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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeer Management Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney Chair, Environmental Conservation Committee April 18, 2014 Rm. 625, Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 Dear Assemblyman Sweeney, I am writing to thank you for your dedication to environmental conservation in the state of New York as chair of the En Con Committee in the Assembly. Surely it is difficult to be fully informed of the many aspects involved in each piece of legislation. From reading your CV, it is evident to me that you are a highly educated, well meaning individual with the best interests of the people of New York at heart. There is legislation pending in your committee that addresses a desperate need of those of us on the East End of Suffolk County who are suffering the devastating effects of too many deer. A09017 and A08822 propose changes to the hunting regulations that would allow for more deer to be taken by allowing weekend hunting during the January shotgun season, allowing bow hunting during that season, and extending the bow hunting season through March. These changes, along with the recent reduction in the setback required for bow hunting from 500'to 150' included in the Governor's budget legislation, can make it possible for hunters to be more successful in reducing the extreme over- population of deer that has resulted from stringent hunting regulations, the complete elimination of natural predators, and the ideal deer environments created by edge habitats in suburban and farm areas. In Eastern Suffolk County, we are dealing with a health, safety and environmental crisis brought on by too many deer - one species being allowed to dominate the environment. In Southold Township we have roughly 65-70 deer per square mile. * At numbers above 8 to 10 per square mile, deer provide the blood meal necessary for the ticks that spread Lyme and other tick borne diseases to reproduce and thrive. According to N Y State Health department data, Suffolk County has 49% of Babesiosis and 44% of Ehrlichiosis cases while comprising only 7 1/2 per cent of the NY state population. Each case of Lyme disease costs over $10,000 and cases are skyrocketing. * auto/deer accidents are increasing with resultant injury, property damage and death. The average claim costs $3300. In 2012 there were 444 deer roadkill in Southold with only 393 deer killed by hunters. * Overbrowsing by deer is rendering our forests unable to recover. There is virtually no understory left, no new saplings or desirable native plants allowed to grow, no habitat for nesting birds and animals, soil retention severely compromised and runoff exacerbated. See Tom Rawinski's report on our local forests attached. * The economic costs to farm crops and landscaping runs in the millions. * Our Town Board, in a valiant response to pleas from hundreds of citizens, has resorted to hiring USDA sharpshooters to cull the deer at great expense and risk of criticism from the uninformed and from the hunters who would like to be able to do the job. The Department of Environmental Conservation, in their "Management Plan for White- tailed Deer in New York State 2012-2016" refers to a legal mandate under NY State Environmental Conservation Law to "promote natural propagation and maintenance of desirable species in ecological balance including the need for restoration and improvement of natural habitat "(p.7-8) (emphasis mine) It goes on to state: "Deer populations are managed principally through manipulation of mortality rates of adult female deer. On the landscape scale regulated hunting is the only viable tool available to accomplish this management" (p.13). "Fertility control has not proven to be a viable, stand-alone option for managing free- ranging deer populations. DEC does not recommend such programs unless they are combined with some form of lethal control. Direct removal of deer through hunting (including managed hunts with firearms or archery) or culling (including bait and shoot or capture and kill) is still the most efficient and cost-effective way to stabilize or reduce deer populations and alleviate associated damages to private property and natural resources"(p. 49). (emphasis mine) Personally, my husband and I both suffer from chronic Lyme disease and Babesiosis from repeated exposure to the tick that can only reproduce in sufficient numbers thanks to more than 10-12 deer per square mile. With more than 65-70 deer per square mile, and the hunters unable to stem the continuing increase, we continue to be exposed in spite of years of reluctant pesticide spraying on our property. We now refuse to allow our grandchildren to visit, as playing in our yard is so dangerous. We have stopped vegetable gardening and have spent thousands of dollars replacing landscaping. We know others who are sick and some who have died from these diseases. In fact we know no one who has not been affected in some way. There is no understory left on our 3 acres, and we are losing the old growth that my husband's grandparents and parents enjoyed on this land with nothing able to grow to replace it - along with the birds and small animals that used to nest here. This is happening all around us. We have thus far escaped being hit by a deer in our car but seem to be the rare exception among our friends and neighbors. We urge you to bring the proposed bills out of committee for a vote and to press for their passage. In addition we would like to see an amendment added or new legislation proposed to legalize the use of crossbows in Suffolk County to allow for more people to hunt and to hunt effectively. As you know, the crossbow was recently legalized for other parts of NY and is legal in neighboring Connecticut and in Virginia with a very good safety record. I urge you to find a way to introduce or amend legislation to allow this. We need all the tools possible to reduce the numbers of