Recreation Guide. Adirondacks & Tug Hill. Toll Free: Web Site:

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Adirondacks & Tug Hill Outdoor Recreation Guide Toll Free: 1-800-724-0242 Web Site: www.lewiscountychamber.org www.

1 Adirondacks & Tug Hill Outdoor Recreation Guide Toll Free: Web Site: I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark/service mark of the NYS Dept. of Economic Development, used with permission.

2 2 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

3 ATV Trail System The Lewis County ATV trail system is an everexpanding system with hundreds of miles of trails. Although Lewis County contains a high percentage of state public land (about 175,000 acres), ATV s are not allowed access on any of the Department of Environmental Conservation state land. This hurdle has not stopped Lewis County and its residents from putting together spectacular ATV riding areas and an extensive countywide ATV trail system. As you can imagine, private landowners have played an instrumental role in the development of the trail system. In fact, the system is 90% PRIVATE land. The only public lands in the ATV trail system are the Lewis County reforestation lands. As ATV enthusiasts, it is very important that we respect the lands, laws, wildlife and nature as we enjoy the trails and scenery. LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 3

ATV Trails in the System can be categorized into three types. Town & County Roads There are many miles of seasonal dirt roads which connect ATV areas and off road trails in our system.

4 ATV Trails in the System can be categorized into three types. Town & County Roads There are many miles of seasonal dirt roads which connect ATV areas and off road trails in our system. Off-Road Trails County reforestation trails and private landowner trails make up this portion of the trail system. Play Areas A mud ATV play area has been set-aside for those with a real quest for mud ATVing. This 144-acre play area features tight, twisty, through the woods, through the mud and water holes riding. If fun in the mud is your game, this is the stadium for you. More ATV play areas are being planned as we expand the system. Trail System Expansion Trails are added to the system as private land and/or county land becomes available and deemed viable and safe for ATV trail riding. Work is underway to connect the Lewis County trail system with trails in Jefferson, northern Oneida, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties. Trail Maintenance Trails are maintained and upgraded by several local ATV/Snowmobile clubs. Trail care is very important and is an ongoing task. Maintenance of the ATV trails is often a group effort in the form of trail work parties. Removing downed trees, cutting over-hanging branches, culvert drainage work, grass cutting, chain saw work and repairing road surfaces are just a few of the tasks. Attention to trail care is very important in order to avoid extensive trail and environmental damage. A lack of maintenance could result in extensive erosion and widening of the trails. This preventive / early intervention care is essential to any trail system. ATV trail care is supported by ATV riders, club memberships, map sales, benefit rides, land owners, and numerous area businesses which go to great lengths to help the cause. 4 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

Maps Trail maps are updated periodically to account for changes in the system. In addition, trail markers are routinely added to further assist riders.

Care of Our Environment Lewis County and the State of New York look at and evaluate the environmental impact of ATV trail riding.

5 Maps Trail maps are updated periodically to account for changes in the system. In addition, trail markers are routinely added to further assist riders. It is very important that all ATV riders adhere to the designated ATV trails. Please help us maintain the trail system by staying on the designated trails. Care of Our Environment Lewis County and the State of New York look at and evaluate the environmental impact of ATV trail riding. These impact studies look at the potential effects on specific species of plants, trees, and wildlife in the various areas of the trail system. Erosion and noise are additional aspects of concern for both wildlife and humans. It is very important that we all are exceptional stewards of our environment and surroundings. Please be considerate and help in any way you can. The success and availability of our Environment depends on all of us. LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 5

Canoeing & Kayaking The Black River The Black River flows northeasterly and covers parts of five counties before it drains into Lake Ontario at Dexter.

