POTSDAM -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is requesting public input on a draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for St. Lawrence Foothills.

St. Lawrence Foothills includes more than 16,000 acres of public land in central St. Lawrence County.

An open house for comment is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 25. at the Potsdam Central High School Auditorium.

“The public should read the UMP and also attend the open house to learn more about what we are going to do to upgrade recreational opportunities," said Judy Drabicki, Region 6 Director.

The draft UMP calls for a new footbridge across the Grasse River in Downerville State Forest, new parking areas, information kiosks, recreational trails, and lean-tos, and rehabilitation of an existing horse trail system on Whippoorwill Corners State Forest. The draft UMP also includes plans for upgrading canoe launches, campsites and public access forest roads throughout the unit. St. Lawrence Foothills includes 13 state forests, Catherineville, Crary Mills, DeGrasse, Downerville, Glenmeal, High Flats, Orebed Creek, Silver Hill, Snow Bowl, Taylor Creek, West Parishville, Whippoorwill Corners, and Whiskey Flats, and the towns of Colton, Hopkinton, Parishville, Potsdam, Pierrepont, and Russell.

The first half hour of the Potsdam open house is to be an open session for talk with DEC and will be followed by a brief presentation on the draft UMP at 6:30 p.m. Comments will be collected during and after the presentation.

The draft St. Lawrence Foothills UMP documents are available on the DEC website. Copies are also available in electronic form on compact disc and may be requested by calling (315) 265-3090. All comments must be received by Aug. 25.

Public comments can be submitted by mail or email to Tony Sparacino, Forester, NYS DEC, 6739 US Hwy 11, Potsdam, NY 13676, or email r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.