DEC Releases Draft Access and Public Use Plan For Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area for Public Comment
Dec. 22 Deadline for Public Comment
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released a draft Access and Public Use Plan (APUP) for the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The draft plan is available for public comment until Dec. 22, 2021.
Utica Marsh WMA contains 193 acres of primarily wetlands in eastern Oneida County north of the city of Utica. In conjunction with WMA regulations, APUPs serve as overarching guidance for providing access to wildlife lands and determining public use activities appropriate for each area.
This draft APUP complements the existing Habitat Management Plan (HMP) for Utica Marsh WMA and addresses management objectives for wildlife-dependent recreation, access features, and facility maintenance. Together, the APUP and HMP form a comprehensive management plan for the WMA. These plans guide management for wildlife and public access over a 10-year time period, after which DEC will assess conditions and needs and update the plans as needed.
The public is invited to provide comments on the draft APUP for 30 days beginning Nov. 22 and ending Dec. 22, 2021. Comments can be sent to NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Region 6, 225 North Main Street, Herkimer, NY, 13350 or by email [email protected] with the subject line - Utica Marsh WMA draft APUP.
Andrea C. Pedrick
DCEE, Region 8
6274 East Avon-Lima Rd
Avon, NY 14414
