U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer has urged the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service to spring into action and work with both New York State (NYS) and Dutchess and Putnam County communities to identify federal funding opportunities to restore Sugarloaf Mountain in the aftermath of a forest fire late last month.

The forest fire raged across 67 acres of land between Mount Beacon and Breakneck Ridge for 18 days between September 20^th and October 8^th, destroying popular trails for hikers and tourists.

Schumer explained that with Breakneck Ridge attracting 100,000 visitors per year because of its breathtaking and renowned trails and accessibility to residents of the New York City area, the need to ensure a full and complete restoration effort is paramount. Therefore, Schumer called on the United States Forest Service to provide any support possible through the its Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program, to ensure that this critical land is restored and that Sugarloaf Mountain remains a prominent attraction for visitors.

 “For 18 days, a fire ravaged Sugarloaf Mountain, leaving a trail of destruction behind it on both breathtaking trails and the Hudson Valley’s outdoor-tourism economy. New York’s boots on the ground admirably controlled the fire and began the recovery process, but still need a federal boost to fully finish up the restoration efforts,” said  Schumer. “That’s why I’m urging the United States Forest Service to collaborate with New York State and local Dutchess and Putnam County communities to identify potential sources of federal funding, for example, the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program, to help this natural gem, which brings 100,000 people to the Hudson Valley each and every year, recover. I’ll always fight tooth and nail to ensure that New Yorkers and tourists alike can continue to enjoy the state’s spectacular public lands and natural areas for generations to come.”

Schumer explained that when the fire was initially reported, first responders from the NYS Parks Taconic Region, NYS Parks Palisades Region, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Parks Police diligently fought the blaze. However, the fire continued its rampage throughout the area, going on to destroy over 65 acres of ground vegetation, with about two-thirds of which falling in the NYS-owned Hudson Highlands State Park, and the remaining on private land. Schumer explained that while the fire was contained as of September 26^th, the fire was not confirmed as being put out on Sugarloaf Mountain until October 8^th. Near the summit of the mountain, the fire created steep, eroded and dangerous conditions, which led to a reroute being established so that hikers could avoid them. Furthermore, Schumer highlighted, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NYNJTC) volunteers are still scouting the fire damage to assess what additional restoration work must be completed.

The United States Forest Service’s Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program provides federal funding, in the form of grants, to help state governments maintain and act as stewards over forests. According to the Forest Service, grants are awarded for projects related to a number of different topics, including reforestation. Schumer pointed to the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program as a program to help Dutchess and Putnam County communities recover from the 18-day fire and restore destroyed land in the Hudson Highlands State Park. In addition, Senator Schumer is asking USDA work to identify assistance through disaster programs such as the Emergency Forest Restoration Program and Emergency Watershed Program.