The debate on motor vehicle access to some of the more remote and reachable tracts of land in the Adirondacks continues.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced earlier this week that they are extending the public comment period on proposed changes to the Moose River Plains Wild Forest (and possibly the West Canada Lakes Wilderness) until Sept. 17. I'm not sure of the reason for the extension but it will give people on all sides of the issue a chance to weigh in with their opinions.
Although I did not make any of the public meetings held in Inlet and Indian Lake this summer, I've heard that things got pretty heated, mainly over the proposal to move 15,000 acres to the West Canada Lakes Wilderness thus, in effect, closing a number of roads into the backcountry and eliminating a number of campsites long term. I have to say that I agree with those opposed to this one change in particular.
Many of the revisions are more than acceptable but I see no reason to close these roads permanently. This would take away hunting access to the area as well as angling access to three different ponds. I recently talked with retired Forest Ranger Gary Lee, who used to cover this area, and he told me these changes would just continue the process of condensing recreationists of all types, especially those who can't physically get into the backcountry, into tighter areas.
I was warned of the possibility of these closures a few years ago by a friend of mine who hunts out of a tent camp back off one of these roads. Shortly afterword, the creation of the North Country National Scenic Trail was announced, with a map targeting this specific area for development of the trail. I have to question this coincidence.
I've also spoken numerous times with Jason Kemper of the Conservation Fund Advisory Board, who is also opposed to these road closures. His biggest concern is that changes like these whittle away at the sporting license buying public.
"Each time, when someone loses access, it's 20 or 30 licenses here or there and that adds up," he told me.
Moose River Plains is a unique area. It's remote and not be taken lightly and therefore sees a different user than more accessible places where users have abused the resources. It should also be noted that when it was handed over to the state more than 40 years ago, the wishes of the granting landowner was to provide a place for sportsmen to do their thing. That should never change.
But the bottom line here is access. This is an area where a person with limited physical abilities can still get into the backcountry and one of the few where a vehicle can take anyone into such a desolate area. That is why it is popular with sportsmen. Although it borders the West Canada Lakes wilderness, it sees little hiking activity compared to other areas of the Adirondack Park.
Since the creation of the Adirondack Park Agency in the early 1970s and the State Land Master Plan that followed, road closures in other areas have resulted in sportsmen of all types losing much more than they've gained. Why take something away that was set aside for this type of use in the first place? Once it's gone, you will not get it back.
These are just my opinions. To weigh in with your own write to: Richard Weber, Adirondack Park Agency, P.O. Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977; or e-mail apa_slmp@gw.dec.state.ny.us by Sept. 17.
Dan Ladd is the author of "Deer Hunting in the Adirondacks," outdoors editor for the Glens Falls Chronicle, columnist for Outdoors Magazine and contributor to New York Outdoor News. Contact him at www.adkhunter.com.
