NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board

Introduction

The New York State Conservation Fund Advisory Council was established by Chapter Four of the Laws of 1982 as a branch of the State Executive Department. It provides the license buying public of the State of New York with an oversight in the expenditure of Conservation Fund monies, there by ensuring that the fund is spent in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Law, specifically for the care, management, protection and enlargement of the fish and game resources of the State and for the promotion of public fishing, hunting and trapping.

Under Chapter 308 of the laws of 1994, the Council was reestablished as the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) and removed from the jurisdiction of the Executive Law and placed under the Environmental Conservation Law. The change allowed the addition of ex-officio members to the Board (Senate and Assembly Environmental Committee, Senate Finance Committee, Assembly Ways and Means Committee and DEC Commissioner, or their representatives), in an effort to speed up communications and give the panel the ability to make more timely decisions.

All CFAB members are volunteers serving without salaries and having a long-standing interest, knowledge and experience in fish and wildlife management, including hunting, fishing, trapping and related conservation activities. The members represent each of the nine DEC Regions and two statutory members representing the New York State Conservation Council, Inc. and The New York State Fish and Wildlife Management Act Board.

CFAB's function is to make recommendations to appropriate State agencies on plans, policies and programs affecting fish and wildlife. This is accomplished by CFAB review of proposed and final allocations and expenditures of the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources. The Board submits a report annually to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation by November 15th of each year. The primary purpose of this report to DEC is to advise the Commissioner regarding the Board's assessment of the extent to which expenditures and appropriations from the Conservation Fund are consistent with the requirements of State Law.

Board members can be contacted by writing the Conservation Fund Advisory Board, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4750, or e-mail the Conservation Fund Advisory Board.

Members

Charles A. Bevilacqua, Vice Chairman (Region 1) was born in Brooklyn and has been a resident of Nassau County since 1950. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and attended Nassau Community College and the American Management Institute. He has been active in community affairs as a former Scoutmaster, fund-raiser and assistant coach for the Syosset Spartans Young Sports Program. He is an avid hunter, angler, competitive target shooter and Life Member of the National Rifle Association. Presently, Charlie serves on the Nassau County Forest Practices Board, the NYS Open Space Advisory committee for Region 1 and the NYS Conservation Council/NY Power Authority Joint Task Force on Energy and Natural Resources. He has been active with the Nassau County Fish and Game Association, holding offices as President, Vice-President and Director. He is a past President of the Manhasset Bay Sportsmen's Club. Charlie has held several offices with the NYS Conservation Council, including Vice-President, Regional Director and a member of several key committees. He is associated with Nassau Suffolk Realty. He has held various management positions with Lisa & Company, has been a Senior Field Engineer with TRW and a Sales Manager with Singer Business Machines. He was appointed in 1984 to serve as the representative of Region 1.

The Honorable Gordon J. Whiting, (Region 2) was born and raised in Bronxville, New York and has lived in Manhattan since 1992. He lives in New York City with his wife, and son and they are awaiting the birth of their second child. He is a Managing Director of Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. a leading investment management firm specializing in non-traditional assets, where he founded and leads the AG Net Lease Realty Group. Previously, he was an Executive Director of W. P. Carey & Co. LLC (NYSE: WPC). He was also the President of Corporate Associates 14, Incorporated, one of W. P. Carey's publicly held, non-traded real estate investment trusts that invest in commercial and industrial properties with assets in excess of $1.1 billion. Mr. Whiting serves on the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board ("FRTIB"), a position to which he was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2002. The FRTIB oversees the approximately $225 billion of retirement accounts (the Thrift Savings Plan) for most Federal employees and military personnel. He also serves on Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Advisory Council, the Board of United Neighbors of East Midtown, Inc., is the President of the Camp Fire Conservation Fund, Inc., and is an Eagle Scout. He is also a member of the Camp Fire Club of America, is the Secretary of the Mashomack Preserve Club and a Regular Member of the Boone and Crockett Club. An avid conservationist, hunter and fisherman he is a New York State Lifetime Sportsman, Trapping, Bowhunting and Muzzleloading License holder, a Patron Member of the National Rifle Association and a graduate of Cornell University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. He was appointed in 2006 to serve as the representative of Region 2.

