The state Department of Environmental Conservation has begun planning for the 570-acre Saratoga Sand Plains Wildlife Management area, Betsey Lowe, regional DEC director announced.

Comprised primarily of state-owned land in the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, the Sand Plains also encompasses a few parcels in Northumberland.  This state acreage is near or next to parcels owned by the Nature Conservancy, Saratoga County and the towns of Wilton and Northumberland.

The Wilton Wildlife PreserveThe area under review is located within a state-designated Priority Conservation Area and within Karner blue butterfly recovery areas designated by the state and federal governments.

In developing the plan, the DEC said it is consulting with "other partners of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park," and will also seek input from the general public. The first public meeting about this will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 7 p.m., at the Wilton Town Court, 20 Traver Road.

The public may review related documents at the DEC's Warrensburg Office, 232 Golf Course Road, or at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park Office in Wilton at 80 Scout Road. For further information, contact Melissa Neely, DEC wildlife biologist, by e-mail at r5info@gw.dec.state.ny.us.