ALBANY -- Seven state campgrounds and two day-use areas in the Adirondacks and the Catskills will not open this summer because of proposed budget cuts, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.

     
Seven of the sites are in the Adirondacks: Tioga Point, Raquette Lake, Hamilton County; Sharp Bridge, North Hudson, Essex County; Taylor Pond, Long Lake, Hamilton County; Poplar Point, Arietta, Hamilton County; Caroga Lake, Caroga, Fulton County; Hinckley Day Use Area, Russia, Herkimer County; and Scaroon Manor Day Use Area, Schroon, Essex County.

Two areas in the Catskills won't be in operation this year: Devil's Tombstone, Hunter, Greene County; and Bear Spring Mountain, Walton, Delaware County.

The DEC only operates parks in the Catskills and Adirondacks. All other state campgrounds in New York are run by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

DEC, which is facing the loss of 54 jobs in Gov. David Paterson's proposed 2009-2010 budget, said the facilities were chosen based upon usage rates over previous years and proximity to other camping facilities.

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