each location. Additional snowmobile trails could be added, as well as an ATV trail accessible to disabled persons. A hiking trail may also be added.
In addition, a wildlife monitoring effort that includes public cooperation may be implemented. The DEC hopes to implement a Management Indicator Species concept which would monitor wildlife habitats within the unit area. The DEC has expressed a desire that public bird watching groups would take part in the monitoring process.
According to Off, it generally takes about a year from the time the draft plan is presented until it goes into effect. Off said this plan is pretty routine compared to others the DEC has comprised. “We’re sensitive to any environmental issue that is happening in the forest,” Off said. “As each plan comes out, we build on the successes or failures of the others.”
Wednesday night’s meeting boasted a large turnout, and most of the people in attendance seemed to be pleased with the proposal. Individuals suggested better access and more recreational possibilities for the state land, including more trails, and clearance for ATV riders to utilize the land – currently only disabled individuals are allowed to use ATVs on state land. Other individuals stressed the importance of clear cutting sections of trees – including red pine – that had grown to maturity. The draft UMP calls for some timber harvesting, but because most of the red pine have grown to maturity, they stand more of a risk of becoming damaged due to high winds and more susceptible to insect disease. Other community members suggested that portions of the forests be preserved for old growth forests.
In addition to the comments of the community members, town officials were also on hand to discuss working with the state for better access to the forests and more parking, which they said might increase area tourism.
“The comments were mostly positive, as was our hope,” Off said.
Comments about the UMP will be accepted through Oct. 26. For more information about the UMP, visit www.dec.ny.gov/lands/22570.html or call the Sherburne office of the DEC at 674-4036. Comments can be discussed over the phone or submitted via e-mail to reg7info@gw.dec.state.ny.us.