Rules for Camping in New York State Forests

Title 6, Department of Environmental Conservation, Chapter II, Lands and Forests, Part 190, Use of State Lands

Synopsis: These are the full set of rules adopted by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation for camping within New York’s state forest system.

State Lands Generally

Section 190.0 - Introduction

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.0
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Part shall apply to all persons entering upon or using State lands under the department's jurisdiction that are administered by the Division of Lands and Forests, the Division of Operations, or both, including but not limited to such lands as unique areas, State forests, reforestation areas, multiple use areas, forest preserve, conservation areas, natural resource management areas, preserves, campgrounds and environmentally sensitive lands, and to those rights owned and managed by the State as conservation easements as defined in section 190.12 of this Part.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Chapter, the following words shall have the indicated meanings:

(1) Bicycle shall mean a vehicle with two or more wheels, a steering handle, a saddle seat, or seats and pedals by which it is propelled.

(2) Camp shall mean any form of temporary shelter, including but not limited to a tent, motor home travel trailer, mobile home, or the use of any vehicle for shelter or sleeping.

(3) Commissioner shall mean the State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation.

(4) Conservation easement means an easement, covenant, restriction or other interest in real property, which limits or restricts development, management or use of such real property for the purpose of preserving or maintaining the scenic, open, historic, archaeological, architectural, or natural condition, character, significance or amenities of the real property in a manner consistent with the public policy and purpose set forth in section 49-0301 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

(5) Department means the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

(6) Environmentally sensitive lands means State lands of exceptional scenic beauty, exceptional forest character, open space, pine barrens, trailways, unique character or public access acquired under the authority of section 52-0701 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

(7) Mechanically propelled vessel shall mean any boat or other vessel for transporting personnel, supplies or material on water, which incorporates a motor or engine of any type for propulsion.

(8) Motor vehicle shall mean a device for transporting personnel, supplies or material incorporating a motor or an engine of any type for propulsion, and with wheels, tracks, skids, skis, air cushion or other contrivance for traveling on or adjacent to land, water or ice. It shall include such vehicles as automobiles, trucks, jeeps, all-terrain vehicles, duffel carriers, snowcats, bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment, but shall not include snowmobiles.

(9) Motorized equipment means machines not designed for transporting people, supplies or material, or for earth moving but incorporating a motor, engine or other nonliving power source to accomplish a task, such as, but not limited to, chain saws, brush saws, rotary or other mowers, rock drills, cement mixers, and generators.

(10) Person with a disability for the purposes of this Part shall mean a person with a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.

(11) Public campgrounds means any intensive use area designated as a public campground, operated by the Department of Environmental Conservation, where a user fee is collected for public use. Public campgrounds also include the following special facilities: Lake George Beach Park, Lake George Battlefield Park, Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, Fourth Lake Picnic Area and Hinckley Reservoir Picnic Area.

(12) Self-issuing permit means a department form which is filled out by visitors at trailhead register boxes or is issued by a department employee, the original of which is deposited in the register box and a copy of which is carried by the visitor. Such permits may include information on rules and regulations, safety, and general backcountry guidelines.

(13) Structure shall mean any object or improvement constructed, installed or placed on State lands, including but not limited to trails, roads, bridges, ramps, buildings, sheds, lean-tos, picnic tables, monuments, memorials, permanent tree stands or permanent hunting blinds, posts, rails, handrails, steps, fences, pipelines, oil, gas and other well structures, septic systems, fuel tanks, utility lines, including but not limited to telephone, electric and cable, mobile homes, campers, trailers, signs, docks and dams, except that tents, campers, temporary blinds and other temporary objects related to authorized recreational activities shall not be considered structures for the purposes of this definition, provided that such objects are in compliance with rules and regulations governing such activities on State lands.

(14) Unique area means State lands acquired under the authority of section 51-0701(3) of the Environmental Conservation Law.

(15) Wilderness area means a unit of State land in the Adirondack Park or Catskill Park which is classified as wilderness by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan or Catskill Park State Land Master Plan, respectively.

Section 190.1 - Fire

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.1
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) No fires are permitted except for cooking, warmth or smudge. No fire shall be lit until all flammable material has been removed from its perimeter as is necessary to prevent its spread. No fires shall be left unattended until extinguished.

(b) No person shall deposit lighted matches, cigars, cigarettes or other burning tobacco where they will cause fire.

(c) No wood, except from dead and down trees or from supplies furnished by the department, shall be used for fuel.

Section 190.2 - Official signs and structures

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.2
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) No person shall deface, mutilate or destroy any department sign, structure, barrier or object.

(b) No person shall throw, dump, deposit or place or cause to be thrown, dumped, deposited or placed on or in any department lands or structures any refuse, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter or any nauseous or offensive matter.

Section 190.3 - Camping sites

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.3
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Areas used for temporary camping and adjacent lands under the jurisdiction of the department must be kept in a neat, clean and sanitary condition. Garbage and refuse must either be deposited in receptacles provided, or removed.

(b) Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water except at camping areas designated by the department.

(c) No person may pollute in any manner nor deposit waste material of any kind in or on waters under the jurisdiction of the department.

(d) Except in an emergency, or during the period December 15 to April 30 each year in the Adirondack Park, or during the period December 21 to March 21 each year in the Catskill Park, no person may camp on lands under the jurisdiction of the department which are located at an elevation in excess of 4,000 feet above sea level in the Adirondack Park or in excess of 3,500 feet above sea level in the Catskill Park.

(e) Except in an emergency, no open fires are permitted on lands under the jurisdiction of the department which are located at an elevation in excess of 4,000 feet above sea level in the Adirondack Park or in excess of 3,500 feet above sea level in the Catskill Park.

(f) No person other than a qualified person with a disability and that person's associated camping group, shall occupy any camping site that the department has designated as "reserved" for use by persons with disabilities. Eligibility records for determination of qualification shall include: a valid temporary revocable permit for motor vehicle access for persons with disabilities or a non-ambulatory hunting permit as issued by the department, a handicapped parking permit issued pursuant to section 1203-a of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, an access pass issued by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation or an equivalent certification of disability.

