September 30, 2022

DEC Releases Final Recreation Management Plan for Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement in Herkimer County

Plan Maintains and Improves Upon Current Public Recreational Access on Easement Lands

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a final recreation management plan (RMP) for the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County. The 3,350-acre Three Lakes Tract (TLT) is comprised of commercially managed forestland and is named for three waterbodies located on the property-Hitchcock, Grass, and Moose ponds.

The final plan expands public recreational opportunities on the property, consistent with the encumbering conservation easement. The RMP proposes the following actions:

  • Maintain two existing snowmobile trails totaling 4.8 miles on the property;
  • Establish hiking trails connecting McCarty Road in the Independence River Wild Forest to Blue, Hitchcock, Grass, and Moose ponds on the TLT. This includes a total of 4.4 miles of trail on the conservation easement (2.9 miles will follow existing snowmobile trails and the remaining 1.5 miles will involve minimal trail construction, mostly following old skid trails or existing trails used by the lease camp located on the TLT). Additionally, a connector trail up to 0.6 miles may be constructed to the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness Area, pending proposals in the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness Unit Management Plan revision;
  • Permit primitive camping throughout the property. Three primitive campsites will be established near Hitchcock, Grass, and Moose ponds. An Accessible Campsite for People with Disabilities (ACPWD) will be established near Blue Pond;
  • Allow hunting, fishing, and trapping throughout the property consistent with DEC regulations;
  • Allow paddling throughout the property; and
  • Develop and distribute new recreation maps and information to the public.

The RMP can be viewed on the DEC website (PDF) and all questions about the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement can be directed to the DEC Office in Lowville at 315-376-3521.

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DCEE, Region 6
317 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

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