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News from The NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation
For more information: Michael Fraser, (518) 402-8000
STATE RELEASES DRAFT POLICY
FOR ATV ACCESS ON PUBLIC LANDS
Public Encouraged to Comment on Initiative
to Help Manage ATV Access on State Lands
ALBANY, NY -- (03/16/2005; 1430)(EIS) -- New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today
announced the release of a Draft Commissioner's
Policy for public all terrain vehicle (ATV) access
to recreational programs on State-owned land.
The proposed policy will ensure that ATV access
on these lands will conform to the State Vehicle
and Traffic Law, the Environmental Conservation
Law, DEC rules and regulations and the Adirondack
and Catskill State Land Master Plans; will not facilitate
trespass on private lands; and will not cause environmental
degradation.
"The development of this policy represents another
significant step New York State is taking to ensure
the continued protection of public lands," Commissioner
Sheehan said. "This policy is important to ensure
that ATV access in these areas is consistent with
State law and policy. As the stewards of more than
4 million acres of land across New York State, we
are committed to managing these public land resources
in a responsible manner so that they may be enjoyed
by this, and future generations of New Yorkers.
We encourage the public to attend the upcoming meetings
and provide comments to the Department to help shape
the final policy."
The draft policy establishes that ATV riding
is not a program offered on public lands owned in
fee by DEC [NYSORVA emphasis added]. It recognizes,
however, that ATV use is one of several possible
means that the public may utilize to access recreational
opportunities on public and easement lands that
are deemed appropriate for such use and are open
to public ATV access without conflict with the State
Vehicle and Traffic Law.
The purpose of this policy is to provide DEC
staff with a set of criteria for evaluating the
suitability of roads on these public lands for public
ATV access. The policy also establishes that the
determination to open any roads for public ATV access
will be made through the Unit Management Planning
(UMP) process for Forest Preserves, reforestation,
multiple use and unique areas, and pursuant to the
terms of each conservation easement and subsequent
Recreational Management Plans that are developed
to govern public recreation use on those lands.
In evaluating whether a road or trail should
be opened or remain open to the public use of ATVs,
a number of criteria will be evaluated, including:
conformity with the State Vehicle and Traffic Law,
the Environmental Conservation Law, DEC rules and
regulations and the Adirondack and Catskill State
Land Master Plans, impacts on natural resources,
compatibility with other public use, public safety,
and illegal off-road ATV use.
The public is encouraged to comment on the draft
policy and DEC will receive all public comment until
May 27, 2005. Copies of the proposed policy are
available on the DEC website at
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/index.html
or by contacting Robert Davies, Director, Division
of Lands and Forests, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany,
NY 12233, (518) 402-9405. A chart with public meeting
dates and locations is attached.
As part of his 2005-06 Executive Budget, Governor
Pataki has proposed legislation to provide additional
funds for public education, enforcement and development
of ATV trail systems on private lands and State
conservation easement lands, consistent with this
ATV policy that is being developed by DEC.
DEC DRAFT ATV POLICY PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULE
APRIL 4 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Guilderland Town Hall -- 5209 Western Avenue
(Route 20) Albany, NY (About 5 miles West of Thruway
Exit 24 on Route 20, just after Hannaford on the
right.)
APRIL 13 (7 TO 10 P.M.)
Prodell Middle School -- 100 Randall Road Shoreham,
NY (Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 68 North
[William Floyd Parkway]. Proceed North to Route
25A West. Turn left at Randall Road (south). The
school is on your right.)
APRIL 26 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
H.C. Williams High School Auditorium -- 99 State
Street, Canton, NY (About 1/2 mile off Route 11
on State Street, in the Village of Canton.)
APRIL 27 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Tupper Lake High School Auditorium -- Chaney
Avenue, Tupper Lake, NY (Just off Route 3 & 30 in
the Village of Tupper Lake.)
APRIL 28 (6 TO 9 P.M.)
Adirondack Community College -- coville Center
Auditorium 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY (Take the
Northway to Exit 19, take Aviation Rd. through Route
9 and then Quaker Rd. intersections, travel about
1.5 miles, turn left onto Bay Rd. The school is
on the right. Use the North entrance.)
MAY 2 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Radisson Hotel Grand Ballroom -- 200 Genesse
Street, Utica, NY (Travel from the Utica Thruway
Exit South on Genesse Street.)
MAY 3 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Erie County Community College - South Campus
-- Building 5, Room 5102 4041 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY (Take the Thruway to Exit 56 and
turn left on Milestrip Road. Turn right on McKinley
Parkway and then turn left on Southwestern Blvd.
The campus entrance will be on the right.)
MAY 4 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Rochester Museum and Science Center -- 657 East
Avenue, Rochester, NY (Take Route 490 to Monroe
Avenue to Goodman or Culver Street then to East
Avenue.)
MAY 5 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
State Fairgrounds, Martha Eddy Room -- 581 State
Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY (Take 690 West to Exit
7 [Fairgrounds Exit], turn right onto State Fair
Blvd., enter through Gate 2, turn left, go about
2,000 feet, turn right to park, the Martha Eddy
Room is on your left.)
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