Section 190.4 - Camping permits

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.4
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Temporary camping in one location for four nights or more is prohibited except under permit. Except during the big game hunting season, no temporary camping permit will be issued to any person for a period in excess of 14 consecutive nights. No temporary camping permit may be renewed, or a new permit issued, to the same person for the same location in the same calendar year.

(b) Temporary camping is restricted in certain posted areas and no person may camp on such areas without a permit.

(c) Upon termination of camping all equipment and supplies must be removed from State land. The storage of personal property on State lands is prohibited.

(d) No temporary camping permits will be issued to individuals under 18 years of age.

(e) No group of 10 or more individuals may camp on State lands at any time except under permit.

Section 190.5 - Permissible structures

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.5
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Permits for the erection of permanent tent platforms and/or lean-tos (open camps) will not be issued by the department under any condition. No person shall erect a tent platform or lean-to (open camp).

(b) The transfer of existing lean-tos (open camps) will not be permitted under any condition.

(c) Current permits for lean-tos (open camps) will be cancelled:

(1) upon the death of the permittee;

(2) when the permittee no longer desires to continue to use and maintain the structure;

(3) when as a result of an inspection the lean-to is found to be deteriorated or does not meet department specifications and the condition is not rectified within a reasonable time.

(d) Any of the above structures heretofore erected in accordance with department standard plans are and shall remain the property of the State.

(e) Temporary wooden platforms may be erected in connection with any tent camping permit but shall be removed at the expiration of the permit. No person shall erect tar paper or plastic structures of any sort.

(f) Portable canvas houses with or without platforms are permitted under general camping permits.

(g) Camping permits granted under subdivision (a) of section 190.4 of this Part will permit the use of tents without platforms or on temporary wooden platforms. When occupied for more than three successive nights, permits for the use of a lean-to (open camp) shall be secured in accordance with subdivision (a) of section 190.4 of this Part and the department may grant similar permits to persons other than the builder when not occupied by him under permit.

Section 190.6 - Open camps

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.6
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Open camps (lean-tos) may not be occupied by the same person or persons for more than three successive nights or for more than 10 nights in any one calendar year, provided others wish to use such camps.

(b) The enclosure of the fronts of open camps is prohibited, except by tying canvas or nylon tarpaulins in place or erecting snow walls. The use of wood, nails, screws or other fasteners is prohibited.

(c) The erection of tents in open camps is prohibited.

Section 190.7 - Public campgrounds

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.7
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Applicability. The following sections of this Part apply to persons using public campgrounds under the jurisdiction of the department unless specified otherwise in this section: 190.0, 190.1, 190.2, 190.8 and 190.9. The following additional requirements apply to public campgrounds and in the event of a conflict, these specific regulations will control:

(1) All persons entering a public campground for any purpose must register with the facility supervisor or his designated representative.

(2) All persons who are camping will occupy and place equipment only on the site assigned by the facility supervisor or his designated representative.

(3) Firearms may be possessed on the public campground only during the spring and fall hunting seasons. Unless otherwise posted, no discharge of firearms is permitted.

(4) Except for fires in stoves, all fires in public campgrounds must be built in the fireplaces provided for that purpose.

(5) Swimming on any public campground bathing area is prohibited from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.

(6) All persons camping on a public campground must obtain a camping permit from the facility supervisor or his designated representative. No person under 18 years of age shall apply for, or be issued a camping permit. Permittees must produce adequate identification and proof of age upon demand and furnish the full names of all persons in the camping party. The person to whom the camping permit is issued is responsible for the conduct of all persons under 18 years of age in the party and is liable for any violations of campground rules and regulations committed by any member of the party under 18 years of age. No person under 18 years of age shall be permitted to camp unless they are accompanied and supervised during their stay by a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has signed the permit for the camping party of which such person under 18 years of age is a member.

(7) The playing of athletic games or the engaging in other activities of a rough or boisterous nature is prohibited except on designated game areas.

(8) No person shall fail to comply with a lawful instruction of an employee of the department.

(9) No water toys, tubes or floating devices will be permitted on the designated bathing areas of any campground or in the water with the exception of Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices.

(10) All animals, except household pets and horses, are prohibited on public campgrounds when the campground is open. Horses are only allowed on designated areas. Household pets are not permitted on bathing areas or in picnic areas or structures at any time. When harbored or possessed in camping sections, pets must be confined on a leash or otherwise confined to restrict them to the campsite area of the owner. Pets cannot be left unattended. Disruptive or vicious animals must be removed from the campground. Dogs may be walked on a leash no more than 6 feet long, provided they are under control at all times. The owner must also properly dispose of the animal's excrement. Proof of a valid rabies inoculation for dogs is required.

(11) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any portion of any campground at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit, and no person shall fail to comply with any traffic control sign or device within the recreational facility, not shall vehicles of any kind be allowed to park or stand on any roadway within the campground.

(12) Quiet must be observed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

(13) The possession of alcoholic beverages or glass containers of any kind on campground bathing beaches is prohibited.

(14) The changing into or out of bathing suits or any clothing which would require completely undressing is prohibited except in fully enclosed tents, in house trailers, in motor homes or in bathhouses provided for the purpose.

(15) Camping permits at the public campgrounds will be issued for periods not in excess of 14 nights and may be renewed depending upon availability of sites. At Rollins Pond Public Campground and Bear Spring Mountain Public Campground the department may elect to permit seasonal camping.

(16) Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, no person under 21 years of age shall possess alcoholic beverages within any campground. Persons age 21 or over who possess or consume alcoholic beverages must produce adequate identification and proof of age upon demand by the campground facility supervisor, park ranger or any peace or police officer.

(17) Any use of a public campground by any person who is not a member of a camping party is day-use. Day-use shall be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted. No day-users are allowed in recreational facilities between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

(18) The possession of fireworks of any nature within a public campground is prohibited.

(19) No person shall sell or offer for sale any articles, commodities or services within a public campground without a permit from the department.

(20) No boat or other watercraft of any type will be allowed within the bathing area at a public campground. No boat or other watercraft of any type shall be launched or beached within the campground except at points designated for that purpose.

