ALBANY, N.Y. - In response to a growing population of bears, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has expanded hunting zones to include 13 new areas in central and western New York this fall.
State DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis says the hunting boundaries were expanded because the black bear population has grown in number and range in recent years, and hunting is an important tool in managing bear population growth.
The current bear population in New York state is estimated at around 7,000, with about 2,000 of those in the southern half of the state and the rest in the Adirondacks, said Gordon Batcheller, a DEC wildlife biologist.
"When I started my career in western New York in 1981, black bears weren't a significant presence," Batcheller said. "Now my colleagues in that area say dealing with black bears is a regular occurrence."
September 20, 2008. Albany Times Union: Village holds tale of faded glory
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September 18, 2008, Newday: Boundaries expanded for NY bear hunting
Boundaries expanded for NY bear hunting
Reports of bear problems in the state are down now, Batcheller said, because this summer's weather has produced a bumper crop of nuts and berries and bears are less inclined to seek food in residential areas.
Attacks on humans by bears are almost unheard-of in New York state, Batcheller said, although there have been a number of them documented in other parts of the country. Most complaints involve bears looking for food.
"As we trace problems between people and bears, it invariably leads back to bears getting into food," Batcheller said. "If they find food, they'll keep coming back until it's gone. Then they learn that food is associated with human habitation, and they get into the habit of looking for it there."
In May, a 6-foot black bear that was roaming around the Syracuse suburb of Geddes was euthanized because it developed a habit of hanging around residential areas. In 2007, it had been captured and relocated after causing damage in the Seneca County village of Waterloo.
In August 2006, officers from the DEC shot and killed a 350-pound male black bear that had become aggressive toward campers in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. The bear was accustomed to raiding the food supplies of backpackers in the heavily used Flowed Lands camping area.
In response to problems with bears habitually stealing hikers' food, the DEC has since made it mandatory for High Peaks campers to carry food and garbage in bear-proof canisters or face fines.
To educate people about preventing bear problems, the DEC recently produced a DVD that has been distributed to libraries and schools throughout the state, Batcheller said.
"Our concern is really trying to emphasize that in black bear range, which is expanding to include more and more of New York state, food attracts bears," Batcheller said. "In some cases, people may be feeding bears and not even realize it, if they have birdfeeders or poorly kept compost bins."
Bowhunting season for bears in the Southern Zone of New York begins on Oct. 18 and regular bear season begins Nov. 22. In the Catskills, regular bear season starts Nov. 15.
In 2007, hunters killed 1,117 bears in New York, up from 796 in 2006.
September 18, 2008, WAMC New Leader for Catskill Center by Susan Barnett
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New Leader for Catskill Center
ARKVILLE, NY (2008-09-18) The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development was central to the negotiations on the proposed Belleayre Ski Resort and lost its former director to the state department of parks, recreation and historic preservation a few months ago. Lisa Rainwater, who has spent the past few years working with Riverkeeper and other groups opposed to the Indian Point Nuclear Plant, recently moved into the corner office in rural Arkville. Hudson Valley bureau chief Susan Barnett spoke with her about her vision for the Catskills |
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Environmental Groups Seek Gas-Drilling Moratorium
Environmental Groups Seek Gas-Drilling Moratorium
Seven environmental organizations have sent a letter to Governor Paterson asking for a moratorium on gas drilling until an environmental review has been completed.The Governor's Office said the state is pursuing a new Generic Environmental Impact Statement on gas drilling. However, permits may still be approved before the process is complete.
The letter was signed by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, Riverkeeper Inc., DelawareRiverkeeper Network, Natural Resources Defense Council, Catskill Center for Conservation & Development, the Wilderness Society and Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy.
"There is an opportunity for New York to be the first state to deal with this type of development in a safe and comprehensive way," said Catskill Mountainkeeper's Wes Gillingham. "To do that we need a moratorium on new drilling permits giving ... time to research the cumulative impacts of drilling."
