New York State Forest Rangers had another busy week across the state responding to a plane crash near the Adirondack Rail Trail, several wilderness rescues, and wildfires in the Adirondack High Peaks and in Stony Creek. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
ATVs
Tickets Issued for Hunting in Long Island County Park, ATVs in State Park
On January 20th, NYS Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) DeRose and Francis responded to a call from a complainant who reported two subjects had killed a whitetail deer at Southaven County Park in Yaphank in Suffolk County on Long Island where deer hunting is prohibited. [Read more…] about Tickets Issued for Hunting in Long Island County Park, ATVs in State Park
32 Tickets Issued in Oneida Lake Ice Fishing Raid
On February 8, 2025, nine NYS Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) conducting ice fishing compliance checks on Oneida Lake in Oneida and Oswego counties issued 32 tickets for a variety of crimes. [Read more…] about 32 Tickets Issued in Oneida Lake Ice Fishing Raid
NY Sate Seeks Another Expansion of Motor Vehicles in Adirondack Park
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is proposing amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (Master Plan) that will for the first time open Wilderness, Primitive and Canoe areas to cars, trucks, ATVs, golf carts, Segways and other motorized vehicles for persons with disabilities. According to Adirondack Park preservation advocates Protect the Adirondacks, “the Americans With Disabilities Act does not require such drastic actions.”
APA is accepting public comments on the proposed changes until December 2, 2024. [Read more…] about NY Sate Seeks Another Expansion of Motor Vehicles in Adirondack Park
Bearing Responsibility for the State Land Master Plan
Former member of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and former chair of its State Land Committee, Dick Booth, offered this advice about the most significant, controversial legal issues facing APA during his time (2008-16): prioritize, anticipate, prepare, be transparent, and issue explanatory memoranda placing the matter in legal context and how the contemplated actions complied with the law: the APA Act or the State Land Master Plan. Booth argued that those memos should be publicly accessible.
In too many instances, Booth’s advice was ignored. [Read more…] about Bearing Responsibility for the State Land Master Plan
More Than A Dozen Rescue Missions Over Busy Fall Weekend in New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers launched more the a dozen rescue missions from Friday, October 3rd through Sunday, October 6th, bringing several unprepared and injured hikers out of New York’s back woods, locating a lost dog and fighting two wildfires. What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of these recent missions. [Read more…] about More Than A Dozen Rescue Missions Over Busy Fall Weekend in New York
Rangers Rescue Six Hikers, Four Paddlers & Four UTV Riders
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Six Hikers, Four Paddlers & Four UTV Riders
500-Mile Franklin County Multi-Use Trail Network Being Planned
Franklin County, NY, is proposing a 500-mile multi-use trail network for off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, bicycles, cross-county skiing, hiking, dog sleds, horseback riding and more. The network would connect to multi-use trail networks in St. Lawrence and Clinton Counties, creating a large regional trail network for ATV and UTV owners. [Read more…] about 500-Mile Franklin County Multi-Use Trail Network Being Planned
Reminder of Changes in New York State ATV Law
Now that spring is here ATV (all-terrain vehicles) and UTV (utility terrain vehicles) use will be increasing for recreation and work-related activities. A new law was passed in February of this year which increased the minimum age for operating these vehicles from 10 to 14. Additionally, the age of supervising young riders has increased to age 18 and they must possess an ATV safety certificate. [Read more…] about Reminder of Changes in New York State ATV Law
Forest Rangers Recover Bodies, Make Rescues, Fight Upstate Wildfire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Bodies, Make Rescues, Fight Upstate Wildfire
Rescuers Go Through Ice Responding To Snowmobile Accident
On Saturday, February 17 at about 10:35 am, a group of four snowmobilers were traveling southbound on Indian Lake in Hamilton County when the first rider in the group struck a 16-inch high-pressure crack. The rider and snowmobile were thrown 73 feet through the air before crashing to the ice, and rolling end over end. [Read more…] about Rescuers Go Through Ice Responding To Snowmobile Accident
Teens Rescued From Wilderness Area; Hunters Ticketed for Baiting Deer, Cutting Trees & ATVs
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Teens Rescued From Wilderness Area; Hunters Ticketed for Baiting Deer, Cutting Trees & ATVs
An Investigation of Motorized Incursions into Adirondack Wilderness
The dry language of the Adirondack Park Agency – Department of Environmental Conservation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning implementation of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan belies its contentious origins.
The MOU, first signed in 2003, updated in 2010, is found on the APA website. It has many “whereas” clauses, such as “WHEREAS, the AGENCY and the DEPARTMENT agree that it is in the interest of the State of New York to fully coordinate and integrate their respective program responsibilities as they pertain to the Adirondack Park for the good of the People of the State, State government, the Adirondack local governments, residents of the Park and Park visitors.” [Read more…] about An Investigation of Motorized Incursions into Adirondack Wilderness
Forest Rangers Recover Body; Make Rescues at Crane Mt; Adirondacks; Catskills; More
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Body; Make Rescues at Crane Mt; Adirondacks; Catskills; More
Forest Rangers Recover Body; Find Hiker Lost Overnight; Rescue Injured Hikers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Body; Find Hiker Lost Overnight; Rescue Injured Hikers
The Northwestern Adirondacks’ Grass River Complex & Lampson Falls
The Grass River Complex is located in the northwestern Adirondacks in the towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton and Fine in St. Lawrence County, and includes more than 125,000 acres of Adirondack Forest Preserve and Conservation Easement Lands. The complex is comprised of: [Read more…] about The Northwestern Adirondacks’ Grass River Complex & Lampson Falls
Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan Comments Sought
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comment on the draft Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan (UMP). The draft UMP includes six State forests — Hogsback, Popple Pond, Woodhull, Punkeyville, Black Creek, and Hinckley — as well as 24 separate parcels of detached Forest Preserve in Oneida and Herkimer counties and will guide management of these properties over the next 10 years. [Read more…] about Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan Comments Sought
Man Dies in ATV Crash in Upstate New York
On Sunday, July 2 at 5 pm, a New York State Forest Ranger, Environmental Conservation Officer, New York State Police, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, and Redfield Fire and Rescue responded to an ATV crash on Little John Drive near Blount Mills Drive in the town of Redfield, Oswego County.
[Read more…] about Man Dies in ATV Crash in Upstate New York
Adirondack Bills Advance in Legislative Session
Adirondack Park advocates are celebrating passage of three bills that would protect birds and bees from pesticides, protect native aquatic plants from invasive species, and deal with a violation of the New York State Constitution’s “forever wild” clause. [Read more…] about Adirondack Bills Advance in Legislative Session
ATV Minimum Age Bill Passes Both Houses
On Thursday, June 1st, the NYS Senate announced that it had granted final passage to bill S.2702/A.150 which would amend the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law to increase the minimum age for operating an all-terrain vehicle without adult supervision to 14 years of age. Current law allows children as young as 10 to operate an ATV alone. [Read more…] about ATV Minimum Age Bill Passes Both Houses