Public Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday November 12 at Whiteface Mountain Ski Center

Wilmington Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) is under review for a possible amendment to identify improvement and expansion of trails within the unit, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Robert Stegemann announced today.

“We are responding to requests from local government and other organizations to provide additional trails in the Wilmington Wild Forest,” said Director Stegemann. “DEC continues to work to ensure that the forest preserve lands we manage are an asset to Adirondack communities, while continuing to protect and conserve the natural resources of those lands.”

A public meeting will be held at the Base Lodge at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, 5021 Route 86 in Wilmington on Wednesday, November 12 beginning at 6 pm. DEC staff will provide a brief presentation on the current trail system after which the public is asked to share information and ideas regarding improvements and expansion of the trail system. The lodge is wheelchair accessible. Please provide any requests for specific accommodation in advance to DEC at 518-897-1248.

DEC has partnered with local governments and volunteers to build a number of trails and trail systems since the UMP was approved in October 2005. Currently, there are approximately 33 miles of trails with 23 miles open to mountain bikes and eight miles of snowmobile trails – including a connection to the Adirondack/North Country snowmobile trail network.

Mountain biking has become a very popular activity in the Wilmington Wild Forest with bike trail systems concentrated around the Wilmington Flume and Hardy Road. Visitor comments have indicated that there is a need for improvements to the trail system in the unit. Improvements mentioned include the need for trail connections with the hamlet area, more trails that would be considered less difficult, and the relocation of some trail segments to better protect natural resources.

The Wilmington Wild Forest is located in the towns of Wilmington and Keene in Essex County and the town of Black Brook in Clinton County. The unit covers about 14,000 acres across several detached Forest Preserve parcels. The core area is located on the east-facing slopes of Whiteface Mountain between the Whiteface Mountain Ski center and the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway.

Comments may also be provided in writing to Steve Guglielmi, Senior Forester, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977 or by e-mail to r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us. The current Wilmington Wild Forest UMP can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/22585.html.