Dominick "Mickey" Scarzafava (Region 3) was born and raised in Middletown, NY (Orange County ), and has been a resident of Middletown his whole life. Dominick is a veteran of the Army Corp. of Engineers from 1958 - 1965, including 4 years in Germany as a demolition specialist. He graduated from Middletown High School. Dominick was owner operator of Mickeyfinn Charters and Guide Service. He also worked as manufacturing manager with Guild Molders in Middletown, New York. Dominick is an active volunteer in Region 3 with youth Outdoor Education Programs for the development of outdoor skills: fly tying, fly fishing, Firearms Safety Programs, and a wide array of related outdoor activities. He is a licensed hunting and fishing guide, licensed Coast Guard Charter Captain, Vice President Trout Unlimited /Neversink Watershed Chapter #749, Vice President Ulster County Federated Sportsman's Clubs. Dominick is also a delegate to the Orange County Federated Sportsman Clubs, Originator and Chairman of the Ulster County Federation Youth Grant Program, Vice Chair Conservation Alliance of New York, and Former Region 3 Director, New York State Outdoor Guide Association. Dominick is a Fifty plus year member of Shawangunk Fish and Game Association, Walker Valley Sportsman Association and Otisville Sportsman's Association, all of which are in Region 3. He was appointed in 2008 to serve as the representative of Region 3.

Alan L. Rosa, (Region 4) is a lifelong resident of New York State and lives in the Catskill Park near Arkville and has a camp on the Little Woodhull in the Adirondacks. He is a graduate of Margaretville Central School and holds Independent Study in Economics for Business and Business Law from Cornell University. Alan was a professional taxidermist for 15 years, a former accountant and small business owner who was elected Supervisor of the Town of Middletown in 1990 and was on the Delaware County Board of Supervisors. In 1991, he helped found the Coalition of Watershed Towns and became a chief negotiator of the New York City Watershed Memorandum of Agreement which established the Catskill Watershed Corp. Alan was elected the first president of the CWC Board of Directors in 1997, and was named to the Executive Director's post in March, 1999. He has hiked, camped, hunted and fished throughout the Catskills and Adirondacks. Alan continues to work with all involved parties to open New York City watershed lands for recreational use in the Catskills. Alan can be found during his free time fly fishing the streams and small lakes and ponds of New York State.

Jason Kemper, (Region 5) currently resides in the Town of Edinburg, Saratoga County. He received a B.A. in Environmental Science from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from SUNY Albany with a Certificate in GIS Applications. Mr. Kemper is currently employed as Director of Planning for Saratoga County. Prior employment includes Director of Planning for the Town of Clifton Park, Environmental Specialist for the Town of Clifton Park, NYS Emergency Management Office and the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District. He also is a member of the NYS GIS Coordinating Body. Mr. Kemper, who is an avid hunter and fisherman, is well aware of the various issues facing New York State sportsmen today. He particularly enjoys deep wilderness deer hunting and fishing remote brook trout ponds in the Adirondacks. He is currently a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association and the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation. Mr. Kemper participates in the Saratoga County fish stocking program and is involved with the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation and their activities on the Sacandaga. He was appointed by the NYS Assembly as the Region 5 representative to the Conservation Fund Advisory Board in June of 2007.

Linda S. Sicley, (Region 6) is a native New Yorker who has resided in the Town of Worth, Jefferson County, since 1979. She and her husband have two daughters and three sons and raise beef cattle on their farm on the Tug Hill Plateau. Her memberships include the Fur Harvesters Association of Jefferson County where she has been secretary since 1992, the New York State Trapper's Association, and the National Rifle Association. She is a delegate to the Lewis County Association and received the Conservationist of the Year award in 2002. She is a DEC Trapper Training Instructor and has participated in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Environmental Awareness Days since 1994 with a Furbearer Management Presentation. Linda is an active member of the Lorraine United Methodist Church. She is a former Delegate and Secretary of the Jefferson County Sportsmen's Federation where she served on the Legislative and Education Committees. She was appointed in 1998 to serve as Region 6 representative to CFAB. Linda enjoys hunting, fishing, and especially trapping with her family.

Charles (Charlie) Pace (Region 7) is a lifelong resident of Cazenovia, NY in Madison County. He is the Madison County Sports Rep to the NYSDEC Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board. He is also President, Director and Founding member of Sports People Helping Others Through Sharing (SHOTS Inc.) a 501c 3 Non profit charity that works to exemplify the image of Sportsmen and women with integrity, along with promoting compassion and conservation. He is a member of the Pompey Rod and Gun Club, Fenner Conservation Club and the NRA. Charlie has worked on many access and habitat issues and has worked to promote and secure funding for the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) in NYS. In 2006 he was awarded the "Conservationist of the Year" by the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen and was the "Central New York Sportsmen of the Year" in 2008. Charlie has held numerous civic and community affiliated positions including Chairman Fenner Planning Board, President Owahgena Hose Company, Secretary/Treasurer Cazenovia Fire Dept, President CNY Air Force Academy Parents Club and Neighborhood Leader St. James Parish Council. He enjoys trap shooting along with hunting and fishing in NYS and numerous other States.

