2010 RESOLUTIONS
Please note:
Committee comments are recommendations only;
all resolutions will be voted on at the NYSCC Annual Meeting in September to determine a resolution’s passage or failure.
Subject: State Forest Funding
# 19-10 Sullivan County
This resolution FAILED at the NYSCC Annual Meeting on September 18, 2010.
Whereas the State of New York is facing severe financial hardship in this and future years;
Whereas the Conservation fund is also in financial stress;
Whereas attempts have been made to increase the numbers of hunters and fishermen, particularly among youth;
Whereas services and property access benefits others in addition to sportsmen such as boaters, hikers, bird watchers, horsemen, etc.
Whereas the habitat/access stamp has not provided anticipated monies and is not well supported by non-sportsmen, although many projects funded by the stamp benefit municipalities and non-¬sportsmen groups;
Whereas additional sources of revenue could become available if all users of state forests were to make a contribution toward improving and maintaining access;
BE IT RESOLVED that the NYSCC work with NYSDEC to increase participation in the habitat/access program by both the sportsmen and the non-sportsmen.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NYSCC review the practicality of imposing and administering an access fee for use of all state forests.
It is recommended that if this is found practical, an appropriate legislation request be submitted to the NYSDEC.
Contact: Edna Calkin, 169 County Road 116, Cochecton, NY 12726
845/932-8929
Jack Danchak, 552 Equinunk Creek Road, Lakewood, PA 18439
570/798-2998
Bill Gaudette, 95 Smith Road, Parksville, NY 12768
845/295-9272
Habitat/Access Committee comments: This resolution was opposed by the H/A Committee by a vote of 1-support, 5-oppose, 1-abstention for the following reasons:
1. Would require a law change – a difficult and prolonged procedure.
2. The administration would be complicated. The resolution calls for a “contribution” by non-sportsmen. If they are not presently contributing to the voluntary H/A Stamp Program, why would this approach work? In order to have any chance of success, both programs would have to be made mandatory to realize any significant financial results.
3. If implemented in conjunction with the H/A Stamp, the non-sportsman would have the right to representation with regard to decisions regarding the project selections. Do sportsmen really want that?
Small Game Committee comments: Basically this resolution was all about the habitat stamp and the fact that non-sportsmen have not supported the program. Again, the idea was to make it mandatory to possess one if using state forests for any reason. The committee voted against this resolution unanimously, mostly by reason of the difficulty to enforce it.
Legislative Committee comments: Oppose. The way this is written, it does not state if a person with a hunting, trapping or fishing license would be exempt. It looks like they would have to buy the Habitat and Access Stamp. The NYSCC is in favor of a mandatory Habitat and Access Stamp, but only after some changes are made to make sure the money is used correctly. As for non-sportsmen paying a fee, where should that money go? This needs more facts about what Sullivan County wants the NYSCC to do.
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