The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of draft Access and Public Use Plans for Black Pond and Dexter Marsh Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for public review and comment.
Black Pond WMA encompasses 551 acres in Jefferson County on the eastern shores of Lake Ontario and is part of a 17-mile stretch of barrier beach consisting of beach, dunes, and emergent wetland. DEC acquired the WMA to protect the natural wetlands and dunes. In 2007, as part of the Eastern Lake Ontario Barrier Beach and Wetland Complex, the area was designated as a Natural Heritage Area. In addition, the WMA is designated as a significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat by the New York State Department of State, DEC Bird Conservation Area (BCA) as part of the Eastern Lake Ontario Marshes BCA, and Important Bird Area by Audubon New York. Black Pond WMA is managed for open water, shoreline, and wetland habitats and the preservation of unique ecological resources within the WMA, including wildlife.
Dexter Marsh WMA consists of 1,241 acres in Jefferson County, which New York State acquired in 1969. In 1973 Dexter Marsh was approved as a National Natural Landmark. This designation allows DEC to preserve the area and prevent any future development in the marsh. The WMA is strictly a wetland area consisting of lands primarily underwater. The expansive marsh found on the WMA is a popular fish and waterfowl area. Northern pike, bass, and panfish are found in the shallow to deep water, and a variety of ducks, black terns, shore birds, and marsh waders utilize the sparse cattail marsh which characterizes this Lake Ontario Bay. Dexter Marsh WMA is a relatively undisturbed marsh complex with water depths of four to eight feet in channels and exposed mud flats during low-water conditions, which promotes the growth of wild rice and other aquatic plants. Dexter Marsh WMA is considered a Waterfowl Winter Concentration Area that many wildlife species use during migration.
These draft Access and Public Use Plans (APUPs) complement the existing Habitat Management Plans (HMPs) for the WMAs and address management objectives for wildlife-dependent recreation, access features, and facility maintenance. Together, the APUPs and HMPs form a comprehensive management plan for each WMA. The plans guide management for wildlife and public access over a 10-year time period, after which DEC will assess conditions and needs and update the plans accordingly.
The public is invited to provide comments on the Black Pond and Dexter Marsh WMA draft APUPs through Aug. 30, 2024. Comments can be mailed to NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Region 6, 317 Washington Street 7th Floor, Watertown, NY 13601, or emailed to [email protected] with the subject lines “Black Pond WMA draft APUP for Black Pond WMA” and “Dexter Marsh WMA draft APUP for Dexter Marsh WMA.”
