The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are holding a joint public comment period to solicit comments concerning proposed guidance on best management practices for primitive tent sites in the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

Guidance addresses roadside camping as it pertains to walk-in sites, and walk-in sites with a single lane parking area. It also includes recommendations for large groups at primitive tent sites, camping permits, primitive tent site size limits, primitive tent site improvements and regulation changes. The APA and DEC will accept comments on primitive tent site guidance until Jan. 29, 2016.

The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) allows for primitive tent sites to be designated in wilderness, primitive, canoe and wild forest areas. Tent sites should be positioned generally one-quarter mile apart to ensure they provide an acceptable degree of solitude. In wild forest areas, the APSLMP allows for small groupings of primitive tent sites, widely dispersed (generally a mile apart), located in a manner that will blend in with the surrounding environment, and have a minimum impact on the wild forest character and natural resource quality of the area.

For more information or to download the proposed Adirondack Forest Preserve Best Management Practices for Primitive Tent Sites visit apa.ny.gov.

Direct comments specific to the management action proposed in the guidance to the Department of Environmental Conservation: Peter Frank, Forest Preserve Bureau Chief, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor Albany, NY 12233-4254

Address all written comments pertaining to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance to: Kathy Regan, Deputy Director for Planning, NYS Adirondack Park Agency, P.O. Box 99 Ray Brook, NY 12977; fax: 518-891-3938 or email SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov

For more information, call the APA at (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.ny.gov.