New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

DEC

DEC, Private Club Piloting High Peaks Hiker Reservation System

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Crowded conditions along Rte. 73, High Peaks Wilderness region. Photo by Ken RimanyThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Ausable Club have announced a pilot reservation system to access the Club’s private lands, the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). Since 1978 the State has held a conservation easement on Club/Reserve lands which allows limited access to some of the more popular places in the Adirondack Park’s High Peaks Wilderness Area.

A press release from DEC cited “reliable access” and public safety along Route 73 among the reasons for the change. The pilot program is slated to run for three years according to DEC. [Read more…] about DEC, Private Club Piloting High Peaks Hiker Reservation System

New Trout Stream Regulations Go Into Effect April 1st

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Brook Trout provided by DECNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized new trout stream regulations that will take effect on April 1st, 2021.

The new rules eliminate more than 20 types of special regulations associated with trout stream reaches, reducing 26 regulations to four. [Read more…] about New Trout Stream Regulations Go Into Effect April 1st

NYS Wildlife Management Area Regulation Changes Being Planned

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Wildlife Management Unit Boundary MapThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a draft proposal for public comment that would update regulations governing public use of the State’s vast network of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).

New York State has more than 120 WMAs containing nearly 250,000 acres, including 124,000 acres of forests and grasslands and 53,000 acres of wetlands. DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife manages an additional 38,000 acres of land, including Unique Areas and Multiple Use Areas, for a total of approximately 150 areas that thousands of New Yorkers visit and enjoy each year. [Read more…] about NYS Wildlife Management Area Regulation Changes Being Planned

Grants Available For Great Lakes Youth Projects

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NY Sea GrantNew York Sea Grant, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), has announced funding is now available for projects that engage youth under the age of 21 and address local watershed challenges and New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda priorities.

A total of $200,000, up to $25,000 per project, in New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants is expected to be awarded. [Read more…] about Grants Available For Great Lakes Youth Projects

Flatrock Mtn Easement Draft Recreation Plan Released

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proposed Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement mapThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced they are seeking public comment on the draft Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement.

The 511-acre easement tract is located southwest of Old Forge in the town of Webb, Herkimer County, between State Route 28 and Middle Branch Moose River. [Read more…] about Flatrock Mtn Easement Draft Recreation Plan Released

New Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map

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Trout Stream Fishing Map courtesy DECTo provide additional information about how and where anglers can find their preferred type of trout angling opportunities, DEC is launching an interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map to provide information about stocking, fishing access, season dates, and regulations on the DECinfo Locator. [Read more…] about New Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map

Climate-Adaptive Design Opportunity for A Hudson Waterfront Community

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East Strand waterfront design proposal along the Rondout CreekThere is an opportunity for a Hudson riverfront municipality to host the Cornell University Department of Landscape Architecture’s Climate-adaptive Design studio during Fall 2021.

The studio links Cornell University students in landscape architecture with communities to explore design alternatives for more climate resilient and connected waterfront areas. It’s a collaboration between DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and the Cornell University Department of Landscape Architecture. [Read more…] about Climate-Adaptive Design Opportunity for A Hudson Waterfront Community

Rangers Respond: Brush Fire, Buck Mt, High Tor, Hudson Highlands & More

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forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. 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 Rangers Respond: Brush Fire, Buck Mt, High Tor, Hudson Highlands & More