A Draft Unit Management Plan for 14 state forests located in Chautauqua County is now available for public review. The public is invited to submit input on the draft plan that will guide future management of state forest lands in Chautauqua County and provide for healthy, sustainable and biologically diverse forest ecosystems.
The Chautauqua Unit State Forests include 17,199 acres of forest land in the towns of Chautauqua, Sherman, Clymer, Harmony, North Harmony, Busti, Stockton, Charlotte, Cherry Creek, Gerry and Ellington. Fourteen state forest properties are included under 12 forest names in the unit: Boutwell Hill State Forest, North Harmony State Forest, Mount Pleasant State Forest, Panama State Forest, Chautauqua Gorge State Forest, Stockton State Forest, Brokenstraw State Forest, Harris Hill State Forest, Hatch Creek State Forest, Whalen Memorial State Forest, Hill Higher State Forest and Wellman State Forest.
New horse and bike trails are among the new recreation opportunities proposed in the draft plan. The draft plan will soon be available for download on DEC's website at dec.ny.gov/lands/22556.html. Copies are also available in electronic format on compact disc and may be requested by calling 363-2052.
Public input on the plan is invited at an upcoming open house that will be held in conjunction with the Chautauqua County Greenway Plan Celebration. Information on the Chautauqua County Greenway Plan can be found at planningchautauqua.com/?q=content/greenways-plan.
The open house will be Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Mayville Park, West Lake Road, Mayville.
The purpose of the session is to provide information about the Chautauqua State Forests Unit and its history, ecology and current uses including forest product sales and recreational use, and to exchange ideas about long-term forest management.
Public input gathered by mail or email will be used as DEC works to finalize a UMP for the Chautauqua State Forests Unit. Public comments on the Chautauqua Unit Draft UMP can be emailed to r9ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us or sent to the address below. Public comments must be received by Oct. 15. Questions or comments regarding the Draft UMP can be addressed to: Keith Carrow, NYS DEC, Division of Lands and Forests, 178 Point Drive, North Dunkirk, NY 14048 or by calling 363-2052.