Charles (Charlie) O. Hancock, Chairman (Region 8) was born in Massachusetts but has been a resident of New York State since 1964. He is married with three children and seven grandchildren. Charlie received a BSEE from the University of Denver and MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He served with the U.S. Army Security Agency as an analyst in Europe. Charlie has received the United Nations Environment Programme "Citation of Excellence", the Canadian "Award of Merit", the U.S. EPA "Outstanding Professional", and the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society "RAC Certification". Charlie is a practicing medical device sterilization consultant with his own firm and partners in a sterilization instrumentation and control company. He represents the USA with the International Standards Organization, (ISO) of Geneva, Switzerland. He is an Active Member of the Canadian Standards Association and the U.S. Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. He has served with the Genesee Conservation League as President and member of the Board of Directors; Monroe County Conservation Council; Finger Lakes Conservation Council; and the New York State Conservation Council. He is President of the Genesee Conservation Foundation, Inc. and is a member of the Oatka Fish and Game Club. Charlie has also represented Monroe County with the New York State Fish and Wildlife Management Board. He is a charter member of the New York State Canal Recreationway Commission and the New York State Open Space Planning Committee. He was appointed as Region 8 representative in 2004.

Dale Dunkelberger (Region 9) is a lifelong resident of Niagara County, graduated from Royalton Hartland Central School, and was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1974. Married with 3 sons, the entire family are avid hunters and fishermen. He has fished and hunted all over the Northeast and Canada and has also hunted in Texas. Dale owns and operates D&H Produce and Greenhouses with his wife, niece and nephew. He has been a member of the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs for over 23 years, past President of the North Forest Rod and Gun Club, Niagara County delegate to the Western NY Environmental Federation, and Niagara County Federation's Region 9 delegate to the New York State Conservation Council where he serves on the Sportsman Education and Environmental Conservation Law Enforcement committees and was also an advisor to the Big Game committee. He has served on the Deer Management Task Force in Region 9. Dale is a Master Instructor in Hunter Education and a certified archery Instructor for the NYSDEC Sportsman Education program. He has received awards from the Niagara County Federation for his dedication to Sportsman Education and Conservation and has been involved in wetlands restoration projects and pheasant projects in Niagara County. He currently serves on the Town of Royalton Master Planning Board as the Conservation Representative, is a Board Member to the Niagara County Gobblers Chapter of the NWTF, and is a Board Member of the Northern Erie Sno -Seekers Snowmobile Club. Dale is a member of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Safari Club International and the North American Bear Foundation and is also a life member of Buckmasters and the North American Hunting and Fishing Club. He was appointed as Region 9 representative in 2008.

Gerald Bierker, (NYS Fish and Wildlife Management Board (FWMB) Representative) Biography pending

Howard (Howie) Cushing, (NYS Conservation Council (NYSCC) Representative) has been married for over forty years with two children and five grandchildren. He has been a self employed heating, air conditioning and ventilation contractor for over 35 years. Mr. Cushing is a lifelong resident of Rensselaer County serving as president and Vice President of the Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance for over 23 years. Starting out Mr. Cushing served as Rensselaer County Waterfowl chairman and Walleye Fish Rearing Chairman for many years. He worked in the early 1970's to develop with a small group of others, a county pistol safety course with NRA instructors to facilitate more responsible handgun owners into the field. With excellent working relationship with the Rensselaer County Executive, legislature and Rensselaer County Soil Water he has helped foster many stream and habitat improvement projects. He is also a member of several area hunting clubs and a life member of the NRA. Statewide Mr. Cushing has served as past President and Vice President of the New York State Conservation Council Inc. for over 14 years. During that time he reviewed and signed numerous hydro agreements, educated stakeholders on the Conservation Fund and the environmental Protection Fund. He has spent many hours and days interacting with both the legislature and Governor helping to insure hunting and fishing opportunities. Mr. Cushing was instrumental in getting the PCB polluted Hudson River back open to fishing since some of the areas of pollution have been contained or are scheduled to be cleaned up. Howard has served under several Governors and many DEC commissioners on numerous task forces and advisory boards such as : Adirondack Storm Blowdown, Hudson River Estuaries, Conservation Reinvestment Act (has brought over $14 M into N.Y.S.) Stewardship Fund, Environmental Enforcement Advisory Task Force, Adirondack Wolf Reintroduction and the Steward Airport Advisory Board. Many of these boards have had impact on the sporting community funding and use. Mr. Cushing has also spent many days in Washington. He participated in a counter support protest in Washington to protect the rights of law abiding gun owners. Howard has served for many years a policy board member for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) . He is also on the Energy and Natural Resources and Climate Change committee for the TRCP. Several years ago Mr. Cushing secured a grant to help inform fisherman on issues concerning the Striped Bass population in both the Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay. He remains committed to protection of the 2^nd amendment and the rights of hunter/women, trappers, and fishermen.

More about NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board:

NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board Monthly Minutes - CFAB Monthly Meeting Minutes - Current Year
Conservation Fund Advisory Board Committees - Conservation Fund Advisory Board.