News: Public Comment on Proposed Changes at Catskills Kaaterskill Falls being Solicited

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) held a Public Scoping Meeting for updates and amendments to the Kaaterskill Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the area immediately surrounding Kaaterskill Falls.  The meeting was held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014.  At the meeting, the DEC spoke of current conditions and some ideas for the future which included increasing visitor safety, improving trails and protecting the natural environment.  The public also had the opportunity to provide their feedback to DEC to start the planning process.

Regarding the process of updating and amending the Kaaterskill Wild Forest UMP, the DEC has said: Members of the public have a variety of opportunities to suggest issues to be addressed, identify problems, and offer comment on Unit Management Plans. The Department encourages public input through scoping meetings, during plan development and during the formal review of completed draft Unit Management Plans. People are encouraged to help in identifying issues that need to be addressed in the plan.  Input from the users of public land, local governments, neighboring landowners and anyone else with an interest in the property for which the plan is being developed is encouraged.

Questions about the updates can be addressed to Josh Borst, the DEC's Senior Forester at 607.652.3607.

If you'd like to submit written comments to DEC on potential changes for the Kaaterskill Falls area, they can be made until January 16, 2015 and can be sent to:

Josh Borst, NYSDEC, 65561 State Highway 10, Suite 1, Stamford, NY 12167
or via email at R4.UMP@dec.ny.gov

Need more information on hiking and planning your 
adventures in the Catskill Mountains and the Catskill Park?

Read up on the Catskill Park at our Catskill Mountains Information Page for hikes, advice, travel and planning information.  We also have a Guide to Hiking in the Catskills available and on our sister site, ReviewThis is a Guide to the Catskill Park.  Need a hiking map for your hikes in the Catskills?  We recommend the Trail Conference's Catskills Trails 6-Map Set.  These maps are the best available for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Catskills and the Catskill Park.  How about a guidebook?  Both AMC and ADK publish trail guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps for hiking and exploring the Catskill Mountain region.