COLTON – The state Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing changes designed to improve recreational opportunities and access to state forests in Colton, Clifton, Fine and Clare

A draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Grasse River Wild Forest, and draft Recreation Management Plans (RMPs) for the Grasse River Conservation Easement and the Tooley Pond Conservation Easement were released Sept. 14 by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for public review and comment.

The DEC will accept public input on the draft UMP and RMPs at a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Colton-Pierrepont Central School Auditorium, 4921 State Highway 56.

"The proposals in these draft plans will improve recreational opportunities and expand access to the lands and waters in the unit for people of all ages and abilities,” said Judy Drabicki, Region 6 Director.

“The proposals will protect the natural environment of the Adirondacks and provide economic benefits to the surrounding communities. These plans are being released together because they share many miles of boundaries and are connected by trails, roads and three branches of the Grasse River that provide diverse, interconnected recreational opportunities.”

The Grasse River Wild Forest encompasses approximately 14,000 acres of Forest Preserve lands distributed across several scattered parcels in the northwest corner of the Adirondack Park in the towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton and Fine in St. Lawrence County.

The Tooley Pond Conservation Easement encompasses 23,946 acres and the Grasse River Conservation Easement 51,950 acres in the same towns. The lands are bounded on the east by State Highway 56, on the south by State Highway 3 and the Oswegatchie River, and the west and north by the Adirondack Park boundary.

The RMPs will address enhanced recreational opportunities for both conservation easements.

Public comments may also be mailed to Aaron Graves, Dec Forester, NYS DEC, 6739 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY 13676 or emailed to r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.

All comments must be received by Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.