I can't answer your question, but I can suggest that with the new undersized DEC building, even the records you were able to find will disappear.  This will be bad tidings for any DEC unit which relies on historical data.  NOTE:  DEC is moving to a new building in a year or two.  There is little room in the new building for files and records.  Employees are being told to cut half of our holdings -- without comperable assistance regarding scanning or sorting.  Much will be lost.

In a message dated Tue, 16 Nov 1999  9:30:50 AM Eastern Standard Time, David Pachan <[log in to unmask]> writes:

> To whom can help,
>
> I work for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in the department of lands and forests. I have a question concerning the total percent of forested land in New York State befoe the 1900's.
>
> Here is what I have so far:
>
> Forest land cover figures-- forest land is defined as land with at least 10% stocking of trees of any size, or that formerly had such tree cover and is not currently developed for a non-forest use.
>
> Total land area of New York State-- 30.2 million acres
>
> 1900-- 7 million acres--appox. 23%
> 1925-- 9 million acres--approx. 30%
> 1953--15.1 million acres-- approx. 50%
> 1968-- 17.3 million acres-- approx. 57%
> 1980--18.5 million acres--approx. 61%
> 1993-- 18.6 million acres-- approx. 62%
>
> As early as we can go will be greatly appreciated.
> Thank you very much for who ever can assist me.
>
> David