Tag Archives: DEC

Invasive Species: DEC proposes regulatory changes for boat launches

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing new regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) at DEC boat launches, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced this week.

The proposed regulatory changes require boaters to remove all visible plants and animals from boats, trailers and associated equipment and to drain boats before launching at or leaving a DEC boat launch and waterway access.

DEC will accept public comments on the proposal through February 24, 2014.

The full text of the proposed regulation can be found on DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html.

“These proposed regulatory changes are the latest in a series of actions DEC has taken over the past few years to combat the spread of harmful invasive species, including the emerald ash borer,” Martens said.

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New DEC system running for sporting licenses, game harvest reporting

The New York State Department of Environ-mental Conservation’s (DEC) new computerized sporting licensing system is operational, allowing sportsmen and sportswomen to conduct license transactions, Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

The transition of hunter, angler and trapper data required a temporary shutdown for sales of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, recreational marine fishing registrations and harvest game reporting.

The data transfer has been completed and individuals can resume normal transactions and reporting on the new system. Continue reading →

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DEC responds to hunting calls in towns of Inlet and Long Lake

The Department of Environ-mental Conservation, Region Five, has reported its fall Search and Rescue activity for Hamilton County, which includes the following responses.

Town of Inlet, Moose River Plains Wild Forest

On Saturday, October 26, at approximately 8:15 p.m., DEC Dispatch in Ray Brook received a call reporting two overdue hunters.

Dell Hilbreth, 55, of Savannah, NY, and Tony Hilbreth, 31, of Liverpool, were supposed to meet the rest of their hunting party back at their camp at 4:30 p.m., but had not yet returned.

Two DEC Forest Rangers responded and began searching for the men.

After several hours of searching, both of the Hilbreths were located in good health.  Continue reading →

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DEC issues emergency measures to protect state deer population

Disease could devastate herds, result in severe economic harm to sport industry, says agency

Emergency regulations have been announced that would prohibit the importation of deer into the state, that may be susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

The announcement was made Tuesday by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The DEC cited the need to  protect the state’s deer population, which is critical to a balanced ecosystem and state economy.

The recreational activity of hundreds of thousands of sportsmen and women contribute some $780 million in economic impact statewide, according to DEC. Continue reading →

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Old Forge: DEC, DOT discuss future of Remsen-Lake Placid Rail Corridor

Over 150 citizens gathered for a public meeting at the Town of Webb Park Avenue Building in Old Forge on Monday, September 9 to discuss the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor with officials representing the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation.

The purpose of the meeting was to gather comments from the public and stakeholder groups about “where we’ve been and where we might go” in regards to the corridor, a 119-mile rail line that runs from Remsen through Thendara, Big Moose, Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake to Lake Placid.

Rob Davies, Director of Division of Lands and Forests for the DEC and co-chair of this initiative, told the audience that their objective was to review the 1996 Unit Management Plan and determine whether it should be revised, amended, or remain as is.

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DEC: Brush Burning Ban in effect through May 15

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens has announced that all residential brush burning is prohibited in smaller communities during the state’s historically high fire-risk period from March 16 through May 15th.

Also, DEC Forest Rangers, County Emergency Management Services, and local fire departments are notifying the public that the National Weather Service has declared a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Northern New York during this time period. Several factors enable wildfires to start easily and spread quickly during this time, including the lack of green vegetation, abundance of available fuels such as dry grass and leaves, warm temperatures and wind. Continue reading →

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DEC seeks public remarks on proposed changes to fishing regulations

The New York State DEC is currently accepting public comment regarding a series of proposed changes to freshwater sport fishing regulations—some of which would effect local waters.

Among the proposed changes include the opening of Blue Mountain Lake, Eagle Lake, Forked Lake, Gilman Lake, South Pond and Utowana Lake—all located in Hamilton County—to ice fishing for landlocked salmon and reducing the daily limit for lake trout from three to two per day.

Combined with an existing regulation, this change will create a suite of nine lakes in the county that will have the same ice fishing regulations for lake trout and landlocked salmon. Continue reading →

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