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Natural Resources Highlights December, 2008 Salmon River Encroachment Violation Removal - A long standing violation (perhaps first occurring 14 or 15 years ago) is finally being corrected. The fish cleaning station, associated with Da La Lodge, has stood for many years on the DEC conservation easement with National Grid in the Town of Altmar in Oswego County. The violation was very egregious and apparent to anyone traveling by, because easement signs are posted that make the encroachment very clear. Despite many efforts by DEC staff, the violation, which was referred to the Office of the Attorney General, never was addressed completely. In the meantime, the owner, Don Andrews, would brag about how he was able to encroach on DEC land and get away with it. With the near potential of attaining ownership of an additional 3000 plus acres of land along the Salmon River and the S. R. Reservoir at Redfield, we continued to seek help to resolve the violation.An opportunity to discuss the encroachment occurred at a Lands and Forests program review in April attended by new executive staff. We stated that this was the number one priority encroachment case in the state, which got the attention of the executive office. Shortly thereafter, a telephone conference occurred between staffs of DEC and the AG’s office. We made the priority and need very clear. In response, the AG’s office scheduled a court date to argue the case, won the case, and the fish cleaning station now has been removed from the state easement. Final inspection of the site may not be completed yet to ensure that all required clean up work has been completed to the satisfaction of the State. But this is a long sought correction of a violation that has been celebrated by almost all DEC staff who were involved in this case for all these years. Region 7 Needs a Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) Representative - Charlie Pace completed the term of Craig Tryon, but has notified us that he is not able to seek a reappointment to the position for another term. Accordingly, Region 7 is seeking interested candidates to serve as the Regional CFAB representative. Any interested sportsmen leader may send in a letter of interest stating why he or she wishes to serve in this capacity, and a resume summarizing his or her qualifications for the position. Send the original letter and resume to Ken Lynch and a copy to me by Friday, January 16, 2009, at the addresses listed below. The Region 7 CFAB representative is appointed by the governor. Ken and I will review the letters of interest and resumes of qualifications, and send them with our recommendations to the Governor’s Office for final consideration and appointment. The process of review may take months. Kenneth P. Lynch Regional Director NYS DEC Region 7 615 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, New York 13204-2400 Phone: (315) 426-7403, FAX: (315) 426-7408 kplynch@gw.dec.state.ny.us Gerald P. Rasmussen Regional Supervisor of Natural Resources NYS DEC Region 7 1285 Fisher Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045-1090 Phone: (607) 753-3095, ext. 201, FAX: (607) 753-8532 gprasmus@gw.dec.state.ny.us
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