deer destroying our environment, endangering our health and costing our economy dearly. Thank you for your efforts on our behalf, Susan Switzer 404 680-2583 P.O. Box 283 soswitzer@gmail.com Peconic, NY 11958 Cc Members Environmental Conservation Committee NY State Assembly Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Herman D. Farrell, Jr. Chair Ways and Means NY State Assembly Scott Russell, Supervisor Southold Town Peter A. Scully, Regional Director NY DEC Dear Citizens Concerned about Over-population of Deer on the North Fork: Many of you have asked for information on how to lobby for legislative changes to the NY State environmental conservation laws that would make it possible for our local hunters to be more effective in controlling the burgeoning deer population. For maximum impact, we recommend that you send personalized letters by US Post to select representatives that combine your own experience and perspective with critical evidence and arguments. For your convenience, we have provided suggested points below to integrate into your letters as you wish, as well as addresses (see below). Background from the NY State DEC The Department of Environmental Conservation, in their "Management Plan for White-tailed Deer in New York State 2012-2016" refers to a legal mandate under NY State Environmental Conservation Law to "promote natural propagation and maintenance of desirable species in ecological balance including the need for restoration and improvement of natural habitat "(p.7-8) It goes on to state: "Deer populations are managed principally through manipulation of mortality rates of adult female deer. On the landscape scale regulated hunting is the only viable tool available to accomplish this management" (p.13). "Fertility control.... has not proven to be a viable, stand-alone option for managing free-ranging deer populations. DEC does not recommend such programs unless they are combined with some form of lethal control. Direct removal of deer through hunting (including managed hunts with firearms or archery) or culling (including bait and shoot or capture and kill) is still the most efficient and cost-effective way to stabilize or reduce deer populations and alleviate associated damages to private property and natural resources"(p. 49). The good news is the recently adopted Cuomo budget that included legislation reducing the required setback for bow hunting from 500' to 150' which will make much more land available for hunting and for private nuisance permits. Work left to be done where you can help: There are two bills in the legislature now that address aspects of deer hunting that would be very beneficial: Bill A09017 in the Assembly. S6767 in the Senate - Would extend the bow hunting season in Suffolk County to March 31 (instead of the current December) Would allow the use of long bows during the January shotgun season. This bill was introduced by Assemblyman Fred Thiele in the Assembly, is co sponsored by Assemblyman Tony Palumbo, and was introduced in the Senate by Senator Ken LaValle. It is now in the Assembly's Environmental Conservation committee chaired by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney who is not supportive of it. We need his support to bring it out of committee for a vote. Bill A08822 in the Assembly. S6630 in the Senate - Would allow weekend hunting during the January shotgun season (currently only weekdays) Same sponsors as above; currently in Ways and Means chaired by Assemblyman Herman Farrell where it will need to be voted on and then returned to the Environmental Conservation Committee where it appears to have some support from Chair Sweeney. BUT It will need to be brought out of committee for a vote. Note: The Senate was quick to pass a previous bill last year which contained much of the same changes so presumably there is support for the two newer bills in the Senate. That bill remained stalled in the Assembly's En Con committee under Sweeney last year and went no further. Note: There are 12,000 bills working their way through the legislature - not all will be dealt with by the June deadline for voting by the full body so pressure must be brought to bear for the ones that we need. What you can do: Write hardcopy letters to the Albany offices of Assemblymen Thiele, Palumbo, Sweeney and Farrell, Speaker Silver, and to Senator LaValle (emails not as effective; addresses below): A. Thanking Thiele, Palumbo, and LaValle for introducing and supporting the legislation B. Requesting from all that the two bills(A08822 and A9017) be brought out of committee for a vote and that they be approved. ***If you can only write one letter, write to Assemblyman Sweeney asking for the bills to be brought out of committee for a vote. C. Requesting the introduction and passage of a bill -or amendment to one of the existing bills- to include Suffolk County in the recent legalization of crossbows in other parts of NY and allow their use throughout the bow hunting season. Crossbows are relatively easy to use, highly accurate, and therefore humane and effective. They are legal in many other states(e.g. CT and VA) and long experience has shown them to be safe. D. reiterating the urgent need for every available tool to be made available for deer control in areas like ours that are in most need of it to combat: 1. The widespread incidence of tick borne illnesses made possible by the deer as key hosts providing the blood meal needed for reproduction by the tick responsible for these diseases 2. The destruction of our forests by deer over browsing, and with that the loss of habitat for nesting birds and animals, decimation of desirable native plant species, loss of soil retention, and resultant increased water pollution 3. The increasing number of automobile/deer accidents resulting in costly damage, personal injury and death 4. The huge economic losses from crop damage on agricultural lands E. Include - and perhaps start with- why this is important to you and/or whatever personal experience you have with the deer problems we face here in Suffolk County as you see fit. Thank you for your continued support in working to solve the health, environmental and economic crisis brought on by an unbridled deer population. North Fork Deer Management Alliance - NFDMA A copy of your letter(s) to Peter Scully Regional Director DEC would be helpful as well. You may wish to copy the members of Mr. Sweeney's Environmental Conservation Committee. Also a quick "Thank you" email to Governor Cuomo for the setback change can be done through a link on his website: www.governor.ny.gov To use an online form if paper mail is impossible, see below. Legislative Contacts (Albany addresses for use when Legislature is in Session Jan.