6 Canoeing & Kayaking The Black River The Black River flows northeasterly and covers parts of five counties before it drains into Lake Ontario at Dexter. The Black River has a watershed of approximately 1,916 square miles. The river is an important economic factor for both agricultural and recreational purposes; it was one of the main contributors to the economic growth of Lewis County in its early years. Today the Black River still serves an important role in the economy of Lewis County as a recreational resource for residents, as well as for tourists visiting the area. While canoeing or kayaking down the Black River nature will surround you. Wildlife is abundant in and around, including fish, amphibians, birds, and shoreline trees. During the summer and fall months the Black River is full of canoes and kayaks. RiverFest is an annual event, designed as a comfortable paddle, and is held on the Black River the first Saturday in August. 6 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

The Beaver River The Beaver River, once used to float logs downstream to lumberyards, is now home to many types of wildlife and to a very scenic atmosphere, including the Beaver River Canoe Route.

Beaver River begins at Beaver Lake, which is filled from the Moshier Reservoir, and filled by the Stillwater Reservoir where water from several western Adirondack streams converge.

7 The Beaver River The Beaver River, once used to float logs downstream to lumberyards, is now home to many types of wildlife and to a very scenic atmosphere, including the Beaver River Canoe Route. Hundreds of canoeists travel each year to the Beaver River to follow this 12-mile canoe route. Beaver River begins at Beaver Lake, which is filled from the Moshier Reservoir, and filled by the Stillwater Reservoir where water from several western Adirondack streams converge. Canoeing is also very popular along Orion s Power Beaver River Canoe Route. This offers a 14-mile venture from Moshier Impoundment put-in to High Falls Impoundment take-out. Camping opportunities also exist enroute, and the trip includes six portages totaling just over two miles. Hand launches are also located on most of the impoundments, for shorter canoe trips. Beaver Creek Lodge Between Barnes Corners & Copenhagen, NY A year-round 7 bedroom vacation rental 4-Wheelers & Snowmobilers Ride from our door, we re right on the trail network Info & Reservations: info@beavercreekny.com LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 7

Hunting & Fishing Lewis County boasts hundreds of miles of streams in state forests, forest preserves, and wildlife management areas open to the public.

8 Hunting & Fishing Lewis County boasts hundreds of miles of streams in state forests, forest preserves, and wildlife management areas open to the public. The lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in the region provide some of the best fishing opportunities in the North Country for trout, bass, pike, perch, bullhead, and many other varieties. From the novice to expert, young to old, there is something for everyone searching for the perfect spot to cast their line. The Black River The Black River, a north-flow river, offers 73 fishable miles of flow across Lewis County, and is one of the premiere flyfishing areas in northern New York. Lake Bonaparte Lake Bonaparte, located just outside the town of Harrisville, is another very popular fishing destination. The lake is running with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, brown trout, and lake trout. 8 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

Lewis County hunting terrain varies from the Adirondack Forest Preserve to the Black River Valley to the Tug Hill Plateau.

9 Oswegatchie River The West Branch of the Oswegatchie River, located in the town of Croghan, offers great brook trout opportunities. Long Pond Long Pond is previously stocked with splake and red salmon, and presently receives stockings of brook trout. Hunting Lewis County offers some of the finest hunting in New York state. Lewis County hunting terrain varies from the Adirondack Forest Preserve to the Black River Valley to the Tug Hill Plateau. The Adirondack foothills, located in the eastern section of the country, represent a descent from the mountain country of the central area of the Adirondacks. These elevations vary from 3,000 to 400 feet. Hunting season in Lewis County is long, stretching from mid-september to early December. Hunters enjoy the full spectrum of outdoor enjoyment, from warm, bug-free days and cool nights right to tracking snow in the North Country, the snows come as early as October. LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 9