(21) Violation of any provision of this Part shall be grounds to remove the violator from the campground and deny the violator use of the facility. Any person so denied shall not be entitled to any refund of fees or to future use of the facility within one week of denial.

(b) For the purpose of this subdivision, the term Lake George Islands Public Campground means all State-owned islands and developed day-use and camping areas on the mainland at Black Mountain Point, Red Rock Bay, Commission Point and Black Mountain shoreline. At Lake George Islands Public Campground, the following additional regulations apply:

(1) No dogs, except for Seeing Eye dogs in actual use, are permitted on State lands, docks, or on vessels moored at docks, comprising the Lake George Islands Public Campground.

(2) Boats will not be permitted overnight mooring at State docks located adjacent to picnic areas without obtaining a camping permit and prior approval from the facility supervisor or his representative. Permission will only be granted under permit if regular tent sites or cruiser docks are not available. Parties granted permission to moor overnight at picnic area docks will be subject to a service charge and will be required to vacate the dockage by 9 a.m. of the next morning.

(c) At Lake George Battlefield Park, the following additional regulations apply:

(1) Hunting, trapping or possessing firearms on any portion of the Lake George Battlefield Park is prohibited at all times.

(2) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any portion of the Lake George Battlefield Park at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour, nor shall any person operate a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour on that portion of the Fort George Park County Road No. 20A, commonly known as the Dowling Road, lying within the Lake George Battlefield Park, nor shall any vehicle of any nature be parked or allowed to stand on the pavement or shoulders of this portion of the road.

(3) Unless otherwise permitted, there shall be no overnight camping on any portion of the Lake George Battlefield Park or adjoining State lands.

(4) Any person who possesses a household pet on the Lake George Battlefield Park shall keep such animal on a leash or otherwise confined at all times.

(d) At Lake George Beach Park, the following additional regulations apply:

(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any park road or parking area at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour, nor shall any vehicle of any kind be allowed to park or stand on any roadway within the park.

(2) Household pets are permitted only in the parking field, on the roadways and on the through walkway provided they are kept on leash or otherwise confined at all times.

(3) Swimming in the park or in the water adjacent thereto is prohibited from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.

(e) Saranac Lake Public Campground. The State-owned islands and shoreline, to a point 1,000 feet landward from the water's edge of Lower Saranac Lake, the Saranac River from Lower Saranac Lake to and including First Pond and Second Pond, not including the public access to the Saranac waterway located on Second Pond, shall be designated the Saranac Lake Public Campground.

(f) For the purpose of this subdivision, Rollins Pond Public Campground means those forest preserve lands lying and situated in the Town of Santa Clara, Franklin County and consisting of the State-owned lands on the eastern shore of Rollins Pond within 300 feet horizontal distance from the high-water mark of Rollins Pond.

(1) No person who is a registered or permitted user of the Rollins Pond Public Campground shall launch any mechanically propelled vessel powered by a motor with a rating of greater than 25 horsepower from the boat launching site at said pond.

Section 190.8 - General

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.8
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) The use of State lands or any structures or improvements thereon for private revenue or commercial purposes is prohibited, except as authorized by section 190.7 of this Title and Environmental Conservation Law, sections 9-0505, 9-0507 and article 11. This subdivision does not apply to the exercise of rights of fee owners of private lands subject to conservation easements.

(b) Except in an emergency, no mechanically propelled vessel equipped with living quarters shall be anchored or moored to (1) State land above water except under permit from the department, or (2) State land under water for a period in excess of 24 hours. The permit and the 24-hour period referred to hereinabove may be terminated by the department in the event that the vessel operator fails to comply with any provision of the Navigation Law of the State of New York or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or anchors, moors, or otherwise maintains such vessel in such a manner as to create a hazard to navigation.

(c) No boat of any kind shall be tied up or otherwise fastened to any State dock so as to prevent free access to such structure.

(d) The use of toboggans, sleds and snowmobiles on ski trails and ski slopes is prohibited.

(e) Any tent or other camping structure left unoccupied for more than 48 hours may be taken down or removed by the department.

(f) The sale of all alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all State lands at any time except by concessionaires and then only when such sales are provided for in concession agreements.

(g) No person shall deface, remove, destroy or otherwise injure in any manner whatsoever any tree, flower, shrub, fern, fungi or other plant like organisms, moss or other plant, rock, soil, fossil or mineral or object of archaeological or paleontological interest found or growing on State land, except for personal consumption or under permit from the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation and the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to section 233 of the Education Law.

(h) Gambling for money or any other valuable thing upon any State land is prohibited.

(i) No person shall erect or post any notice or sign upon State land at any time.

(j) No person shall, while on State land or waters under the jurisdiction of the department:

(1) intentionally obstruct, prevent or attempt to prevent any officers or employees of the department from performing their legal duties, by means of intimidation, physical force, interference or disobedience of any lawful order or by means of any independently unlawful act;

(2) intentionally expose the private or intimate parts of his or her body in a lewd manner;

(3) obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly create a risk;

(4) engage in fighting or violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior; or

(5) engage in any other activity which violates the Penal Law.

(k) No person shall operate a vehicle on any State truck trail or road maintained by the Department of Environmental Conservation on State reforestation areas at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour.

(l) No motor vehicle towing, pushing, or hauling a trailer will be permitted access to the Fourth Lake picnic area. The launching of boats other than those carried on cartops is prohibited.

(m) Use of motor vehicles on State land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Conservation outside the forest preserve is prohibited, except where specifically permitted by posted notice or by permit issued by the department. Use of motor vehicles within the forest preserve is governed by Part 196 of this Chapter.

(n) The riding, driving or leading of horses will be permitted anywhere on State lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Conservation unless otherwise prohibited by law, regulation, posted notice or this subdivision. No person shall ride or permit a horse on:

(1) land devoted to intensively developed facilities, such as boat launch sites, day use areas, campsites, ski centers, education centers, fish hatcheries, game farms or headquarters complexes, and lands managed for public safety, such as flood control levees;

(2) foot trails, except where such trails are part of a publicly maintained road, or are specifically designated to allow travel by horses thereon; and

(3) designated snowmobile trails and cross-country ski trails that are covered with ice or snow.

