Expanding the Toolbox: Conservation and Access in Kaaterskill Clove - An Interview with Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center

SHANDAKEN —The Department of Environmental Conservation has released a new management report for Kaaterskill Clove. While not a final decision, it offers a collaborative framework for balancing essential conservation with public access. To help frame the discussion as a collaborative process rather than a final verdict, we sat down with Jeff Senterman, the Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development to take a closer look at the issues.

Visitor Use Management Report (VUM) as framework, not decision

It would be helpful to underscore that the VUM report is not a final decision document, but a set of recommendations and tools that DEC may use as it develops future management actions and a UMP amendment.

Full range of tools, not just permits

The draft understandably highlights the proposed daily visitor number and timed-entry option. It might be useful to balance that with more emphasis on the many non-permit strategies in the report: traffic and parking management, shuttles, infrastructure changes, education, and expanded stewardship. Our position is that access-limiting tools like permits or reservations belong at the very end of the toolbox, and only after those other measures have been fully explored, implemented, and evaluated.

Catskill Center’s stance

We support DEC using the Visitor Use Management Framework and data-driven planning in Kaaterskill Clove and more broadly in the Catskill Park. We are very cautious about any recommendation that would unnecessarily restrict public access and believe intensive, on-the-ground management should come first.

Collaboration and local leadership

You rightly highlight the Town of Hunter’s concerns. We also see success here as depending on collaboration among DEC, Hunter, Greene County, Mountain Top Historical Society, the Catskill Center, and others. Our goal is not to “pick a side” for or against a specific cap number, but to make sure any eventual actions balance access, conservation, safety, and community vitality, and that local voices help shape the path forward.

Economic and community context

The business and municipal concerns you quote are very real. One additional point you might consider is that good management of Kaaterskill Clove is also essential for the long-term local economy and quality of life.

Call for public engagement

Since DEC is seeking comments through June 1 and hosting a virtual public meeting, you might want to explicitly invite readers to read the report and submit their own comments. That aligns with what we are encouraging people to do.

Public Comment Period

• Submission Deadline: The DEC is currently seeking public comments on the Kaaterskill Clove Visitor Use Management (VUM) report through June 1, 2026.
• Email for Feedback: You can submit your thoughts and feedback directly via email to forestpreserve@dec.ny.gov.