10 Frequently Asked Questions Why do I have to buy a permit and pay to ride my ATV? The implementation of the permit system is to pay for the entire ATV system which includes County reforestation lands, private landowner trails, an ATV play area (with more to come), and maintenance on the roads which connect these trails and areas. All of the other ATV systems on the East coast are funded by their States. NYS does not fund any ATV activities. There is no trail fund from your ATV registration. NYS does not recognize ATVing as a recreational activity, and therefore has closed virtually all State land and DEC Truck Trails to ATVs. NYS will not even increase the weight of an ATV to get increased registration revenues, and you cannot register most side-by-side utility vehicles in NYS. When do the 2009 permits go on sale? Where can I buy one? Permits can be purchased online at lewiscountychamber.org, or in person at the Lewis County Chamber office (7559 South State Street, Lowville, NY 13367) beginning Monday. How much does a permit cost? Permits cost $40 per machine for members of a club belonging to the Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association, $80 for non-members. Family and weekend rates are not yet available, but may be in the future. Will there be a trail map? There will be a new map of all of the ATV riding available in the region available in April. Remember, this system is ever changing and expanding. Be sure to follow the signs on the trail system, and stay on designated trails. I don t belong to a club, but I want to take advantage of the discount offered to members. How do I join? You will be able to join a club on the permit application, both online and through the chamber Am I buying a permit for myself or for my ATV? Permits for the new trail system will be issued per machine, not per person. 10 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

11 Where does my permit application money go? Permit fees will be placed in a recreational trails fund for the establishment, maintenance, operation, enforcement and education of the trail system. This money will not go into the general fund, and will only be spent on recreational trails in the County. When does the ATV system open? The trail system is scheduled to open May 1 and close the second Friday in October, the start of rifle season. You do not need at permit for the SNIRT run in April this year, or any of the Tug Hill ADK ATV Association Benefit Rides in How old do I have to be to operate an ATV on the trails? Ages must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older and must have successfully completed an ATV safety course. Riders 18 and up can ride without supervision. What s the speed limit on the ATV trail system? The speed limit will be set at 25mph, unless otherwise posted. Where will the permit requirement be enforced? The permit requirement will be enforced only on county and private land, but ATV patrols will ride through the entire system to enforce all rules and regulations. What are the fines for violating rules and regulations of the trail system? For riding without a permit, fines are $100 for the first offense and $200 and a one-year permit revocation for the second offense. Other fines are for riding on land outside trails ($250 for first offense, machine impounded thereafter), altering trails to create hazards ($250 for first offense, $500 thereafter), and violating traffic rules ($100 for first offense, $200 thereafter). LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 11

12 What about the Counties surrounding Lewis County? All of the surrounding counties are working toward the same goal as Lewis County. Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence are all in the process of creating an interconnected, Regional ATV trail system that will have connecting ATV trails from the Montezuma swamp in Wayne County, through Oswego County, to Brewerton, through the Winnona Forest into South Jefferson County, into Barnes Corners across Tug Hill, though Lewis County, to Highmarket, south to Boonville and Forestport, north through the Black River Valley, into Jefferson County and Carthage, back into Lewis County into Harrisville, to St. Lawrence County and all the way to their pilot ATV trail system. As these counties rise to the level of Lewis County, (which they are all working towards), they will join the permit system which will let riders ride from Brewerton to Vermont, spanning 7 or 8 counties, and possibly into Canada. All on your ATV. Imagine it. We are building it. This will be the largest ATV system in the northeast, traveling from community to community on trails and roads. This is why your support is needed, and a trail permit is needed to fund this regional system. Help us expand this system. Help us build and create off road trails. Help us give you a great place to ride with varied terrain, easy to technical trails, a play area to get muddy, and a managed, maintained, safe and patrolled ATV trail system. This is why you need a permit. NYS Vehicle and Traffic Laws S ATV safety course and safety certificate. 1. Safety course or courses. The commissioner shall establish a curriculum or curricula for an ATV safety training course or courses. Any such curriculum may include, but not be limited to, on-vehicle training and safe riding practices. The commissioner may establish different courses and curricula for different types of all terrain vehicles. The commissioner may permit any such safety training course to be given by any private person, club, association or municipality which meets standards established by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish a reasonable fee which any such person or entity may charge for such course or courses. 2. Safety certificate. Upon successful completion of a safety course given in conformity with subdivision one of this section by a person ten years of age or over, the person or entity which gave the course shall notify the commissioner of such completion in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, The commissioner shall, upon receipt of such information, issue an ATV safety certificate to the person who has successfully completed the course. Such certificate may be limited to the type of vehicle for which the course was given. 12 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