(o) No person shall use any portion of State lands for agricultural purposes, including but not limited to the grazing of cattle or domestic animals of any kind thereon, unless he has obtained a permit from the department.

(p) No person shall fail to comply with the instructions contained on a sign of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

(q) Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, no person under 21 years of age shall possess alcoholic beverages. Persons age 21 or over who possess alcoholic beverages must produce adequate identification and proof of age upon demand of any peace or police officer.

(r) No person shall operate or possess a snowmobile on forest access roads, truck trails, roads, trails or other areas on State lands outside of the forest preserve which are posted or designated by the department as closed to snowmobile use.

(s) No person shall operate or possess a bicycle on forest access roads, truck trails, roads, trails or other areas on State lands outside of the forest preserve which are posted or designated by the department as closed to bicycle use.

(t) Operation of mechanically propelled vessels.

(1) No person shall operate or possess a mechanically propelled vessel other than an electric powered vessel on State lands outside the forest preserve on the following bodies of water:

(2) No person shall operate an inboard or outboard motor rated at greater than 25 horsepower on State lands outside the forest preserve on the following body of water:

(u) No person shall enter or remain upon or use any forest access road, truck trail, road, trail, facility or any other area on State lands that are posted or designated by the department as closed to public use.

(v) No person shall set, light, use or maintain a fire or campfire of any kind on State lands which are posted or designated by the department to prohibit campfires. Under no circumstances are campfires allowed on any forest access road, truck trail, road, trail or parking area on State lands.

(w) No person shall erect, construct, install, maintain, store, discard or abandon any structure or any other property on State lands or subsequently use such structure or property on State lands, except if the structure or property is authorized by the department or is:

(1) a geocache that is labeled with the owner's name and address and installed in a manner that does not disturb the natural conditions of the site or injure a tree;

(2) a camping structure or equipment that is placed and used legally pursuant to this Part;

(3) a legally placed trap or appurtenance that is placed and used during trapping season;

(4) a tree stand or hunting blind that does not injure a tree, is properly marked or tagged with the owner's name and address or valid hunting or fishing license number, and is placed and used during big game season, migratory game bird season, or turkey season; or

(5) a wildlife viewing blind or stand that is placed for a duration not to exceed 30 days in one location per calendar year, does not injure a tree, and is properly marked or tagged with the owner's name and address or valid hunting or fishing license number.

(x) On State lands, no person shall erect, construct, occupy or maintain any structure that is affixed to a tree by nails, screws or other means that injure or damage the tree except as otherwise authorized by the department.

(y) No person shall erect, construct, maintain, occupy or use any tree stand that is used, operated, accessed or reached by methods or means which injure or damage a tree on State lands, and no person shall gain access to any structure in a tree on State lands by means that injure or damage the tree.

(z) No person shall drive a trailer or motor vehicle, including the wheels thereof, into a body of water to launch or retrieve a vessel on State lands which the department has posted or designated as closed to trailer launching of boats.

(aa) The commissioner may prohibit campfires or the use of liquid or gaseous fuel camping stoves or lamps on State lands during periods of high fire danger.

(ab) No person shall possess breakable targets, including but not limited to clay pigeons, on State lands and no person shall target shoot at breakable targets, including but not limited to clay pigeons and glass containers, on State lands. Unless legally engaged in the act of hunting, no person shall discharge firearms on State lands posted or designated as closed to target shooting.

(ac) On State lands, no person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in any organized event of more than 20 people unless otherwise authorized by the department. Examples of organized events include, but are not limited to: sponsored hikes; archery and fishing tournaments; snowmobile, bicycle, horse and orienteering races, runs, rides or competitions (including biathlons and triathlons); encampments; and re-enactments.

(ad) No person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in any research project on State lands except under permit from the department. Examples of research include, but are not limited to, population studies, collection of scientific samples, placement of scientific instruments, seismic exploration and archaeological studies. This subdivision shall not apply to bird population data collection such as, but not limited, to Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the USGS Breeding Bird Survey and Cornell Lab of Ornithology's e-Bird database; nor shall it apply to any other research exempted by the department in writing on a case by case basis.

(ae) On State lands, no person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in: advertising, weddings, commercial film making activities or film making activities that exclude other public use of the area, and other similar events, except under permit from the department.

(af) No person shall possess paint balls or paint ball guns on State lands, and no person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in any activities associated with the discharging of paint balls on State lands.

Section 190.9 - Use of pesticides on state lands

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.9
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) No pesticide shall be applied to any State land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Conservation except by written authorization from the department.

(b) This section shall not apply to the use of pesticides within the confines of a tent, trailer or other shelter site located on lands owned by the State, or to pesticides applied directly to the person.

Section 190.10 - Unique areas

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.10
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Applicability. All unique areas are posted as such; descriptions of each unique area are available at the central and regional offices of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Specific regulations for individual unique areas are set forth in the following subdivisions of this section and supersede the general regulations enumerated in this Part in the event of a conflict.

(b) Labrador Hollow unique area. Those lands in the Town of Fabius, Onondaga County and the Town of Truxton, Cortland County described in "Boundary Description of Labrador Hollow Unique Area" on file in the central and region 7 offices of the department.

(1) bathing or swimming is prohibited;

(2) boat launching is permitted only from the designated area;

(3) motorized boats are prohibited;

(4) fires are prohibited;

(5) camping is prohibited;

(6) snowmobiling is prohibited;

(7) domestic animals must be under the complete control of their owner/handler;

(8) hunting and trapping are prohibited within zone 1. Fishing is permitted from boats and canoes on the pond, but is prohibited from the shoreline unless from a designated area. Zone 1 includes all the lands within the following bounds: Beginning at the intersection of the north bounds of Markham Hollow Road and the west bounds of Labrador Road; thence southerly along the west bounds of Labrador Road to the county line between the counties of Onondaga and Cortland; thence easterly along the county line to the west shore of Labrador Pond; thence along the shoreline of Labrador Pond in a southerly, easterly and northerly direction to the intersection of the east shore of Labrador Pond with the county line; thence easterly along the county line to the west bounds of Route 91; thence southerly along the west bounds of Route 91 to a point approximately 1,000 feet southerly of the point where Tinkers Falls Creek crosses Route 91; thence easterly to the east bounds of the unique area; thence northerly along the east boundary to the northeast corner of the unique area; thence westerly, southerly and westerly along the northern boundary of the unique area to the easterly boundary of Route 91; thence southerly along the easterly boundary of Route 91 to its intersection with the northerly bounds of Markham Hollow Road; thence westerly along the northern boundary of Markham Hollow Road to the point of beginning. This zone includes Labrador Pond in its entirety, the wetland walkway site, the Finger Lakes Trail, and Tinkers Falls. Zone 2 includes the remainder of the unique area; and

(9) all hunting, fishing and trapping are permitted within zone 2. Zone 2 includes the remainder of the unique area.

