Under a framework established under an Executive Order, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to issue a heightened Drought Warning for most of Western New York. In response, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos issued a Drought Warning for western State Drought Regions VI, VII and VIII. These regions include the following counties in western NYS: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. Commissioner Seggos issued the warning after consulting with experts from the State Drought Management Task Force and Federal technical agencies. The remainder of the State remains under a previously declared Drought Watch.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold a public meeting to provide information and gather public input for the development of an amendment to the Elm Ridge Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) to incorporate the 806-acre Mt. Hayden parcel located in the town of Windham, Greene County.

On June 4th, The Catskill Center and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference recently celebrated the grand opening of the newly constructed Nature Trail at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center (CIC) in Mount Tremper, NY. The CIC is the visitor center for the Catskill Park and offers visitors a unique Catskills experience with visitor information, hiking and walking opportunities, an outdoor art park, picnicking areas and more. “We are thrilled to continue expanding recreational opportunities on-site here at the Catskill Interpretive Center, while giving our visitors a sense of what they’ll encounter while out enjoying the rest of the Catskill Park,” said Jeff Senterman, executive director of the Catskill Center, and board member of the American Hiking Society.