DEC Announces Temporary Closure of Wart and Hessell Public Forest Roads in Winona State Forest

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the temporary closure of the Wart and Hessel public forest access roads in Winona State Forest. The roads located in the town of Lorraine, Jefferson County, and town of Boylston, Oswego County, will be closed to the public Monday through Friday, beginning Nov. 18, for an estimated four weeks while crews work to remove potentially hazardous white ash trees along the roadways. Increased truck traffic is expected.

Wart Road and Hessel Road will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays during this period. Access to Winona State Forest is not prohibited during weekdays. However, DEC encourages visitors to find alternate access points.

Motor vehicle access to Jefferson County Forest off Hessel Road will be available throughout the closure; access will be restricted at times to traffic coming from the Wart Road or Bargy Road end.

The closure is necessary during the removal of potentially hazardous white ash trees within the road right-of-way. The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) is a wood-boring beetle from Asia that feeds on all native ash trees (Fraxinus sp.). EAB was accidentally transported in infested crates and pallets to the United States where a lack of natural controls such as predators and disease allowed the population to grow rapidly. Since its introduction, this invasive pest has killed millions of ash trees and cost billions of dollars in damage and loss. DEC continues to evaluate impacts that could affect public safety, including infrastructure and facilities within the region, that would be negatively impacted by invasive species.

Questions regarding closures can be directed to Michael Giocondo at the DEC Region 6 Lowville Office (315) 376-3521.