(c) Neversink River unique area. All lands owned by the People of the State of New York lying and situated in the Towns of Thompson and Forestburgh and abutting that reach of the Neversink River from its confluence with Mercer Brook south to the Sullivan-Orange county line.

(1) fires are prohibited at all times;

(2) camping is prohibited;

(3) rock climbing, the riding or other use of horses, swimming and hang gliding are prohibited;

(4) the launching of mechanically propelled vessels from the area is prohibited;

(5) parking of motor vehicles permitted in designated sites only;

(6) all users of the area shall comply with all official department signs, including any signs indicating a restricted area to which entry by members of the public is prohibited;

(7) canoes, kayaks, and floats may be portaged only at designated locations;

(8) the area is open for public entry and use only from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset;

(9) the use of snowmobiles is prohibited; and

(10) the defacement, destruction or removal of any State property from the area is prohibited.

(d) Zoar Valley unique area. Specific regulations for Zoar Valley unique area are included in section 190.25 of this Part.

(e) Salmon River Falls unique area. Description: For the purposes of this section, Salmon River Falls unique area refers to all those State lands lying and situated in the Town of Orwell, Oswego County, being a portion of lots 73 and 74 of Township 11 of Constable's Purchase, the same lands as more particularly described as project "OS - Oswego 95.08, Salmon River Falls Parcel" in liber 1237 of deeds on pages 215, 216 and 217. Said Salmon River Falls unique area shall be hereinafter referred to in this section as "area."

(1) The area is closed to any and all public use of any kind between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

(2) The possession of alcoholic beverages, glass containers, except for prescription medications and paint are prohibited on the area.

(3) Campfires and rock climbing are prohibited on the area.

(4) No person shall throw or cast any object or item into the river gorge on the area.

(5) Motorized vehicles, snowmobiles and horses are prohibited on the area.

(6) A restricted area has been established which includes the cliff face of the waterfalls and adjacent gorge; a 15 foot strip along the cliff edge; the plunge pool and falling rock zone. All public access is prohibited in the restricted area.

(7) The Gorge Trail is closed to the public from November 15th to May 1st, except to registered ice climbers.

(8) The Gorge Trail, Riverbed Trail and Upper Falls Trail is closed during high water events.

(f) Henderson Shores unique area. Description: for the purposes of this section, Henderson Shores unique area, referred to in this section as the area, means all those State lands located in Jefferson County in the Town of Henderson, on portions of lots 15, 16, 26, 27, 36 and 37, Black River Tract, Township No. 6, Constable's Eleven Towns, Great Tract No. 5, Macomb's Purchase.

(1) All camping shall be prohibited.

(2) The area shall be closed to public use between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

(3) All campfires are prohibited.

(4) No person shall possess glass containers.

(g) Croton Gorge Unique Area. Description: For the purposes of this section, Croton Gorge Unique Area, referred to in this section as "the area", means all those state lands located in Westchester County in the Town of Cortlandt, in a portion of the Cortlandt Patent.

(1) All camping shall be prohibited.

(2) Public use of the property will be allowed from sunrise to sunset only.

(3) The use of any type of fire shall be prohibited including the use of charcoal or gas grills.

(4) Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited.

(5) No person shall play a musical instrument or audio device, including, but not limited to radios, tape players, compact disc or digital players, unless the noise is rendered inaudible to the public by personal noise-damping devices such as headphones or earbuds.

(h) Onondaga Escarpment Unique Area. Those state lands situated in the Town of Newstead, Erie County, recorded in Liber 10369 on page 72 and being a portion of lots 40, 43 and 44 of Township 12, range 5 and more particularly described as "Project: E-UC Erie 18" (Map No. 10688), on file in the central and regional offices of the department.

(1) fires are prohibited at all times, except prescribed fires as directed by the department;

(2) bathing and swimming are prohibited;

(3) camping is prohibited;

(4) snowmobile use is prohibited;

(5) parking of motor vehicles is permitted only in designated sites;

(6) discharging of a firearm is prohibited except as authorized under 190.10(h)(7);

(7) hunting and trapping are prohibited, except by authorized permit issued by the department;

(8) off-road vehicle use is prohibited;

(9) the area is open for public entry and use only from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset;

(10) the riding, driving, or leading of horses is prohibited.

(i) Rush Oak Openings Unique Area (Monroe #1).

Description: For the purposes of this section, Rush Oak Openings Unique Area refers to the portions of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase in Townships 25, 26, and 36 in Ranges 7, located in the Finger Lakes Region, approximately 12 miles south of the City of Rochester. The property includes three small parcels, totaling approximately 240 acres in the Town of Rush, in Monroe County, being the same lands as more particularly described in deeds conveying such lands to the People of the State of New York, on file in the Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY, and duly recorded in the offices of the county clerks of Monroe County. In the Rush Oak Openings Unique Area:

(1) utilizing fire, except prescribed fires as directed by the department is prohibited;

(2) camping is prohibited;

(3) operating or possessing a snowmobile is prohibited;

(4) introducing, using, or maintaining a horse, work animal or other herbivorous animal is prohibited;

(5) parking a motor vehicle other than at a designated parking area is prohibited;

(6) discharging a firearm except, for the legal taking of game is prohibited.