-June) State Senate Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (represents all of East End of LI) Local: 28 North Country Road, Suite 203, Mt. Sinai, NY 11766 Phone: 631 473-1461 In Albany: New York State Senate Legislative Office Building, Rm. 805 188 State St., Albany, NY 12247 Phone: 518 455-3121 Email: lavalle@.Dysenate. qov State Assembly Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo Represents the North Fork of LI Local: 400 West Main St., Suite 201, Riverhead, NY, 11901 Phone: 631 727-0204 In Albany: Legislative Office Building, Rm. 719 Albany, NY 12248 Phone: 518 455-5294 Email: palumboa(c~assembly.state.ny.us Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr. Represents the South Fork and Shelter Island Local: 2302 Main Street, Suite A, PO Box 3062 Bridgehampton, NY 11932 Phone: 631 537-2583 In Albany: Legislative Office Building, Rm. 746 Albany, NY 12248 Phone: 518 455-5997 Email: thielef@assembly.state.ny.us Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney Chairman of Environmental Conservation Committee Local: 640 West Montauk Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 Phone: 631 957-2087 In Albany: Legislative Office Building, Rm. 625 Albany, NY 12248 Phone: 518 455-5787 Email: sweeneyr@assembly.state.ny.us Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. District 71 -upper Manhattan Chairman Ways and Means Committee Albany: Legislative Office Building Rm. 923, Albany NY 12248 Phone: 518 455-5491 Assemblyman Sheldon Silver State Assembly Speaker Rm. 932 Legislative Office Bldg Albany, NY 12248 NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Peter A. Scully, Regional Director DEC 50 Circle Rd., Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409 Email: pascully(c~gw.dec.state.ny.us New York State Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Members Address: Assembly Chambers Rm.(#) Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 Chair Rm. Robert Sweeney 625 Members Thomas Abinanti 744 Marc Butler 525 William Colton 733 Jane Corwin 446 Marcos Crespo 454 Steven Cymbrowitz 627 Patricia Fahy 452 Gary Finch 448 Andrew Garbarino 529 Deborah Glick 717 Aileen Gunther 826 Ellen Jaffee 650 Brian Kavanagh 419 Barbara Lifton 555 Peter Lopez 402 Donna Lupardo 626 Daniel O'Donnell 526 Steven Otis 325 Anthony H. Palumbo 719 Crystal Peoples-Stokes 619 Nily Rozic 820 Sean Ryan 540 Joseph Saladino 720 Michelle Schimel 702 Dan Stec 940 Fred Thiele, Jr. 746 Matthew Titone 643 Harvey Weisenberq 731 Kenneth Zebrowski 637 To find and contact a legislator via an online form go to: www.assembly.state.ny.us and click member on left menu then on contact on left menu www.nysenate.gov -chose senator and click contact To track a bill go to above addresses and choose legislation or bill search Open bills have comment section at bottom Norklun, Stacey From: Neville, Elizabeth Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 9:51 AM To: Norklun, Stacey Subject: FW: Thank you Attachments: Assemblyman Sweeney.docx; Leg action letter to NFDMA email list.docx LF Deer Mgmt From: Susan Switzer [mailto:soswitzer@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 7:02 PM To: Russell, Scott Cc: William Ruland; Bob Ghosio; Neville, Elizabeth; Doherty, Jill; Jim Dinizio; Louisa Evans; Finnegan, Martin; Standish, Jeff Subject: Thank you Dear Scott, I am writing to thank you and the Board for your continued dedication to addressing the problem of too many deer in our town. You stood firm even in the face of the loud and angry reactions you have received from a small number of emotional and misinformed people. It would have been easy to back down as some of the other east end towns did to avoid controversy, but you chose to rise above that and take the necessary steps to fund and follow through with the USDA cull efforts after it became clear that culling is and will be necessary until hunting can keep the deer in check. There are so many of us who are grateful for that and I know I speak for many when I say "thank you." I also want to acknowledge Jeff Standish for having established and continuing to develop the Town's deer management program as a core component of the long term solution to the deer problem and for working to make the cull as successful as possible. As a resident I wish to do whatever I can to support efforts to make hunting more effective. Hugh and I are delighted with the reduction in the setback requirement for bow hunting to 150' and I have written Governor Cuomo to thank him. I have also written to a variety of our representatives in Albany supporting the passage of the legislation to further expand opportunities for bow hunting that is in the Assembly En Con Committee. Attached is a copy of a letter I sent to Assemblyman Sweeney on the subject in an effort to have the legislation brought to a vote and not die in committee as last year's similar legislation did. In working with the North Fork Deer Management Alliance I have put together an email to our list giving suggestions to the many who have asked how to support the legislation. I attach it here as well. Please let me know any additional ways we can support the Board and the Town in bringing the deer problem under control. Thank you, Susan Switzer Mill Lane Peconic i