Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Bill to Fund Conservation Enforcement Advances in Senate

On March 26th the NYS Senate Environmental Conservation Committee in Albany, advanced a bill that will create a special law enforcement account within DEC. The bill, A08213/S07086, known as the Kelles Fines Bill, is sponsored by Assemblymember Dr. Anna R. Kelles, (D) of Ithaca, and Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman, Pete Harckham, (D) of Putman County. It is now being reported to finance in the senate committee. A necessary step on its path to the floor of the legislature for a vote. The measure will divert increased fines from poaching and pollution cases from the state’s General Fund, to a special, newly created Conservation Enforcement Account within DEC.  The movement in the Senate Encon committee received bipartisan support and was unanimously approved. 

ECO Matt Krug, Director of the Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators Association at the PBA of NYS, reports $46 million dollars in fines and civil penalties was generated by Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigators upon the settlement of environmental violations. If this bill becomes law, the money that went into state coffers in the General Fund, would instead be diverted into a new Conservation Enforcement Account at DEC to be spent at the discretion of the its commissioner. There will be an exemption for fines and penalties dedicated to be deposited into the Conservation Fund as well as those earmarked for the Hazardous Waste Remediation Fund.   

Funds generated from the proposed law is to be used exclusively for enforcement of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL). It would include funding for scientists, environmental police officers, attorneys, support staff, “…and such other expenses the commissioner deems necessary for such enforcement.” The money is specifically to be used to supplement, not supplant existing and future funding of ECL enforcement efforts. 

Union Director, Matt Krug would like to see funds from the prospective new enforcement account used to purchase equipment, especially boats and motors which are in dire need of replacement due to the aging of the Division’s fleet. That fleet was once referred to as the state’s Navy due to its robust presence on waters from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes and every waterbody in-between. 

In addition to traditional enforcement of fishing and other regulations, ECOs continue to be responsible for protection of the Homeland using vessels equipped to detect potentially weaponized radiation as they perform their normal fish and wildlife patrols.

ECO Krug not only laments the lack of planned replacement of vessels needed for enforcement, he points to the current need for ECO staffing. Citing exponential expansion of duties of ECOs today compared to officers on staff 50 years ago, ECO Krug states Division staffing levels are the same as back then, despite the expansive growth in their mission. The DEC Police Union Director went on to highlight the problem of prosecuting environmental and wildlife crimes given today’s changing criminal justice environment. 

NY’s bail and discovery laws place new burdens upon county District Attorney’s offices, who the ECOs rely upon to prosecute most of their cases. This is especially true when cases involve extensive motion practice and when they reach the trial stage. Some counties are letting important poaching and environmental crimes fall through the cracks resulting in their dismissal. Poachers and polluters are getting away with crimes threatening our fish, wildlife, and the environment. This is a disservice to the citizens of the state who push for laws to protect the environment and combat poaching, only to have prosecutions languish due to lack of expertise, and staffing that must be dedicated to the prosecution of serious violent crimes. 

A carve out to assist county district attorneys and other creative means to support environmental crime prosecutions would be an excellent outcome should the funding bill become law. After all, what’s the use of passing laws to combat poaching and pollution if they will not be enforced and prosecuted? 

Happy hunting, fishing and trapping until next time! 

News and Notes

Still time to take the Hunter Safety Class on March 30th at Norton Hill Wildlife Club

Greene County Hunter Safety Coordinator, Bill Burger, will be presenting a firearms hunter

safety class on Saturday, March 30th from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville, NY. Just in time for the upcoming youth turkey season. You must register for the class at DEC’s website, www.dec.ny.gov and complete required homework to attend the free in-person class. Once on the website home page, scroll down to “Quick Links,” then select “Take  a Hunter Education Course.” For more information, call Bill Burger at 518-622-3795.

Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is April 20th and 21st 

The 2024 youth turkey hunting season begins on Saturday, April 20th and ends Sunday, April 21st. The Norton Hill Wildlife Club is holding a “Youth Turkey Hunting Orientation Day” at their club on Saturday, April 13th beginning at 10:00 am. All youth hunters and their parents/guardian/mentors are welcome. The event will include a chance to “talk turkey” with local Conservation Officers and other turkey hunting experts, and includes an opportunity for  youth hunters and their mentors to pattern shotguns at the club’s range. Youths will receive instruction on turkey tactics to increase their chances to bag a gobbler safely. (Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at the orientation on April 13th)

Norton Hill is also holding an “After the Hunt BBQ” for all youth hunters, parents, mentors etc. at the conclusion of the first day’s hunt on Saturday April 20th starting at 12:00 pm.

Save-the-date for New York Bowhunters Banquet in Greeneville – May 18th 

New York Bowhunters will hold their 33rd Annual Banquet and Rendezvous on Saturday, May 18th 2023 at the Sunny Hill Resort and golf course at 352 Sunny Hill Road in Greenville, NY. For early birds arriving the day before, there will be a BBQ on Friday night at 6:00 pm with a 50/50 raffle. Discounted rooms that include breakfast at Sunny Hill are available. Go to www.sunnyhill.com or call them at 518-634-7642 to make your discounted room reservation. Registration for the day’s activities start at 9:00 am with their General Meeting scheduled for 1:00 pm, cocktail hour at 5:00 pm, and dinner and silent auction at 6:00 pm. The keynote speaker this year is Colorado big game hunter and guide, John Gardner. The event includes 3D archery and novelty shoots, antler scoring, contests, prizes, and free golf for NY Bowhunter members. Genesis bows will be provided for participants. There will be vendor tables, raffles and plenty of fun things to do. Tickets are $55.00 for individuals with kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets and for more information, contact Annie Jacobs via email at nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com , or by regular mail: 5937 County Road 33 Canandaigua, NY 14424. You can also give Annie a call at 585-229-7468 for more information.  Local NY Bowhunters representative Ed Gorch reminds all attending to bring a gift box for their “Camo to Camo” program supporting our veterans.

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.