The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has acquired conservation easements covering more than 1,600 acres in Clinton and Essex counties. The acquisition was made from the Open Space Institute (OSI), with approximately 1,414 acres located in Clinton County on lands owned by Chazy Resource Management Inc. (CRMI), and a 210-acre easement in Essex County on land owned by OSI.
“These lands in the Adirondacks will help protect forests from development, encourage ongoing, responsible forest management, and provide year-round recreational access,” said DEC Commissioner Lefton. “These protections connect people with their outdoor community and encourage more of the public to follow the lead of Governor Hochul’s initiative to get offline and get outside in the unparalleled beauty in the Adirondack Park.”
The CRMI Conservation Easement spans over 1,400 acres across Dannemora and Saranac towns. This easement was originally purchased by OSI before being transferred to DEC. CRMI sold the original conservation easement to OSI in 2020. The agreement restricts future development on these lands and allows public access along a former Delaware & Hudson Railway corridor that runs for about 16 miles, covering around 200 acres. Permitted activities along this corridor include biking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV use as specified under an Interim Recreation Management Plan (IRMP). Hunting, fishing, and trapping are not allowed within this easement.
In Essex County’s Town of Newcomb, the Tahawus Core Historic Area Conservation Easement protects a 210-acre property along Upper Works Road. This area includes historic features such as MacNaughton Cottage from around 1854 and a stone blast furnace built over 150 years ago. The site serves as an access point for several trails leading into the High Peaks Wilderness Area. Recreational activities permitted here include year-round non-motorized uses like hunting, fishing, trapping, skiing, and nature study; motorized access is limited to Upper Works Road.
According to DEC information on conservation easements, these agreements are voluntary arrangements between private landowners and New York State that permanently protect properties from development while allowing certain public uses or preserving unique features.
Deborah Boyce of Boeselager Forestry and CRMI stated: “Chazy Resources is committed to working with New York State for the continued recreation on the 16 mile corridor between Dannemora and Lyon Mountain. We encourage users to join one of the clubs that maintain the corridor.”
Erik Kulleseid, President and CEO of OSI added: “OSI has worked for decades to protect and preserve the Adirondacks’ remarkable landscapes, ecology, and legacy. At Upper Works, we’ve invested more than $2.1 million over 20 years to add trails and make the land more welcoming for users of all abilities, promote sustainable recreation, and provide thoughtful stewardship. We are proud to work with our partners at DEC and the Town of Newcomb to ensure this special place continues to be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Both areas are now open for public recreation according to each site’s IRMP guidelines regarding allowable activities. The DEC is collaborating with local groups through Volunteer Stewardship Agreements (VSA) for trail maintenance on these lands.
Passenger vehicles are generally not allowed on railroad beds unless there is a deeded right; some parcels have restricted public access except during specific conditions such as completed snowmobile trails.
Funding for these acquisitions came from New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which supports open space protection projects throughout the state while also contributing toward climate change mitigation efforts.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced an agreement aimed at modernizing how critical open spaces are secured statewide by streamlining legal procedures related to land acquisition projects designed to preserve water quality habitats while expanding recreational opportunities across New York.