Amended New York State Register July 13, 2016/Volume XXXVIII, Issue 28, eff. 7/13/2016

Amended New York State Register December 1, 2021/Volume XLIII, Issue 48, eff. 12/1/2021

Amended New York State Register May 24, 2023/Volume XLV, Issue 21, eff. 5/24/2023

Section 190.11 - Environmentally sensitive lands

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.11
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Applicability. Unless specified otherwise in this section, the following sections of this Part apply to persons using environmentally sensitive lands under the jurisdiction of the department's Lands and Forests Division--sections 190.0 -190.9 of this Part.

Section 190.12 - Conservation easements

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.12
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Applicability.

This section applies only to conservation easement lands to which the public has a right of access. Unless specified otherwise in this section, the following sections of this Part apply to persons using conservation easement lands under the jurisdiction of the department's Lands and Forests Division: sections 190.0, 190.1, 190.2, 190.3, 190.4 and 190.8.

(b) General.

Unless specified otherwise in this section, the following regulations also apply to persons using conservation easement lands.

(1) No person shall deface, mutilate, remove or destroy any sign or structure of the landowner, lessee or the department.

(2) No person shall erect any sign, structure, gate, barrier or other improvement unless specifically authorized in the conservation easement.

(3) No person other than the landowner, its invitees, or lessees, or the department shall operate a motor vehicle or snowmobile on any roads or trails except those roads and trails posted for such use.

(4) No person other than the landowner, its invitees, or lessees, or the department shall occupy any structure except in conjunction with temporary camping.

(c) Specific regulations for individual conservation easement lands are set forth in the following subdivisions of this section and supersede the above general regulations in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section in the event of a conflict.

(d) Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper.

Conservation easements have been acquired over the following three parcels of land as follows:

(1) North Lake Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Ohio, Herkimer County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated May 25, 1990 and recorded in Herkimer County on May 29, 1990 in Liber 775 of Deeds, page 600, and subsequently assigned to The People of the State of New York acting through the department by assignment dated December 19, 1990 and recorded in Herkimer County on January 17, 1991 in Liber 782 of Deeds, page 668.

(2) John Brown Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County and the Town of Croghan, Lewis County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated May 25, 1990 and recorded in Herkimer County on May 29, 1990 in Liber 775 of Deeds, page 663, in Lewis County on May 25, 1990 in Liber 521 of Deeds, page 209, and in Oneida County on May 29, 1990 in Liber 2528 of Deeds, page 301, and subsequently assigned to The People of the State of New York acting through the department by assignment dated December 19, 1990 and recorded in Herkimer County on January 17, 1991 in Liber 782 of Deeds, page 668; in Lewis County on January 17, 1991 in Liber 531 of Deeds, page 137, and in Oneida County on January 17, 1991 in Liber 2566 of Deeds, page 265.

(3) Three Lakes Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated May 25, 1990 and recorded in Herkimer County on May 29, 1990 in Liber 775 of Deeds, page 571, and subsequently assigned to The People of the State of New York acting through the department by assignment dated December 19, 1990 and recorded in Herkimer County on January 17, 1991 in Liber 782 of Deeds, page 668.

(4) Definitions.
(i) Landowner shall mean Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper, Inc. or its successors or assigns.

(ii) Motor vehicle shall mean automobiles, trucks, vans, jeeps, busses and mobile camping units but does not include all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, bulldozers, skidders, timber harvesters, or other mechanized devices used for the harvest of forest products.

(5) Prohibitions.

(i) Parking is prohibited on these lands except at designated parking areas.

(ii) No person other than the department or landowner in conjunction with administrative duties shall operate an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle on the lands described in this section at any time.

(iii) The use of aircraft or motorized watercraft for the purpose of ingress or egress on the following bodies of water is prohibited:

(iv) No person shall enter into any area which is posted closed by the landowner for the purpose of forest management activities, except:

(a) for traversing certain department marked and maintained trails found in areas designated as buffer zones; or

(b) for walk-in camping in the buffer zones around Hardscrabble Lake on the North Lake Tract; Gull Lake on the John Brown Tract and Hitchcock Pond, Grass Pond, Moose Pond and Blue Pond on the Three Lakes Tract.

(v) The lessees on the five-acre reservation on the Three Lakes Tract and on the five-acre reservation on the J. P. Lewis Tract are subject to these regulations except that the lessees may engage in activities permitted by their lease.

(vi) Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, no person under 21 years of age shall possess alcoholic beverages.

(vii) The occupancy of designated primitive campsites will be limited to a maximum of three tents and eight people.

(viii) Open fires for any purpose are prohibited in harvested areas for a period of three years following the completion of harvesting.

(e) Yorkshire Timber.

A conservation easement has been acquired over the following land:

(1) Those lands located in the Towns of Piercefield, Clifton and Colton, St. Lawrence County by deed from Yorkshire Timber to The People of the State of New York dated December 19, 1990 and recorded January 14, 1991 at Book 1046 of Deeds, page 666 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(2) Definition.
Landowner shall mean Yorkshire Timber Company or its successors assigns or lessees.

(3) Prohibitions.
(i) No person other than the landowner, its invitee or its lessee shall hunt during the period of September 1st through December 31st each year until after December 31, 2004.

(ii) No person other than the landowner, its invitee, its lessee or the department shall operate a motor vehicle or snowmobile except on roads or trails specifically posted for such use; enter onto the property during the period beginning with the opening of the rifle season for deer and ending after December 31st each year until December 31, 2004; or enter into a closure zone posted by the landowner for logging purposes.

(f) Lassiter Properties.

Conservation easements have been acquired over the following lands:

(1) Aldrich East-Bald Mountain-Blue Swamp Tract.
Those lands located in the Towns of Croghan and Diana, Lewis County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy by a deed dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 in Book 504, page 267 in the Lewis County Clerk's Office and by a subsequent assignment from The Nature Conservancy to The People of the State of New York dated June 12, 1989 and recorded June 15, 1989 at Book 509 of Deeds, page 310 in the Lewis County Clerk's office.

