North Counrty Assembly Members To Pressure Cuomo & the DOB Re Misuse of Conservation Fund
Recently, Assembly members Tony Jordan (R,C,I-Jackson), Teresa Sayward
(R,I-Willsboro), and Janet L. Duprey (R,I-Peru) sent a joint letter to
Governor Cuomo requesting a meeting with him to discuss the mishandling
of dedicated state conservation funds generated by hunting, fishing and
trapping licensing fees. With across-the-board cuts to all state
agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC),
the lawmakers want to ensure that conservation funds are used to
support outdoor recreation programs and opportunities. The Assembly
members, who represent many sportsmen and whose districts are covered
largely by the Adirondack Park, are especially concerned and would like
Governor Cuomo to clear up any rumors of a possible Conservation Fund
sweep.
“Hunting and fishing are especially important to New York residents and
our Upstate economy, and that is why we want to talk to the governor to
make sure that the state is using the Conservation Fund as intended, to
support New York’s outdoors recreation and opportunities,” said Jordan.
“When we’re being told by the chairman of the Conservation Fund
Advisory Board that the money, raised by outdoor licensing fees, is not
being used as required by law, it raises a red flag with me. We need to
use this dedicated fund to support this important industry and boost
our local economies.”
There are 1.4 million sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts in New York who
have a $6 billion annual impact of the state’s economy. Recent hikes in
licensing fees have made it more expensive for hunters and anglers to
do what they love. The use of conservation funds to maintain programs,
trails and other related services has been repeatedly denied by the
Division of
Budget.
"Our
sportsmen and women are concerned that the Conservation Fund may be
swept for other uses,” said Sayward. “The Conservation Fund should
remain as intended, providing support for outdoor recreation and
sporting opportunities. I urge Governor Cuomo to act on this issue to
ensure that the Conservation Fund is used for its proper purpose."
“It’s extremely important for the economic vitality, culture, as well
as the values of North Country sportsmen and women to protect our
region’s heritage and traditions,” said Duprey. “The failure to
properly utilize the Conservation Fund, combined with recent reductions
at the DEC will directly affect the programs and services that hunters,
fishermen, and trappers are paying for through their licensing fees.
This is unacceptable. With the large number of sportsmen and women in
our state contributing billions to the economy annually, they should
not be the target of mismanagement and unfair reductions. I strongly
urge the Governor to use the Conservation Fund for its sole purpose –
to support hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in the North Country across
our great state.”
The
Assembly colleagues urge Governor Cuomo to meet with them to preserve
this important part of Upstate culture. As always, constituents can
contact their legislative representatives by calling Assemblyman Jordan
at 518-747-7098, Assemblywoman Sayward at 518-792-4546, or
Assemblywoman Duprey at 518-562-1986.
DEC ANNOUNCES “STATE OF LAKE ONTARIO” MEETINGS
Steve Aldstadt's Speech @ Sportsmen's Awareness Day in Albany
NY Bill calls for $15 for each initial gun registration and $10 per year renewal fee for each gun owned.
Some Interesting Info Regarding Rogers
Center’s Proposed Closing
According
to Dan Platt of the Conservation Fund Advisory Council (CFAC), the proposed
closing of Rogers Center in Sherburne will actually do little to reduce the
state budget deficit.
“The
hearing (in Albany) on Thursday was fascinating. It lasted at least 10
hours. Our temporary (DEC) commissioner, Peter Iwanowicz, a Democrat from
Albany and Deputy Secretary for the Environment, appointed by Gov. Paterson was
grilled for about 2.5 hours. Grannis (former DEC commissioner who was
fired by Gov. Paterson for criticizing the DOB cuts as they pertained to the
DEC)) was interviewed next.
Upshot is:
75
percent of DEC budget comes from other sources of funding distinct from the
General Fund. Only 2 percent of the State General Fund employees work at
DEC, but DEC is being hit by 16 percent of the state's layoffs. Grannis
had decided to spread the hits across all DEC sections regardless of funding
source, because hitting the 25 percent group would have been like cutting off a
leg - couldn't work at all.
There are no
plans to close hatcheries OR the Reynold's farm. That doesn't mention the
fact that the managers at both hatcheries took early retirement. MOST
senior management took early retirement. Of the 50+ employees who took
early retirement (I believe from FWMR), only 3 were General Fund employees, so
the early retirement saved the state very little. Many of the layoffs
will not save NYS anything either. Many of the layoffs will limit DEC's
ability to apply for or qualify for Federal Funds that have been paying for a
lot of the non-General Fund employees. They have also decided to transfer
a large number of permanent positions to "seasonal" status, which
likely implies that a lot of the normal seasonals will be fired. The idea
was to keep a lot of the permanent employees employed, even though they don't
have all the perks of full-time employment... with the hope that sometime in
the next administration they will clean up the mess. Stoneykill Education
Center in my region is also subject to closing. I do not believe any of
the camps are closing.... yet.
$17M
of the Conservation Fund has not been released by the Division of Budget (DOB). Actually, while a lot
of other funds of the state specifically empower DOB to allocate funds
appropriated by legislation, DOB has no such power under the New York State
Finance Law to fail to allocate those funds. However, that is exactly
what they have done.
CFAB
has been trying very hard to get some traction to get these funds released.
They have tried to enlist (Assemblyman Robert) Sweeney's help, who
appeared to be very interested in what is happening.”
So
it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Gov. Paterson and the Division of
Budget have decided to make the NYSDEC the “whipping boy” or fall guy (your
choice) for our state’s $315M budget deficit –a red ink crisis created by none
other than our elected officials and state leaders’ long term inability to
operate the state in a fiscally responsible manner. In addition to losing DEC
centers such as Rogers and Stoneykill, sportsmen will see significant
reductions in fish and wildlife conservation programs such as fish stocking and
habitat management. My primary question is: why aren’t our local state
politicians battling to reverse and cease what seems to be efforts to literally
destroy our DEC system as it relates to conservation and our “dedicated”
Conservation Fund money?
Also noteworthy is that governor-elect Cuomo has
hinted that he might move the entire DEC under the Dept .of Parks &
Recreation bureucratic umbrella.
If approved, the cost of a Conservation Legacy license will increase
from $76 to $96; Super Sportsman, $68 - $88; Sportsman, $37-$47; Senior
Sportsman, $5- $10; Small/Big Game, $19-$29. Fishing, $19-$29; Senior
Fishing $5 (no change); Fishing (blind) $0-$5 (qualifies for federal
revenues); DMP $5 with sportsman application fee, $10 without;
Military/ Disabled $5. Bowhunting, $16-$21; Junior Bowhunting $9;
Senior Bowhunting, $0; Muzzleloader, $16- $21; Senior Muzzleloader, $0;
Small Game, $16-$26; Junior Small Game, $5; Turkey permit $5-$10;
Trapping, $16-$21; Senior Trapping, $0-$5, Junior Trapping $6;
Seven-day fishing, $12-$15.
Lifetime licenses and non-resident sporting licenses will also be going
up, including a $25 one-day non-resident fishing license, which many
charter captains and fishing guides feel will discourage a lot of
potential out-of-state customers. More>
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