New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos joined state and local community leaders to announce initiatives planned for the 2022 outdoor recreation season to protect public safety and promote sustainable recreation in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve. Many of these actions, bolstered by $8 million from the State Environmental Protection Fund specifically for Adirondack and Catskill visitor safety and wilderness protection in the recently enacted 2022-23 State Budget, support a comprehensive strategy to improve safety, sustainability, and equitable access of those enjoying the outdoors during the upcoming warm weather months.

New York State continues to implement the recommendations from the High Peaks Advisory Group and interim recommendations from the Catskills group to encourage sustainable use in the Adirondacks and Catskills. This year’s enacted budget includes $600,000 in new funding from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for DEC’s Visitor Use Management framework that will serve as a tool to guide future management and stewardship decision-making for the Forest Preserve. DEC will release a request for proposals to support visitor use management efforts in June. In addition, DEC is enhancing its actions to improve the user experience and prevent trash and other human impacts on State lands, including:

Both the High Peaks and Catskills Advisory Groups identified increased visitor education as a critical component of sustainable visitor use management. Among the education and awareness efforts, including those listed above, DEC is implementing in 2022 are:

To ensure New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the State’s Forest Preserve for generations to come, DEC is doubling the size of the EPF-funded contract with Tahawus Trails to perform sustainable trail work in the Adirondacks and Catskills. These contractors and the State’s ongoing trail building efforts will improve more public lands through trail maintenance and similar stewardship activities that encourage responsible use of the State’s lands and waters.

DEC is undertaking a review of trail construction guidance and policies in light of the Court of Appeals decision and late last year formed a trail stewardship working group that is engaging stakeholders to develop draft policies which will ultimately be presented to the public through a full and transparent public comment process.

Last fall in the Adirondacks, a major sustainable trails project at Mt. Van Hoevenberg East was completed and looking towards this year, Tahawus Trails’ Catskills-based projects will include improvement of tread and drainage on multi-use trails in Elm Ridge Wild Forest and continued enhancements at Kaaterskill Falls, and work on the Cascade/Mt. Van Hoevenberg trails and several new footbridges in the Independence River Wild Forest in the Adirondacks. This project is also funded through the Environmental Protection Fund.

Many of these projects and other initiatives to bolster sustainable use are funded through the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Among the many environmental victories in the enacted 2022-23 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders increased the EPF to $400 million, the highest-ever level of funding in the program’s history. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers.

Photo of Essex County hiker shuttle by Tim Rowland

Information attributed to NYSDEC is taken from press releases and news announcements from New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation.

So, “to protect public safety and promote sustainable recreation” their big answer appears to be to eliminate access for many people. I wonder how much support for protection of the Adirondacks they will lose when families are turned away from their favorite hikes? I for one am not supporting any entity or organization that is in favor of the AMR hiking prevention program. Is any reporter asking why there is no shuttle bus to the AMR trailhead? It is a perfect, off-road turnaround that would promote traffic safety and recreational use.

“DEC is hiring 29 Assistant Forest Rangers to assist Forest Rangers and provide on-the-trail stewardship in areas of high use…”

I don’t know if this is a typical number of hirees, but should certainly be helpful. Does anyone know their expected interaction with the public? Are they always boots on the ground, or do they spend much of the day responding by vehicle to various dispatches like Rangers? Do they spend much time in the backcountry, or mostly trailheads? What authority do they have? Just curious.

Perhaps a short article by AA featuring these temporary workers and their responsibilities and accomplishments would be illuminating. Hint, hint…

These efforts should help Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, along with the western mountain states, get more visitors for outdoor recreation…🙄

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