(2) Kildare North and Kildare South.
Those lands located in the Towns of Colton and Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 at Book 1025 of Deeds, page 812 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office and by the subsequent assignment from The Nature Conservancy to The People of the State of New York dated June 12, 1989 and recorded June 15, 1989 at Book 1030, page 16 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(3) Roaring Brook Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Colton, St. Lawrence County by the Deed from Lassiter to The People of the State of New York dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 at Book 1025 of Deeds, page 874 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(4) Aldrich Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 at Book 1025 of Deeds, page 814 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office and by the subsequent assignment of The Nature Conservancy to The People of the State of New York dated June 12, 1989 and recorded June 15, 1989 at Book 1030 of Deeds, page 16 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(5) Preston Lot.
Those lands located in the Town of Parishville, St. Lawrence County by the conveyance to The Nature Conservancy dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 at Book 1025, page 812 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office and by the subsequent assignment from The Nature Conservancy to The People of the State of New York dated June 12, 1989 and recorded June 15, 1989 at Book 1030 of Deeds, page 16 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(6) Webb-Beers and Cool Brook Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Edwards, St. Lawrence County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 at Book 1025 of Deeds, page 812 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office and by the subsequent assignment by the Nature Conservancy to The People of the State of New York dated June 12, 1989 and recorded June 15, 1989 at Book 1030 of Deeds, page 16 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(7) Cranberry Pond Tract.
Those lands located in the Town of Edwards, St. Lawrence County by indenture to The Nature Conservancy dated December 23, 1988 and recorded December 30, 1988 at Book 1025 of Deeds, page 812 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office and by the subsequent assignment by The Nature Conservancy to The People of the State of New York dated June 12, 1989 and recorded June 15, 1989 at Book 1030 of Deeds, page 16 in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's office.

(8) Definitions.

(i) Landowner shall mean Lassiter Properties, Inc. or its successors or assigns, leasees or invitees.

(ii) Vehicle shall mean all motor vehicles, bicycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and other similar forms of transport.

(9) Prohibitions.
(i) No person shall expand or extend any existing structures, out-buildings, facilities, or dams or construct new ones.

(ii) No person shall operate a vehicle at any location other than on roads existing as of the date of the recording of the easement or roads constructed by the department, except the landowner when involved in business activities.

(iii) No person other than the landowner, its invitee or its lessee shall hunt during the period of September 1st through December 31st each year until after December 31, 2019.

(iv) No person other than the landowner, its invitee or its lessee or the department shall enter onto a closure zone posted by the landowner for logging purposes.

(g) Otetiana Council, Inc. B.S.A.

A conservation easement has been acquired over the following land:

(1) Those lands located in the Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County by deed from Otetiana Council, Inc. B.S.A. to The People of the State of New York dated April 7, 1998 and recorded May 6, 1998 at Instrument ID #: 1998-00000884, in the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office.

(2) Prohibitions.

(i) Parking is prohibited on these lands except at designated parking areas.

(ii) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall enter the area between June 15th and August 31st.

(iii) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall use a bicycle or a motor vehicle, including automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles or other motor-driven vehicles, except on roads or trails designated for their use.

(iv) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall enter the base camp area or the area within 50 feet of the buildings at Camp Forester.

(v) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall use a mechanically propelled vessel unless it utilizes an electric motor under four horsepower.

(vi) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall stay overnight on the area in a motor home, bus, van, recreational vehicle, camper trailer or other similar wheeled vehicle except where locations have been designated.

(vii) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall discharge a firearm except for the purpose of lawfully taking wildlife.

(viii) No person other than the landowner, its invitees or its lessees shall enter into any area which is posted closed by the landowner for timber harvesting purposes.

(ix) Forest management activities are not allowed except as specifically authorized in the conservation easement.

Section 190.13 - Wilderness areas in the adirondack park

Universal Citation: 6 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 190.13
Current through Register Vol. 45, No. 52, December 27, 2023

(a) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified, sections 190.0 through 190.6 and sections 190.8 through 190.9 of this Part apply to all units of State land in the Adirondack Park which are classified as wilderness by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. In addition, specific regulations for individual wilderness areas in the Adirondack Forest Preserve are set forth in this section. In case of a conflict between a provision of this section and a provision of sections 190.0 through 190.6 and sections 190.8 through 190.9 of this Part, or a provision of Part 196 of this Title, the provision of this section shall apply.

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the indicated meanings:

(1) Adirondack Canoe Route Zone means the strip of land within the High Peaks Wilderness Area which is situated within 500 feet of the mean high water mark of the eastern shore of Long Lake and the Raquette River.

(2) Bear-resistant canister means a commercially made container constructed of solid, non-pliable material manufactured for the specific purpose of resisting entry by bears.

(3) Campfire means an outdoor fire for warmth, cooking, repelling insects, or aesthetics, but shall exclude stoves using fuels other than wood.

(4) Eastern High Peaks Zone means that portion of the High Peaks Wilderness Area located to the east of the ridge line immediately west of the Indian Pass Trail.

(5) High Peaks Wilderness Area means those lands in the Towns of Keene, North Hudson, Newcomb and North Elba, Essex County; Harrietstown, Franklin County; and Long Lake, Hamilton County described in the most current copy of the "Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map and State Land Map" on file in the offices of the Adirondack Park Agency. The High Peaks Wilderness Area shall include the Adirondack Canoe Route Zone, the Western High Peaks Zone, and the Eastern High Peaks Zone.

(6) Overnight camper means a person who stays or intends to stay in the Eastern High Peaks Zone during the night.

(7) Primitive tent site means a tent site of an undeveloped character providing space for not more than three tents, which may have an associated pit privy and fire ring, designed to accommodate a maximum of eight people on a temporary or transient basis, and located so as to accommodate the need for shelter in a manner least intrusive on the surrounding environment. A primitive tent site shall be designated by an official department sign or disk.

