DEC to Host Public Information Session

[Steve D]

DEC to Host Public Information Session on Habitat Management Plans for Conesus Inlet and Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Areas in Towns of Conesus and Richmond

Public Information Session on Tuesday, April 24 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the agency is hosting a public information session to provide information and answer questions about recently completed habitat management plans for Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area (WMA), in the town of Conesus, Livingston County, and Honeoye Creek WMA, in the town of Richmond, Ontario County. "DEC is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitats on both Conesus Inlet and Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Areas to benefit declining wildlife species and popular game animals," said DEC Regional Director Paul D'Amato. "We look forward to engaging with local residents about these habitat management plans and continuing to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation." The session will take place on Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the conference room at the DEC Region 8 Headquarters, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon. An open house is scheduled for 6:30 - 7 p.m., followed by a formal presentation. The DEC Region 8 Headquarters conference room is wheelchair accessible. Please contact DEC Biologist Michael Palermo at (585) 226-5383 with any specific requests for accommodations. Conesus Inlet WMA is directly south of Conesus Lake, and consists of 1,142 acres that are primarily wetland. Wetland habitats on the WMA are extensive and diverse, composed of emergent marsh, scrub-shrub swamp, and forested wetlands. Honeoye Creek WMA consists of 749 acres and habitats are primarily upland, composed of grassland and agricultural fields interspersed with hedgerows and fragmented patches of shrubland and forest. Approximately 100 acres of wetland also occur on Honeoye Creek WMA. Habitat management goals for the two WMAs are to maintain a diversity of wetland and upland habitats that benefit a wide range of resident and migrating wildlife species, including several rare and declining species. DEC will continue to actively manage these WMAs to benefit wildlife using best management practices. Planned management activities include: (1) timber harvests to improve forest health; (2) maintenance of wetland impoundments; (3) mowing and replanting grassland fields; and (4) controlling invasive plant species. The meeting will include a presentation about the history of management on these WMAs, specific activities and locations for planned management actions, a brief overview of DEC's Young Forest Initiative, and a question and answer period. The habitat management plan for Conesus Inlet WMA can be found on DEC's website. The habitat management plan for Honeoye Creek WMA can be found on DEC's website. For more information about this event please call (585) 226-5383.