I was recently on Kaatscast talking about one of the most important and complicated places in the Catskills: Kaaterskill Clove. The episode, Extra Edition: Kaaterskill Clove at a Crossroads, looks at the new Visitor Use Management report for the Kaaterskill Falls corridor and what it could mean for the future of public access, visitor safety, and the health of the Forest Preserve.

In the conversation, I talk with Brett Barry about why this report matters, what it gets right, and where I think it falls short. I welcome the framework and the fact that DEC is finally looking at Kaaterskill Clove in a more serious, data-driven way, but I also believe that limiting public access should always be a last resort, not the first response.

We also talk about some of the bigger issues that have shaped this corridor for years, including pedestrian and vehicle safety along Route 23A, the need for better management tools, and the work that has gone into this conversation long before this report was released. For anyone who cares about the future of Kaaterskill Clove, these are the right questions to be asking.

If you want to listen, the episode is available through Kaatscast. The public comment period for the DEC report closes June 1, 2026, and comments can be sent to ForestPreserve@dec.ny.gov.