(8) South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor shall mean that portion of the High Peaks Wilderness Area which is generally located between the McIntyre Range on the west and Mt. Marcy on the east and between South Meadows on the north and the State land boundary on the south, and which is more specifically described as follows: beginning at a point on Heart Lake Road (County Road 34) which is one half mile north of the intersection of Heart Lake Road and South Meadows Road; then running easterly in a line that is one half mile north of and parallel to South Meadows Road until it reaches the end of such road; then running southeasterly in a line that is one half mile northeast of and parallel to the Klondike Trail until it reaches a point which is one half mile northeast of U.S.G.S. benchmark 2567 on the Klondike Trail; then running southwesterly in a straight line to such benchmark; then continuing in a southwesterly direction to the ridge line which leads to the summit of Phelps Mountain; then running southerly up such ridge line to a peak northeast of the summit of Phelps Mountain; then running the ridge line from such peak to the summit of Phelps Mountain; then running generally southerly along the ridge line leading from the summit of Phelps Mountain over the summits of Table Top Mountain, Little Marcy, Mt. Marcy, Mt. Skylight, Mt. Redfield, and Cliff Mountain; then running southerly following a straight line from the summit of Cliff Mountain to the point where Upper Twin Brook intersects with the boundary of State land; then running generally northwesterly along the State land boundary to the height of land of the McIntyre Mountain Range; then running northeasterly along the ridge line to the summit of Mount Marshall; then running northeasterly along the ridge line from the summit of Mount Marshall over the summits of Iroquois Peak, Boundary Peak, Algonquin Peak, and Wright Peak; then running northerly in a straight line from the summit of Wright Peak to the southwestern corner of the Adirondack Loj property; then running easterly along the boundary between the Adirondack Loj property and the State land to the southeastern corner of the Adirondack Loj property; then running northerly along such boundary to a point which is due west of the intersection of Heart Lake Road and South Meadows Road; then continuing northerly along such boundary for one half-mile; then running easterly to the point of beginning.

(9) Tent means a temporary, collapsible shelter which is used for camping outdoors and is made primarily of fabric but which may have walls constructed from other materials.

(10) Tent platform means a platform, with or without walls and other attachments, erected as a base for tenting or similar camping activity.

(11) Trail means a marked and maintained path or way for foot, horses, or cross country ski travel.

(12) Western High Peaks Zone means that portion of the High Peaks Wilderness Area located to the west of the ridge of land immediately west of the Indian Pass Trail, excluding the Adirondack Canoe Route Zone.

(c) Group size restrictions.

(1) In the Eastern High Peaks Zone or Western High Peaks Zone, no person shall:

(i) be part of a day use group containing 16 or more people;

(ii) on or after July 1, 2001, camp as part of a group including nine or more people; or

(iii) be a member of an affiliated day use or camping group which exceeds the numerical limitations established in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, unless such group has separated into smaller groups which do not exceed such limitations and such smaller groups maintain a separation distance from each other of at least one mile at all times.

(d) Camping restrictions. In the High Peaks Wilderness Area, no person shall:

(1) erect or use any tent platform or camp structure other than tents, tarps, lean-tos, or those composed of snow;

(2) camp at any location above 4,000 feet in elevation;

(3) camp at locations which are greater than 3,500 feet in elevation but equal to or less than 4,000 feet in elevation except at a primitive tent site; or

(4) erect a tent in a primitive tent site at a distance greater than 15 feet from the official department sign or disk.

(e) Campfire restrictions.

(1) No person shall ignite or maintain a campfire for any purpose at any location in the Eastern High Peaks Zone.

(2) No person shall ignite or maintain a campfire for any purpose at any location which is situated above 4,000 feet in elevation in the Western High Peaks Zone.

(3) At elevations of 4,000 feet or less in the Western High Peaks Zone and in the Adirondack Canoe Route Zone, no person shall ignite or maintain a campfire for any purpose at any location within 150 feet from any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water except that a campfire may be ignited or maintained at a primitive tent site or lean-to site.

(f) Miscellaneous restrictions.

(1) No person shall fail to register whenever passing a trail register established by the department in the Eastern High Peaks Zone.

(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision, no overnight camper in the Eastern High Peaks Zone shall fail to possess a self- issuing permit:

(i) acquire a self-issuing permit whenever passing a department registration facility; and

(ii) possess such permit during the duration of their stay in the Eastern High Peaks Zone.

(3) In the High Peaks Wilderness Area, no person shall:

(i) use any audio device which is audible outside the immediate area of a campsite;

(ii) use soap or detergent in any pond, stream or other water body;

(iii) dispose of any food scrap, food matter or food container in any pond, stream or other water body;

(iv) use any motorized equipment;

(v) operate any motorized craft on any water body designated as a wild river pursuant to the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act, Environmental Conservation Law article 15, title 27;

(vi) fail to comply with a lawful instruction or order of a uniformed employee of the department;

(vii) fail to possess and use skis or snowshoes when the terrain is snow-covered with eight or more inches of snow;

(viii) fail to observe quiet hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;

(ix) mark trails with plastic ribbons, paint, blazes or other devices, cut or clear trails, or mark summits with canisters except by written permission of the department;

(x) leave a pet unattended or fail to maintain complete control over the pet;

(xi) fail to have in their immediate possession proof of a valid and current rabies inoculation for any dog which is accompanying them;

(xii) erect or maintain any commemorative features, such as signs, plaques or markers depicting cultural sites;

(xiii) undertake any research project except under permit of the department;

(xiv) fail to take reasonable steps to keep food, food containers, garbage, and toiletries from bears, and, during the period April 1st through November 30th, no overnight camper in the Eastern High Peaks Zone shall fail to use bear-resistant canisters for the storage of all food, food containers, garbage, and toiletries; or

(xv) possess a glass container, except that glass containers which are necessary for the storage of prescribed medicines shall be exempt from this prohibition.

(4) In the Eastern High Peaks Zone, no person shall fail to leash pets on trails, at primitive tent sites, at lean-to sites, at elevations above 4,000 feet, or at other areas where the public congregates, provided that this provision shall not be applicable to hunting dogs which, with a licensed hunter, are actively hunting during appropriate hunting seasons at locations other than primitive tent sites, lean-to sites, at elevations above 4,000 feet, or at other areas where the public congregates.

(5) In the South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor, no person shall camp except at a primitive tent site, provided that this section shall not be effective until such time as the department completes its designation of such campsites within such corridor, and provided further that until such time as the department completes such designation no person shall fail to comply with the camping instructions contained on any sign posted by the department.

(g) Each provision of this section shall be severable, and in the event that any provision of this section or its application to any person or circumstance is determined to be contrary to law by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect or impair the validity of the remaining provisions of this section, which shall continue in full force and effect and be applicable to other persons and circumstances.