13 S Operation by minors. 1. Except as provided by subdivision two of this section, no person under the age of sixteen years shall operate an ATV except upon lands owned or leased by his parent or guardian, unless he is under general supervision of a person eighteen years of age or over or a person sixteen years of age or over who holds an ATV safety certificate. Leased lands as herein used shall not include lands leased by an organization of which said operator or his parent or guardian is a member. 2. A person ten years of age but less than sixteen years of age who has received safety training as prescribed by the commissioner and has received the appropriate ATV safety certificate issued by the commissioner may operate an ATV in the same manner as a person who is sixteen years of age or older. 3. The failure of a person to exhibit an ATV safety certificate upon demand to any magistrate or any other officer having authority to enforce the provisions of this article shall not be an offense, but shall be presumptive evidence that such person is not the holder 4. No parent or guardian shall authorize or knowingly permit his child or ward, if under sixteen years of age, to operate an ATV in violation of any provision of this article, any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or the provisions of any local law or ordinance. 5. No owner or other person in possession of any ATV shall authorize or knowingly permit any person under sixteen years of age to operate such an ATV in violation of any provision of this article, any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or the provisions of any local law or ordinance. Trail Permits Purchase and download online... visit LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 13

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16 16 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY HONDA ATVS - MOTORCYCLES GENERATORS PUMPS SNOWBLOWERS

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Little Known Facts of Lewis County 8 The Black River flows 42 miles through Lewis County and only drops 6 inches in elevation over these 42 miles 8 Largest wind farm east of the

the largest cow in NY State. 8 Taste the largest cheesecake at the Cream Cheese Festival in September.

21 Little Known Facts of Lewis County 8 The Black River flows 42 miles through Lewis County and only drops 6 inches in elevation over these 42 miles 8 Largest wind farm east of the Mississippi, generating 410 megawatts of power per year (enough to power 130,000 homes -- Lewis County has about 16,000 homes) Get your picture taken with Lady Luwinda Milksalot, the largest cow in NY State. 8 Taste the largest cheesecake at the Cream Cheese Festival in September. 8 Lewis County holds water releases for 5 weekends allowing stage 5 white water kayaking. 8 We offer free rustic camping at Stillwater Reservoir, canoeing into your sites. 8 Otter Creek has 65 miles of horse trails, 75 stalls and free camping LEWIS COUNTY ATV GUIDE 21

ATV Clubs Adirondack ATV Riders ~ Harrisville, NY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - http://www.adirondackatv.

22 ATV Clubs Adirondack ATV Riders ~ Harrisville, NY All County ATV Club ~ Montezuma, NY Black River Valley 4 - Wheeler Club, Inc ~ Brantingham, NY Black River Valley Riders ~ Carthage, NY Highmarket Wheelers ATV Club ~ Constableville, NY Northern Oneida County ATV Club ~ Boonville, NY NYTRO of Northern NY ~ Lorraine, NY Oswego Valley ATV Club ~ Hannibal, NY Tug Hill Wheelers ~ Copenhagen, NY Tughill Adirondack ATV Association ~ Constableville, NY West Leyden ATV Club ~ Turin, NY 22 ATV GUIDE LEWIS COUNTY

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Rule Governing the Designation and Establishment of All-Terrain Vehicle Use Trails on State Land

Rule Governing the Designation and Establishment of All-Terrain Vehicle Use Trails on State Land 1.0 Authority 1.1 This rule is promulgated pursuant to 23 V.S.A. 3506. Section 3506 (b)(4) states that an