Hunting/Fishing/Trapping Stakeholders Meeting w/Commissioner Grannis
**Wed.- Feb. 11,2009 @ DEC, Albany, New York
 
List of Stakeholders: National Wild Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited, Safari Western N.Y., N.Y. S. Conservation Council, Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council, Quality Deer Management, N.Y. Bowhunters, Adirondacks Franklin Co. Fed., Adirondack Catskill Safari, Conservation Alliance of N.Y., N.Y. Trappers Assoc., Fish Wildlife Management Board, Washington Co. Federation, N.Y. Muzzleloaders, 
Others:  John Bell-Thompson, Howard Cain, Richard Cumm, Ed Gorch
Conservation Fund Advisory Board-  Chr. Charles Hancock,  Leg. Com. Chr. Howie Cushing 
DEC:  Comm. Grannis, Pat Rexinger, Doug Stang, Steve Hurst, Gordon Batchelor, Wally John, Jack McKeon
Comments by Commissioner Grannis
Sportsmen/women must provide the funding for the Conservation Fund (CF) without the aid of the General Fund,  With the state of economic affairs in NYS as they are today it will be difficult to find any extra monies.  If the sporting community does not do this it is likely programs will not be funded.  Grannis said he thought it was unfortunate to lose programs such as the Pheasant Farm but there is only so much money to go around.
Literature was handed out identifying expenses and income to the CF.  DEC staff also provided a slide type show.
Question: (Q) The web site shows $32 M raised for fishing Licenses?
Answer (A) NOT TRUE. DEC staff will look at the website to see if they can understand the question.
(Q) A lot of money is put into the economy thru fishing and its impact on creating jobs.  What about that?
(A)    All areas in gov. are being cut despite what they create.
(Q) What about dollars from timber sales?
(A)    Only a small amount of dollars come from timber sales and only that timber on Wildlife Management Areas.  We need to employ more foresters to perhaps develop more dollars (perhaps $3.2-4 M ) but there is a hiring freeze in effect.
(Q) DEC needs to help better explain funding sources for the CF, Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and federal revenue sharing.
(A)    Agreed we need a better explanation of the revenue stream.
(Q)  It appears the cuts will be on program not personnel.
(A)    We have cut back as far as possible on travel expenses etc. and on employment thru attritions.
 
Discussion on the Licenses Fee Proposal Package from the Feb. 9, 2009 Conservation Fund Advisory Board
(CFAB ) meeting.
(Q) How long would the proposal carry the CF ?
(A)    Approx. 2 ½  to 3 years
(Q) How did the schedule of Lifetime Licenses com about?
(A)    Based on the same percentage as regular licenses.
(Q) Do you think there really is support for a license increase ?
(A)    No one wants an increase but if properly educated on the matter possibly those opposed would provide more support.
(Q) Why did we not charge Seniors more ?
(A)    We need to address  the whole issue of Seniors especially given the fact  of the large amount of Seniors approaching free or reduce licenses will be costing the CF potentially millions of dollars.
 
General Comments:
Many organizations thanked Comm. Grannis for in the past his support of the Game Farm.
Many organizations expressed concern over DEC’S reporting system
N.Y. Bass was against the fee increase since they felt many issues previously presented to DEC had not been fairly addressed.
N.Y. Bowhunters opposed the license fee increase stating they were looking for more hunting opportunities.  They also were of the belief there is not much support for a increase.
Other organizations in general claimed although they did not want an increase stated various reasons for an increase including realizing salaries and expenses had gone up considerably since the last increase, stakeholders did not want a cut in services or programs, in general they also thought an increase per license was more acceptable than separate stamps.
 
CFAB Chr. Charles Hancock explained some of the problems CFAB has had trying to address the deficits of the CF.  He also explained the complexity of the system and that part of an increase was DEC doing a better job of reporting of progress, program, and accounting.  Howie Cushing CFAB Rep. from NYSCC also explained the difficult task it would be to pass a license fee increase bill.
A consensus of the stakeholder groups at the meeting supporting a license increase and better accounting was supported by most all groups except N.Y. Bass and N.Y. Bowhunters.
The group intends to meet again in the near future.  The meeting lasted about two and one half hours.
**These minutes were provided attempting to convey as fairly and simply as possible the discussions, thoughts, and wishes of those who participated.  If anyone feels these minutes do not reflect that please contact me and I will do my best to make the appropriate corrections.

Respectfully submitted,
Howie Cushing Jr. CFAB rep. NYSCC

e-mail ccshng3@aol.com