NYS State Forest Management Plan Finalized

NYS State Forest Management Plan Finalized

This plan and generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) will guide the future management of the state’s 786,329-acre State Forest holdings. Key goals focus on ecosystem health and diversity, economic benefits, recreational opportunities, forest conservation and sustainable management.

The plan was presented in draft form on September 1, 2010. The draft plan was available for public comment until October 29th. Comments were also received and considered after the deadline. Over 3,000 written comments were received. Nine public hearings were held throughout the state from September 14th – 30th.

The plan has been edited based on public input and is now considered final DEC Office of Natural Resources policy for the development of State Forest Unit Management Plans. A responsiveness document will be posted on this website, and will include DEC’s responses to the many comments received.*** Revision of the plan is scheduled to occur every 10 years.  it is not up as of this writing

Notice of Acceptance of Final GEIS

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), as lead agency, has accepted a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Final Strategic Plan for State Forest Management. Electronic copies of the Final Strategic Plan and Final GEIS are available online at: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/64567.html or by requesting a CD by e-mail at stateforestplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by calling NYS DEC regional offices.

NYS DEC announces the completion of the Final Strategic Plan for State Forest Management (Plan) and Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS). This notice has been prepared in accordance with Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law. NYS DEC held public hearings in each NYS DEC administrative region on the Draft Plan, released September 1, 2010 and accepted public comments until October 29, 2010. These hearings also served as public hearings on the Draft GEIS pursuant to the applicable SEQR Act (6NYCRR §617.9(a)(4)).

The final Plan is an update and revision of the Draft Strategic Plan for State Forest Management which includes identifications of future management goals for NYS DEC administered State Forests. It establishes statewide management guidelines for NYS DEC staff through a process of public involvement and review. The plan provides a foundation for the development of Unit Management Plans (UMPs), which set forth the specific actions to be undertaken by NYS DEC on individual State Forests. As individual UMPs are developed, this plan will serve as a guide and will be included by reference. This plan will be revised at least once every ten years.

This Plan describes how State Forests will be managed in a sustainable manner by promoting ecosystem health, enhancing landscape biodiversity, protecting soil productivity and water quality. In addition, State Forests will continue to provide the many recreational, social and economic benefits valued so highly by the people of New York State. NYS DEC will continue the legacy which started 80 years ago, leaving these lands to the next generation in better condition than they are today.

Five goals were developed for the management of State Forests. These goals were based on the criteria developed in the Montreal Process and are as follows:

• Goal 1, to provide healthy and biologically diverse ecosystems;
• Goal 2, to maintain human-made State Forest assets;
• Goal 3, to provide recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities;
• Goal 4, to provide economic benefits to the people of the State; and
• Goal 5, to provide a legal framework for forest conservation and sustainable management of State Forests.

Activities that have the potential to cause significant adverse impacts were addressed and include: increased public recreational use, facility development, prescribed fire, silvicultural activities, oil and gas drilling and control of competing vegetation and invasive species. Potential impacts were further discussed in the Draft GEIS including soil erosion, damage to vegetation, increased smoke and associated odors, surface and groundwater effects and effects of pesticides on the environment, including non-target species. The final Plan discusses all of these potential impacts and describes recommended management activities and mitigation measures to minimize potential impacts.

Contact: Justin Perry, NYS DEC – Division of Lands and Forests, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4255, Phone: (518) 402-9436 begin_of_the_skype_

highlighting              (518) 402-9436      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, E-mail: japerry@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Comments on:Final DEC Strategic Plan for Forest Management

Comparison of draft and final Strategic Plans for forest Management–Jim Weiss

The Strategic Plan for State Forest Management has been released by NYSDEC.
From the executive summary: Mineral Resources

The leasing and development of natural gas and oil resources can provide jobs and income to

the State while increasing domestic energy supplies. Oil and natural gas are valuable resources

which can provide energy and revenue, as well as the opportunity for improvements to the

existing infrastructure of the State Forests (such as improving access through upgrading existing

roads, culverts and gates).

As with any other human activity on State lands, oil and natural gas exploration and

development can impact the environment. The biggest risks from natural gas exploration and

development are potential impacts on underground aquifers and residential water wells in the

immediate area of drilling. While techniques used today are far more advanced and protective

of ground water, there are still risks   as with almost any construction or development project.

The Department will incorporate all available technologies and methods to reduce these risks.

Emerging issues include disposal by injection and carbon capture.  Neither of these activities is

currently taking place on State Forest lands.

Recommended actions include:

• Apply a hierarchical approach that classifies areas of each State Forest into specific

categories.