CAPTION: Catskill Mountainkeeper's Wes Gillingham
September 14, 2008, Daily Freeman: Belleayre ski center backers rally against cuts
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September 14, 2008, Daily Freeman: Belleayre ski center backers rally against cuts
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Belleayre ski center backers rally against cuts
HIGHMOUNT - Local residents, business owners and employees of the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center turned out in droves at the state-owned facility Saturday morning to rally against Belleayre budget cuts that many say would threaten their livelihood. The event, organized by the Coalition to Save Belleayre, attracted more than 200 people who were drawn to the mountain by a word-of-mouth message that the coalition, which was to meet that morning, decided just days ago to open the session to the public. The matter at hand for all involved was the recent announcement that Belleayre faces severe budget cuts, putting as many as 300 jobs in jeopardy and reducing ski operations for the coming winter season. One by one, speakers took turns explaining how the cutbacks would do harm to them personally and hurt the region surrounding Belleayre, which is in the Shandaken hamlet of Highmount, near the border of Ulster and Delaware counties. The governments of the three towns likely to be most affected - Shandaken and Hardenburgh in Ulster County, and Middletown in Delaware County - had representatives on hand Saturday to say their respective municipalities already has taken official stances opposing the cuts planned by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which operates the ski center. U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, sent word that he would reach out to Gov. David Paterson and work to halt any cutbacks. State Sen. John Bonacic's chief of staff, Langdon Chapman, pledged the Mount Hope Republican senator's support to the cause, saying Albany needs to be aware of Belleayre's importance to the local economy. "People get their lives changed every day because Belleayre exists," Chapman said, adding that he feels a bit like the main character in Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist." "Please sir, can we have an economy, too?" he said, to applause from the crowd. Len Bernardo, a candidate for Ulster County executive, suggested a new name for DEC. "It should be renamed the Department of Economic Cuts," said Bernardo, an enrolled Conservative from Accord who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. Robert Shapiro, a Fleischmanns resident, said everyone knows the state needs to make budget cuts, but he questioned the fairness of plans to cut as deep into Belleayre as is being discussed. He wondered if other state-run recreation facilities face the same fate. "Are the people at Bethpage Golf Course wondering if they will have the grass cut there? Are the folks at Jones Beach wondering if the number of lifeguards will be reduced?" he asked. When operating fully, Belleayre, off state Route 28, boasts the Catskills' only Cat-access skiing and a widened and improved halfpipe and Area 51 Terrain Park. With 47 trails, parks and glades and eight lifts, including a new high-speed quad, Belleayre has evolved over the years, especially since the 1980s, when it faced closure. Skier visits have grown from 70,000 in 1995 to more than 175,000. It was noted at the meeting on Saturday that, at present, no one really knows the extent of the proposed cuts, but speculation among those concerned puts them anywhere between a closing of the facility to a bare-bones operation that would use only a couple of lifts and a handful of trails. The Department of Environmental Conservation said on Friday that Belleayre will be open seven days a week this season, but officials would not discuss the details of any possible cuts, saying only that nothing has been decided. Representatives of the Coalition to Save Belleayre handed out contact sheets to those who attended Saturday's rally and urged them to make use of them. The names on the sheets includes state Environmental Commissioner Alexander "Pete" Grannis; Paterson; state Assemblymen Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, and Clifford Crouch, R-Guilford; Hinchey and U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport; Bonacic; and county officials in Ulster and Delaware counties. |
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September 13, 2008, The Daily Mail: Barber says economy needs fixing
Barber says economy needs fixing
CATSKILL — Greene County Democrats opened their campaign office at 362 Main St., Catskill, Wednesday afternoon with a formal ribbon cutting, and NYS 51st Senate District candidate Don Barber was the guest of honor.
Barber, who hails from the western end of the district, in Tompkins County, told those present that his is a progressive agenda that focuses on improving the economy, fixing health care, and protecting family farms and the environment.
Barber touted his farming background and small business owner status — he owns a construction company with eight full-time employees — as a major difference between himself and incumbent Republican state Senator James Seward (R-Oneonta), who is seeking re-election.
“Why not have a working person representing you in Albany?” Barber said to those present.
He said Seward has “been in Albany 22 years,” and cited an increased state debt and the flight of young adults from the region as two of the results from the state over those years.
Barber also noted the size of the 51st Senatorial District, and indicated his experience with rural issues applies well to it.
“This district is huge,” he said. “It goes from here to Tompkins County,” and noted that it takes three-and-a-half hours to cross.
“This district is 10 percent of the land mass in New York State,” Barber said, adding that it includes farmlands, the Catskills and part of the Adirondacks.
Barber was first elected 15 years ago as a town councilman in Caroline, served four years, ran for supervisor, was elected, and is now in his sixth two-year term.
After the ribbon ceremony Barber said that his municipal service in the Town of Caroline offers good examples of the type of perspective he brings to government.
“There are two things especially,” he said.
“Since I’ve been on the Town Board, our tax rate has gone up less than one-percent a year for all 15 years that I’ve been on the board,” he said.
“And second, even though we were fiscally responsible, we’ve still been very progressive,” he said.
