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For Release: Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Commissioner Grannis Applauds Recommendations of Conservation Fund Advisory Board

Voices Support for Modest Increases in Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Licenses to Assure Solvency of State Conservation Fund

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today thanked the members of the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) for their recent recommendations on how to improve fish and wildlife programs. At its March meeting, CFAB endorsed a proposal to modestly increase hunting, trapping and fishing fees, a plan that is supported by Commissioner Grannis.

"Fish and wildlife programs play a vital role in New York's environment and economy," Commissioner Grannis said. "As we all know, New York is facing a record budget deficit and must make some very difficult choices. I applaud the members of the CFAB for stepping up to the challenge and making responsible recommendations for dealing with the growing deficit in the Conservation Fund. The Department of Environmental Conservation endorses a new fee structure based on the proposal and is confident that the additional revenues will help address the fish and wildlife issues facing the state."

Commissioner Grannis also expressed appreciation to the New York State Conservation Council and other sportsmen and sportswomen groups that provided input to DEC over the past few months. "As a community, hunters, anglers, and trappers are committed stewards of our valuable natural resources, and I am grateful for their dedication to the outdoors and their participation as we collectively tackled this problem," the commissioner said.

Money from hunting and fishing licenses is dedicated to the Conservation Fund, which supports a number of programs including fish hatcheries, sporting license databases, wildlife health monitoring studies and stream and lake surveys. In January, Governor Paterson requested that DEC work with sportsmen's groups to develop a fee structure that would ensure the continuation of these programs, as well as the state's pheasant farm in Tompkins County.

The last comprehensive license fee adjustments occurred in 2002.

The proposed fee schedule would take effect on Oct. 1, 2009. Notably, the proposal would not increase fees for the new Junior Big-Game Hunting license or junior trapping license signed into law by Governor Paterson last year, or the fishing license for those 70 and older. Also, the proposal calls for dropping the price of a one-day fishing license from $15 to $5.

New Yorkers are reminded that in order to hunt and fish in the state, they are required to apply for the appropriate licenses. More information on license fees, legal seasons and other information related to hunting and fishing opportunities in New York visit the DEC website.

Prioised License Fee Schedule

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