PRESS RELEASE  01-17-06

 

            New York State Conservation Council, Inc.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

                                                Contact:

                                                            Harold Palmer, President 607- 638-9013

                                                            Wally John, Legislative VP 518-479-2485

                                                            Howie Cushing, Exec. Program Director 518-674-2961

                                                           

                The New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) applauds the initiative of Governor Pataki to include $15 million in his budget proposal out of the Environmental Protection Fund for Stewardship Funding; up from $6 million last year.  The monies from this can be used for access, conservation education and specific species management.  All which in part play an important role in the conservation movement and wise use of our natural resources.

            The Conservation Council also recognizes the importance of Governor Pataki’s proposal to include $3 million for improvements to our State fish hatcheries.  Working together, the Conservation Council and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise Sheehan have continued to express the need to fix the infrastructures of the hatcheries; this concern has been heard and recognized by Governor Pataki. The State fish hatcheries support the magnificent Great Lakes Fisheries as well as smaller lakes and bodies of water that the sportsmen and women enjoy, as well as provide a solid form of economic base for New York State that we must keep investing in.  Theodore Roosevelt would have been proud to see people working together to support nature’s bounty.  There will still be the need to raise another $20-22 million to completely restore the hatcheries at this period of times’ cost.

            “The Governor has made a great step forward to help improve management, access, and our hatchery system thru this budget proposal.  Hopefully the Senate and Assembly will get on board and do the same or even offer a little more,” reported NYSCC President Harold Palmer.

 

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