Barber said that included completion of two groundwater aquifer studies — one for the Six Mile Creek aquifer and one for the Willseyville aquifer — and surface water management of the Six Mile Creek to address flooding.
He indicated he is especially proud of the municipality’s energy policy.
“We were the second municipality in all of New York State,” said Barber, “to purchase 100 percent of our municipal electricity from a green source.”
That green source is wind energy, for which the town signed a three-year contract several years ago. In addition, he said they signed a contract for methane last year.
Barber said they have thus been “keeping the budget (down), while getting the community moved ahead.”
Barber also said the wind policy inspired the creation of a local citizens group, Energy Independent Caroline, and that on a single day in April they distributed one compact fluorescent light bulb to every household in the town.
He said it was about 100 volunteers, and that while some bulbs were delivered by car, many were also delivered by horseback, bicycle or foot.
On the issues, Barber said that he is running for Senate because, “The economy around us, and in upstate New York, needs a real boost. It needs it for our children,” he said.
“I’ve been a small, local business owner,” Barber said. “So I know the perspective of what they need. Small businesses are the basis for any economy.”
“Health care is a huge burden on business, small and large,” Barber said, “as well as a burden on our property taxes, and the solution is single-payer health care,” which he described as “publicly financed, privately delivered health care, like Medicare, for all.”
“It is the biggest impediment to starting up a business,” Barber said, “and something that makes New York State’s larger businesses non-competitive in the international market, because it’s not a burden on our competition in all the other industrial countries.”
Barber said there is also a third item that needs to be addressed.
“New York State is dysfunctional,” said Barber. “It’s known as the most dysfunctional state government in the U.S.”
Barber indicated that an initial step is correcting that condition.
“Most of the things I talked about aren’t functional until we get them out of their dysfunctional nature,” he said, and indicated that if elected, he is not opposed to reaching out to Republicans to solve the problem.
“I’m experienced working across the aisle,” he said.
“There is a great opportunity in 2009 when the State Senate changes its majority to Democrats,” Barber said. “The Senate is only two seats away from changing its majority.”
Fellow Democrats said Barber is the right man for the job.
“Don Barber,” said Greene County Democratic Party Vice chairman Brud Miller, “has a proven track record in the Town of Caroline, particularly on energy.”
“He’s a businessman,” said Miller, “and he’s not part of Albany.”
“I think he will bring a good economy for all of Greene County, as well as the rest of the district,” Miller said.
State Democratic Party Committeewoman Marie Greco of Catskill agreed.
“The man is a small businessman, and he’s a farmer,” Greco said.
“I appreciate all that he stands for,” Greco said, “and I think that he will be good for the working people of this area.”
Town of Athens Democratic Party Chairman Paul Hasbrouck also noted Barber’s experience.
“He’s a working person. He’s going to be for the working person,” Hasbrouck said. “I think that’s very important.”
“I think a lot of the politicians in this nation forgot about the working people, who built America,” he said. “They’ve gone to special interests, and I think Don Barber can bring that back.”
“Small businesses built America,” Hasbrouck said. “I think he’ll give us a little more help for the middle class.”
To reach reporter Jim Planck, call 518-943-2100, ext. 3324, or e-mail [email protected].
September 13, 2008, Oneonta Star: Belleayre Festival on, but moved
Belleayre Festival on, but moved
By Patricia BreakeyDelhi News Bureau
The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced Friday that the 29th annual Belleayre Fall Festival will be held at the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville on Columbus Day weekend. The event is traditionally at the DEC's Belleayre Mountain ski area, but a DEC spokeswoman said the event, set for Oct. 11 and 12, was moved because of a partnership between DEC and the railroad. Maureen Wren, DEC spokeswoman, said that Belleayre Mountain representatives will be at the festival to provide information about tickets for the upcoming ski season. She said Belleayre will operate seven days a week this season, but the DEC will continue to evaluate the ski center's operation. This year's festival will offer train rides, a ski and winter apparel sale, live music, food, dozens of craft vendors, a kid's crafts tent and face painting, she said. The rally was called by the Coalition to Save Belleayre when rumors began to circulate that the fall festival was being canceled and the ski season might be shortened. Joe Kelly, coalition spokesman, said that when word leaked that the harvest festival was not being held at Belleayre, "It was making people very nervous, but it was impossible to get definitive statements out of the DEC. "This event brings as many as 16,000 people to our community in one single weekend," Kelly continued. "Cutting this out will make our hotels and restaurants bleed profusely, to say nothing of the stores, gas stations and others who benefit." Kelly said he understands the need for cuts and that everyone has to share in the pain of the current economy. But, he added, not only do local businesses that depend on Belleayre suffer, but so do the counties that depend on the sales tax and bed tax revenues generated by these visitors. Rich Schaedle, chairman of the Catskill Heritage Alliance, said its opposition to the rumored budget cuts was voiced in letters sent to state and federal representatives and to legislators in Ulster and Delaware counties. On Friday, Sen. John Bonacic issued a prepared statement saying, "In eight years, the Senate has worked to direct nearly $20 million to Belleayre for more trails, a new lift, and now a major lodge expansion. In fact, this year, there is another $750,000 allocated. "The DEC cannot now turn its back on the Catskills," Bonacic continued. Schaedle described the ski center as "an important recreational destination for the state and an engine of economic vitality for this region." Schaedle said word of the rumored festival cancellation came from vendors, who said they received letters announcing that the event would not be held. ___ Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at [email protected].
