DEC Releases Proposed Updates for Regulations Governing Use of State Wildlife Management Areas

DEC Releases Proposed Updates for Regulations
Governing Use of State Wildlife Management Areas

March 26, 2021 12:30 p.m.

Press Release from NYS DEC (03/25/2021):

DEC Releases Proposed Updates for Regulations Governing Use of

State Wildlife Management Areas

Public Encouraged to Comment on Draft Proposals that Cover Wide Range

of Activities on WMAs; Comments Accepted through May 24, 2021

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

today released a draft proposal for public comment that would update

regulations governing public use of the State's vast network of

Wildlife

Management Areas

(WMAs). DEC is proposing these amendments to

protect natural resources, promote public safety, and help ensure the

multiple uses of New York's WMAs remain compatible with natural resource

protection and visitor interest. The proposed changes would help bring

consistency with existing rules for state forests, campgrounds, and other

DEC lands, and codify rules and guidance already in place at many WMAs

to make these rules enforceable. DEC is accepting public comments on the

draft proposal until May 24.

"Ensuring our public lands are clean, safe, and enjoyable is a top priority for

DEC and I applaud our staff for developing this proposal to keep regulations

for the State's Wildlife Management Areas up to date," Commissioner

Seggos said. "The proposed regulations will ensure our WMAs are

protected and continue to provide quality hunting, trapping, fishing, and

wildlife observation opportunities for years to come, and I encourage New

Yorkers to review and comment on this comprehensive proposal."

New York State has more than 120 WMAs containing nearly 250,000 acres,

including 124,000 acres of forests and grasslands and 53,000 acres of

wetlands. DEC's Bureau of Wildlife manages an additional 38,000 acres of

land, including Unique Areas and Multiple Use Areas, for a total of

approximately 150 areas that thousands of New Yorkers visit and enjoy

each year.

In the draft regulations currently out for public comment, DEC is proposing

to update and clarify existing regulations defining the allowable activities

and uses of WMAs. The proposals continue to prioritize activities that

include hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing. Among other

proposed updates, the draft regulations would:

Prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species by prohibiting their
transport to WMA waters while boating;
Only allow non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors, except
when posted open or permitted by DEC. Boats would also be
prohibited from being moored, stored, or anchored overnight;
Ensure certain Unique Areas and Multiple Use Areas managed by
DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife have the same protections as
WMAs;
Prohibit the discharge of firearms other than for hunting or trapping,
except when using paper targets at areas clearly posted as open to
target shooting and with suitable backstops. In addition, the proposed
regulations prohibit breakable targets, such as clay pigeons, and
paintballs and paintball guns. These measures are important to protect
public safety and prevent litter and the destruction of natural resources;
Clarify and make enforceable restrictions on motor vehicles and
motorized equipment prohibited in WMAs. Snowmobiles would be
allowed on designated routes covered by a minimum of three inches of
snow or ice and only between the close of the regular big game
hunting season until March 31. This measure would help prevent the
degradation of trails and habitat, particularly during mud season. The
regulations also prohibit motorized vehicles or bicycles on posted
roads and motorized vehicles of any kind off-road, unless with DEC
authorization;
Prohibit the construction, use, or abandonment of any structure on a
WMA except with a DEC permit. This excludes legally placed traps,
tree stands, and hunting blinds during big game, migratory gamebird,
or turkey seasons with specified hunter identification, and wildlife
viewing blinds placed for 10 days maximum in one location per
calendar year with specified hunter identification. Construction of
stands or blinds cannot be nailed to, screwed in, or otherwise injure
trees;
Prohibit gatherings of more than 20 people without a permit;
Require owners or trainers to keep dogs on leash and under immediate
control except: when dogs are being legally used for hunting or training
for hunting on lands designated as dog-training areas during
designated training seasons set by regulation; when participating in a
licensed field trial and authorized by a DEC permit; or as otherwise
permitted in writing by DEC;
Prevent underage drinking by explicitly prohibiting anyone under 21
years of age from possessing alcoholic beverages unless
accompanied by a parent or guardian;
Include additional restrictions that prevent the destruction or removal of
state property, littering, wildfire risk, risks to public safety, as well as
allow other activities with a DEC permit or other authorization; and
Remove sections of existing regulations that are redundant or obsolete.