DEC - latest updates

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Recent Notices from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Balsam Lake Mountain - DEC worked diligently with Tahawus trails to replace the roof at the Beaver Meadow Lean-to in late May. In addition to the replacement of the lean-to roof, DEC also removed blowdowns and cleaned drains between Alder Lake and the Lean-to.

Stewards in the Catskills - DEC has partnered with several organizations to provide trailhead and mountaintop stewardship throughout the Catskills during the spring, summer and fall of 2022. Stewards will be provided through partnerships with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Catskill 3500 Club, and the Student Conservation Association. On the ground stewardship is an effective way to provide outreach and education to visitors of the Catskills.

Peekamoose Blue Hole - Permits are required to visit the Blue Hole, or to camp at the nearby campsites in the Peekamoose Valley from May 15th through September 15th of each year. Permits can be acquired through the Reserve America website. Camping permits may be reserved up to 2 weeks in advance and sites can be reserved for up to 3 nights in a row. Day use permits for the Blue Hole can be reserved up to 1 week in advance and cost $10.00 each.

Slide Mountain Wilderness - Volunteers with the NYNJTC worked to put the finishing touches on the Terrace Mountain Lean-to that was built in late 2021. The work included, installing and staining a new privy, staining the lean-to, remedying the floor cracks, completing a large portion of a stone patio and removing the former lean-to.

Seventeen different volunteers helped out, 8 who joined the crew for the first time. Some returned numerous times. Roughly half came for the day and half stayed over for a night or more. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked hard to make this a successful project.

Alder Lake Trail Accessibility Project - DEC resurfaced a section of the Alder lake trail in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest to bring the trail up to accessible standards for people with disabilities.

Beaver Meadow Lean-to Project - DEC, in conjunction with Tahwus Trails and Finger Lakes Trail Conference, plan on replacing the roof on the Beaver Meadow Lean-to in late May /early June.

Neversink Bridge - DEC and Tahawus trails crew worked to rebuild a wooden bridge that crosses the Neversink River along the Peekamoose-Table Trail.

Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness - In partnership with the DEC, the Tahawus Trails crew recently completed some work on the Escarpment Trail near North Point in the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness. This project involved rehabilitating existing stone stairs, installing new stone stairs, repairing eroded sections of trail, better defining the trail corridor, and eliminating user-created trails.

Kaaterskill Clove Visitor Use Management - DEC has awarded a Visitor Use Management (VUM) planning contract to Otak, a private consulting firm specializing in research, planning, and design to help develop sustainable recreation solutions in the Kaaterskill Clove area of the Catskill Park. The goal of this planning process is to develop strategies that ensure the popular destination provides positive visitor experiences while continuing to protect the Forest Preserve. The Kaaterskill Clove Visitor Use Management webpage hosts project information, updates, and opportunities to get involved.

Kaaterskill Wild Forest and Indian Head Wilderness: Please be advised that the Town of Hunter has parking restrictions on Route 23A and Platte Clove Road. Park only at designated DEC parking lots. Come prepared with backup options and move on if the area's parking lot is full. Any illegally parked vehicle may be ticketed and towed to the Town Hall Impound Lot.

*Reminder- Graham and Doubletop - Doubletop, Graham mountains and surrounding private lands are no longer available for public use. Local landowners have graciously allowed public access to these mountains and private lands for many years, however; access is no longer being allowed.