Thomas Kapelewski, Senior Forester, NYS DEC 
PO Box 1316 
Northville, NY 12134									February 3, 2010
 
Dear Mr. Kapelewski and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation,
Having read the published amendment to the 2005/2006 Jessup River Wild Forest Unit Management Plan I would like 
you to record the following comments.  I commend the efforts of the department to establish a safe trail system that 
exists within the guidelines of law.  I am very concerned however that in some cases there are trail closures that are 
unnecessary under the guidelines and as a result will isolate residents, visitors, and businesses who have historically 
had access to the trail system.
This plan does provide several land based trail alternatives to connect areas of recreational value to the community 
and upgrades some existing corridor/connector trails to safer widths, but should also leverage Class I Trail guidelines 
better to preserve access by residents and businesses.   
Specifically, I believe you should consider the following:
1.	The Oxbow-Sacandaga Trail must remain open as at least a Class I trail to satisfy the guideline that provides Class I 
trails to be designated for access to population areas and services.  Loss of this trail will also have a negative impact 
on property values currently served by this trail.
2.	The department should rescind the proposed closure of all feeder trails to Oxbow and Sacandaga lake and include 
them as Class I trails, given they currently exist within accepted width and surface guidelines and meet the 
definition for Class I trails per #1 above.
3.	The amendment should remove the newly proposed trail closures, specifically the three trails to the existing C8 
and C4 corridors and the new Fish Mtn corridor trail, when opened.  Two of these feeders connect Oxbow Lake to 
the trail and the third connects Sacandaga Lake to Fawn Lake trail (C4) and subsequently Fish Mtn when built.  
These trails are critical access points for both the local population and area businesses.  Without these trails the 
UMP will have cut off the local population and businesses from the trail system. 
4.	Upgrade the classification of the proposed Moffit’s Beach feeder trail to Class II to support access and egress for 
Tracked Groomers, Department Personnel and Emergency Services on the proposed Fish Mtn. trail.  This is a 
sensible maintenance accommodation given the intensive use nature of the area by the public and existing 
Department facilities.
5.	Upgrade the classification of the proposed Page St. connector trail to Class II so that current maintenance practice 
can continue with tracked groomers.  Alternatively, leave the trail as a local feeder trail on private property and 
NYS/Municipal ROW and allow existing maintenance practice.  This mileage could then be used to offset the 
retained Oxbow Trail mileage in #1.
6.	The UMP should specifically require that the NYSDEC be diligent in maintenance of trails proposed for closure until 
new trails are built, closing the loophole of premature trail closure by abandonment.
I hope you find these comments to be informed and sensible, within the required guidelines for Trail Sighting, and 
more considerate of the wishes of the local residents and recreational users.
Sincerely, 
NAME and ADDRESS

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