THE ASSEMBLY

STATE OF NEWYORK
ALBANY
RANKINGMINORITY[i]E[,4BER
Committeeon Local Governments
TONY JORDAN
COMI\,IITTEES
Assemblyman1121h
Districi
Banks
I\,lEMBER Codes
LegislaliveEihicsCommission Judiciary
AssemblyRepublicanReviewCommillee Ways and IVIeans

April 13,2011

The HonorableGovemor Andrew Cuomo

StateCapitol
Albaty,NY 12224

Dear Govemor Cuomo,

We are writing regardingthe ConservationFund. Each year, thousandsof sportsmenand

women acrossthe statepay licensefeesthat are depositedin the ConservationFund. Thesefunds
areto be usedsolely for the purposeof enhancingand maintainingrecreationalsporting
opportunitiesand programsacrossthe state.

The Deparlmentof EnvironmentalConservation(DEC) is the stateagencythat

administerstheseopportunitiesfunded by the conservationFund. over the past severalyears,
DEC has experiencedstaffing reductionslike most other stateagencies.What we find troubling,
however,is that many ofthese staffing reductionshave impactedthe very servicesand progriLrns
that sportsmenare paying for through their licensingfees.The chairman of the conservation
Fund Advisory Board (GFAB), which helps overseethe managementand expendituresof this
fund, advisesus that repeatedattemptsby the CFAB to use licenserevenuesto fill positionsand
ensurethe continuationof promised servicesto sportsmenand women have been deniedby the
Division of Budget (DOB).

The State'scurrent fiscal situation is without parallel in recentmemory, and we

understandand agreethat reductionsin spendingand in the size of stategovemmentare needed.
Thesestaff positionsand programs,however,are different. The citizens who pay theselicense
feesdo so voluntarily with the understandingthat the feeswill be usedto increaseand improve
hunting and fishing opportunitiesacrossthe state.Two yearsago, the sporting community
experiencedsignificant licensefee increasesin order to maintain the servicesprovided by the
DEC. If we do not continue supportingand improving fishing and hunting opportunities
throughoutthis state,we will not only lose an important recreationaltradition, but also a malor
part of our upstateeconomy.

ALBANYOFFICE:Room 725, LegislaiiveOtficeBuilding,Albany,NewYork 12248 . 518-455-5404,FAX.518-455-3727

DISTRICTOFFICETWashinglonCounty lvlunicipalCenter,383 Broadway,Room 202, Fort Edward,NewYork 12828 . 518-747-7jga,FAX: A-747-7202
E mail:jordanj@assembly.staie.ny.
us
 DenyingDEC andCFAB the abilityto access thesefirndsfor the programstheyare
intendedis a breechof trustwith our sportingcommunity.We, asgovemmental leaders,cannot
in goodconscience continueto collectlicensefeesfrom theseresidentsandnot providethe
servicesfor whichtheyarepaying.Worseyet,we havenow heardthatDOB is considering
sweepingsomeor all of themoneyheldin the Conservation Fund.Theonly reasona significant
fundbalanceexistsis DOB will not allocatemoneyto DEC to delivertheprogramsandservices
thefeeswereintendedto provide.This shouldnot andcannotbe allowedto happen.To now
mentionsweepingthesefundsto otherpurposes wouldnot only violateour agreementwith the
sportingcommunityof New York, but it may alsojeopardizethe futureof our FederalWildlife
fundsaswell.

This is a very seriousissuethatwill impactnegativelythe futureofour cherished

sportingtraditionin this state.We respectfullyrequesta meetingwith your officeto discussthis
importantandcomplexissuefurtherat a time andplaceofyour convenience. Pleasecontact
Assembl),man Jordan'sdistrictofficeat (518)747-7098to arangethis meeting.We look
forwardto hearingfrom you.

Sincerely,

n n
', -,*,
4_-, (/^"t-/ '
TeresaSayward danetDuprey /^
Memberof Assem Memberof Assembly
113th
District 114*District