• Adapt the draft guidance for pipelines on State Forests to the DEC policy system and

expanding it to include guidance on strategies for dealing with existing pipeline corridors

and establishment of new pipeline corridors.  If the issue of existing unauthorized

pipelines cannot be sufficiently addressed at the policy level, propose legislation to

resolve the issue.

• Finalize and adopt the current draft policy on seismic exploration.

• Adopt policies addressing disposal by injection and carbon capture and sequestration.

• Adopt a policy on tract assessments for oil and gas leasing, based on mineral character

and expected mineral activity, site condition, and public use.

• Adopt a policy on water use for oil and gas extraction, based on information in theDivision of Mineral Resources GEIS

Starting on page 226 of Chapter 5 you will find the portion relating to hydrofracking.  The concerns raised by the public seem to have at least been considered on page 331 which the following link will take you to: Click here: Chapters 5-7 + Appendices Starting on page 226 of Chapter 5 you will find the portion relating to hydrofracking.  The concerns raised by the public seem to have at least been considered on page 231 which the following link will take you to: Click here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/spsfmfinal3.pdf . Text of Mineral Resources section: https://gdacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/final-plan-mineral-resources.pdf

Pipelines:

The document appears to have sidestepped an important pipeline issue:  The DEC correctly points to the PSC (Public Service Commission ) as the controlling authority for lines that are outside the wellpad.

However, the plan sidesteps when it come to handling the pipeline ROW (right of way). On non-state forest land this is handled in one of two ways: a) by a formal easement with the landholder or, b) thru an eminent domain (condemnation) procedure (whereby the ROW is “taken”, presumeaby against the owner’s wishes and the owner is compensated.

Eminent domain applies in two cases: a) the pipeline is between states and the authority is federal (by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission , FERC), lines permitted by FERC carry emminent domain authority. b) within state lines, these carry eminent domain authority IF the Co. has Public Utility status.

Now, what’s the pipeline deal in the forests?  will the state negotiate for ROWs, or will it require eminent domain authority in which case the Co will, in conjunction with the PSC or FERC, determine the routing (in this case DEC will NOT be a controlling entity, but presumeably consulted)?

Remember, no wells without pipelines.

 

DEC Strategic Plan for State Forest Management (DRAFT)

This draft plan and generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) will guide the future management of the state’s 786,329-acre State Forest holdings and is being made available for public review and comment. Key goals focus on ecosystem health and diversity, economic benefits, recreational opportunities, forest conservation and sustainable management.

• Current Gas Leases on State Forest Land http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/sfoilgasleases.pdf
• Map of gas leases in Cortland and Onondaga Counties
• Cortland Standard Editorial on Drilling in State Forests.  Nov. 6, 2010
• Assemblywoman Lifton’s Press Release on Management Plan
• Assemblywoman Lifton’s Comment to DEC on Management Plan

Press Release

Guides to understanding the Strategic Plan:

• http://www.watershedpost.com/2010/fracking-forest
• http://www.tcgasmap.org/default.asp?metatags_Action=Find%28%27PID%27,%2711%27%29#State%20Forests
  
• Click Here to Sign a Petition to Ask the DEC to THINK AGAIN.
• Organizational Sign On Letter to Urge Caution on Industrial Drilling in State Forests Text of Letter

——————

Essay on Impact of Industrial Drilling in State Forests

Lost in the Woods By Peter Mantius

BURDETT, Oct. 25 — It’s open season on New York’s state forests.

State regulators are asking for public comment by Oct. 29 on a proposal to let gas drillers hydrofrack the forests and criss-cross them with construction roads and natural gas gathering lines.

In Schuyler County alone, this could affect — or decimate — more than 10,000 acres in five state forests: Sugar Hill, Coon Hollow, Cinnamon Lake, Beaver Dam and Goundry Hill.

Most of this land was acquired about 80 years ago for about $4 an acre. The forests are used by hikers, hunters, horseback riders, snowmobilers and others.

The idea of industrializing any portion of them would appear to violate both the spirit and the letter of the Depression-era laws passed to assemble and protect them. Those special woodlands, the laws said, shall be “forever devoted to reforestation and the establishment and maintenance thereon of forests for watershed protection, the production of timber and for recreation and kindred purposes.”

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation apparently isn’t worried about every fine point in dusty old statutes.

Applying an extraordinarily broad legal interpretation, the agency is prepared to expand the list of legal “kindred purposes” to include so called high-volume hydraulic fracturing, toxic wastewater storage in ponds, underground natural gas storage, heavy trucking and widespread road and pipeline construction.

This comes from the same agency that warns state forest hikers: “Don’t litter! Stay on designated trails. Do not cause damage by heedlessly trampling trail side vegetation.”

So littering is bad, but hydrofracking is OK? Surely, this agency is lost in the woods. Read more of this post