These funds are administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and are returned to the states through a formula that depends upon how many fishing and hunting licenses are sold in each state and how much each state contributed through those excise taxes.
Funds collected through these various programs are to be specifically dedicated to wildlife restoration and other appropriate, similar programs administered through the Conservation Fund. In other words, the money in effect goes back to the people who paid the taxes on the aforementioned items.
These funds are not to be used for infrastructure repairs, paying off debt etc. or building up the general fund. Now, that’s where the problem lies. Gov. Andrew Cuomo decided, in his 2011-12 budget, that the Division of the Budget could tap into this fund, as well as other dedicated funds, to balance the books if necessary.
F&WS HAS CONCERNS
You may think that’s not apt to happen, and it might not, but it’s not without precedent. In 1990, then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, Andrew’s father, raided the Conservation Fund for over $20 million and transferred it to the General Fund, though he did repay $15 million of it a few years later. But he also dismembered a $1 million fund dedicated for ATV trail construction and maintenance and placed that in the General Fund as well, and that money has never been restored.
What bothers the Fish and Wildlife Service is the very fact that the Division of the Budget can tap into the Conservation Fund, even if it never does it. Just because the budget allows it doesn’t mean it will happen, but it might, and that bears close scrutiny.
30-DAY EXTENSION
At the time I last addressed this, the State of New York had only a few days left - by July 15 - to make some hard decisions and convince the F&WS the Conservation Fund would never be used for anything other than its intended purpose and would not be used for General Fund balancing. Now comes news that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation asked for, and apparently received, a 30-day extension to more fully respond to Fish & Wildlife Service concerns.
That gives them precious little time to convince the F&WS the Conservation Fund is safe from raiding. If they can’t, then the $20 million is history.
My only question is why is DEC being asked to respond anyway? It was the governor’s decision so let him respond and somehow convince the F&WS the Conservation Fund is untouchable.
A GOOD READ
The summer months aren’t normally a good time for me to do much reading, but when it’s too hot or too wet to go out fishing (conditions we’ve had a lot of this year) then I go into high gear with my reading. Normally, this consists of perusing one or more of the dozen outdoor magazines to which I subscribe but occasionally a book comes along that grabs my attention and if it’s good enough I tell you about it.
Recently I had the pleasure of reading “Adirondack Sportsman’s Reader” by Don Wharton. Don resides in South Glens Falls and has written two books previously, “Adirondack Forest and Stream” and “Backwoods Tales.” If you enjoy reading about the Adirondacks of yesteryear, you’re sure to also enjoy this 129-page book published by Pine Mountain Press.
MEMORIES
I finished it in just two days and I’m certain you’ll find it as informative and memory tweaking as I. As you get into the first few paragraphs you’ll note that Hamilton County is well represented throughout the publication. Many of the places mentioned in this book were my “ol’ stompin’ grounds” as well and it sure got pleasant memories rolling.
A sample of chapter titles in Wharton’s book are: The Whitetail Deer; the Last Adirondack Moose; Brooktrout Lake Trip - 1927; Deer Hunting - West Canada County - 1945; Spruce Lake Trip - 1890; Harrisburg; Whitehouse Pike; From Pancakes to Lumberjacks (about the sportsman’s shows once held in Amsterdam); and Wolf Creek Deer Hunting, among others.
INTERESTING PHOTOS
“Adirondack Sportsman’s Reader” is also liberally complemented by many interesting photos; some old and some more recent, but all interesting. You’ll also note that some of the articles are reprints of pieces that appeared in The Conservationist magazine and Hamilton County News, as well as a few other publications.
I heartily recommend this book. I’m now reading it a second time, in the event I missed something the first time around.
You can purchase copies a variety of places including Charlie John’s Store in Speculator, Hoss’s Country Corner in Long Lake, The Crock Room in Wells, Adirondack Reader in Inlet or Mysteries on Main Street in Johnstown. For additional information you can contact Don Wharton at (518) 793-3518.
BASS FOR CASH
Saturday, Aug. 13, just 10 days from today, the Speculator / Lake Pleasant / Piseco Fish and Game Club will host its 2011 Bass For Cash Partners Tournament on Oxbow Lake. The entry fee is $50 per boat, with an extra $10 per boat if you wish to participate in the optional tagged bass competition. Registration will begin at 5 a.m. at The Oxbow Inn on Oxbow Lake.
If you’d like an entry form or any additional information on this event you can call (518) 548-3005 and leave a message on the answering machine.
RECORD BROOK TROUT
In the event you hadn’t heard, we have a new state record brook trout. It weighed in at 5 pounds 8 ounces, was 22 inches long and was taken June 15 in South Lake in Herkimer County, on a Lake Clear Wabbler. This fish surpasses the previous record by 3 1/2 ounces.