September 13, 2008: Albany Times Union, Official leaf-peepers behind state updates on fall hues
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Eye on changing landscape
Official leaf-peepers behind state updates on fall hues
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| By SHARON HONG, Staff writer First published: Saturday, September 13, 2008 |
| GRAFTON -- Frances May keeps one eye on the road and the other on the trees while driving to work each day this time of year.
It's been her fall custom for 14 years to take note of the leaves around Grafton Lakes State Park, where she works as a park and recreation aide. May is an official state leaf-peeper, whose job is watching for the change from green to more vibrant colors. Observers like May report what they see to the Empire State Development Division of Tourism, which creates the fall updates residents and tourists use to find peak leaf color around the state. "We get yellows and oranges and rusts and reds," May said. "I think the sugar maples -- sugar maples are the red and orange combination on the same tree -- they're the prettiest." Volunteers like May are recruited through tourism promotion agencies or public appeals, said Eric Scheffel, senior public information specialist for the state tourism division. He calls himself "head leaf-peeper." Volunteers file weekly reports noting the approximate percentage of trees that have changed in their area, the brilliance of the colors, the predominant color and stage of progress. The task is one part diligence and two parts enthusiasm, Scheffel said. "They just have to have enthusiasm for observing and recording what they see," Scheffel said. Initially, May said, "Oh, it was a fun thing to do, it was a volunteer thing, and I just liked doing it. "I've always liked trees and being in the country and nature. ... When we were in school we used to go and collect leaves and we would press them between two pieces of wax paper." Most of the state's 60 official peepers have dual lives as employees of tourism offices or state parks. A few members of the public have volunteered, including an elementary school student, Scheffel recalled. He was supervised by his mother, who helped record and send in his observations, Scheffel said. Currently, there are five or six citizen peepers. Updates from the foliage spotters are compiled and generated into progress reports for the I Love New York program. The report is available on the I Love New York Web site and through a hot line. I Love New York also creates a color-coded map indicating peak foliage change across the state. The first report for this fall was released on Wednesday and predicts 30 percent color change in the Adirondacks around Mount Arab and Tupper Lake and 15 percent around the Catskills. Trees around the rest of the state are showing 10 percent or less color change. Around Grafton, it's about 2 percent, May said. The state posts weekly reports on Wednesdays through the end of the season in mid- to late October. The peak in the region usually is around Columbus Day, a long weekend for many tourists, Scheffel said. Last year's peak was around Oct. 17. May predicts the viewing season will be good this year. "Last year, it was kind of a dull year, the leaves seemed to just turn brown and then fall off," she said. "But this year they're starting to really color. I think we'll have a really good season if we don't get too much rain." Tourism to the Adirondack and Catskill regions brought in more than $2 billion in the past eight years and is a $1.6 billion industry in the Capital Region, supporting 32,560 jobs, according to Empire State Development's NYS Tourism Economic Impact Study from 2008. Fall attracts a significant number of visitors. May encouraged residents and tourists to take advantage of the weekends to enjoy the foliage. "Definitely, if you want to get your children out, away from the computer, take 'em leaf-peeking," said. But, she warned, "Be careful when you're driving." Sharon Hong can be reached at 454-5414 or by e-mail at [email protected]. |
September 11, 2008 WAMC, Ramsay Adams Interviewed about NYC Watershed
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HUDSON VALLEY, NY (2008-09-11) New York City's water is the focus of attention on two fronts: many environmental groups are calling for a ban on gas drilling that could endanger it. Meanwhile, residents along the city's aqueduct system say they're sick of pumping the city's water out of their flooded basements. Hudson Valley bureau chief Susan Barnett reports.
