DEC plan intends to bolster tourism in Essex Chain Lakes Complex

ELIZABETHTOWN — Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced an extensive plan to bolster tourism in the Essex Chain Lakes Complex on Thursday, June 11. The Complex is located in the Central Adirondack towns of Minerva, Newcomb and Indian Lake, and it includes the Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area, the Pine Lake Primitive Area and portions of the Blue Mountain and Vanderwacker MountainWild Forests. The eight lakes comprising the Essex Chain Lakes are the namesake and main attraction of the Complex, which also includes many other scenic and natural features, including the ten miles on the Hudson River and four on the Cedar river as well as 18 other bodies of water totaling 785 acres and ranging in size from the three-acre Chub Pond to the 216-acre Third Lake. The State of New York acquired this land from the Nature Conservancy as a part of the historic Finch Acquisition, and since then the area has seen a significant increase in economic activity, Martens said. "The proposed Plan helps fulfill the Governor's goal that the Essex Chain Lakes become a tourist destination and an economic engine for the towns that host this magnificent natural resource," he added. Current recreational opportunities include paddling, fishing, camping, hunting, horseback riding, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, all of which stand to benefit from the changes proposed in the DEC plan. THE PLAN Key proposals in the Draft Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) include: · Establishing a system of trails for biking and equestrian use; · Extending the Upper Hudson Ski Loop to the Ord Road and ultimately to the Town of Newcomb; · Designating routes for public motor vehicle access, including parking; · Designating administrative access routes throughout the Complex to allow for the maintenance of bridges and trails; · Establishing a community connection, multiple use, trail which connects Indian Lake to Minerva, over the Cedar River and the Hudson River on the Polaris bridge; · Constructing a bridge over the Cedar River to provide a route for four season recreation including hiking, biking, horse riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; · Providing access for persons with disabilities to a tent site and waterway access between Fourth and Fifth lake and designated campsites along the Cornell Road, Camp Six Road and Chain Lakes Road (South); · Enhancing paddling opportunities, including providing additional canoe carries between the Chain of Lakes and along the Hudson River; · Designating additional camping opportunities including the placement of lean-to's within the Complex area; · Managing continued floatplane use at designated tent sites on First and Pine Lakes; · Maintaining 2.5 miles of public motor vehicle roads for access and camping during big game hunting season; and · A proposal to maintain the historic farmhouse at the Outer Gooley and evaluate potential, future administrative uses until a final disposition for the structure is determined. PUBLIC INPUT The DEC will accept public comments on the proposed Draft Plan/DEIS until July 27, and intends to hold public hearings in the towns of Newcomb and Indian Lake to discuss details of the proposal and gather public input. The hearings will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Newcomb Central School, and on Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m. at the Indian Lake Theater in Indian Lake. These meetings will provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the proposed management actions in the Draft Plan/DEIS and comment on the proposals. This plan serves not only to invite tourists "Consistent with the Governor's request that stakeholders come together for the overall benefit of the Adirondack Park, this proposed management plan would greatly improve access for people of all ages and abilities and provide additional outdoor recreational opportunities, while also protecting the natural treasures that draw people to this area," Martens said. The Draft Plan/DEIS will be posted on the DEC website on Friday, June 12, at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/97474.html. Copies of the Draft Plan/DEIS will also be available June 12 on CD at the following locations: DEC's headquarters in Albany, NY (5th floor); DEC Region 5 Headquarters in Ray Brook NY; DEC Region 5 Office in Warrensburg, NY; and town hall offices in Indian Lake, Minerva, and Newcomb. Public comments should be sent by July 27 to Corrie O'Dea, Senior Forester, NYSDEC Lands & Forests, 232 Golf Course Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885 or e-mailed to R5.UMP@dec.ny.gov.

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DEC plan intends to bolster tourism in Essex Chain Lakes Complex

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