01-26-2011, 12:16 PM
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that DEC will seek public input on the current ban on transporting uncertified baitfish.
The ban was established in 2007 after an outbreak of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) in the Great Lakes system in 2005. VHS is a disease that causes internal bleeding and sometimes death in certain fish when they are stressed in cooler temperatures. While VHS was the primary concern, eight other pathogens also were addressed when the rules were established.
The current regulations ban "the overland (motorized) transport of personally collected baitfish (baitfish that are uncertified as far as not tested for fish diseases)." This is the only part of the state's fish-health regulations that DEC is seeking comment on at this time.
DEC has slated a series of public meetings across the state (schedule attached). For two of the meeting dates, there will be live video feed at multiple locations. In addition, members of the public may participate by web conference. To learn how to use a home computer to participate, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/66191.html for more information.
In addition to public meetings, written and online comments will be accepted until Sept. 10, 2010. Written comments should be submitted to Shaun Keeler, NYSDEC, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 or e-mailed to fishregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Additional background information about the overland transport regulation and about the upcoming meetings is available on DEC's website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/66191.html
Public Meeting Schedule:
July 13, 2010 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Buffalo Area; Sheridan Parkside Community Center<br />
169 Sheridan Parkside Drive<br />
Tonawanda, NY 14150<br />
716-851-7010
July 21, 2010 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM<br />
Albany Area; NYSDEC Headquarters<br />
Public Assembly Room 129A&B<br />
625 Broadway<br />
Albany, NY 12233<br />
518-402-8044
Thousand Island Area (Live video feed)<br />
NYSDEC Region 6 Headquarters<br />
317 Washington Street<br />
Watertown, NY 13601<br />
315-785-2252
Syracuse Area (Live video feed)<br />
NYSDEC Region 7 Headquarters<br />
615 Erie Boulevard<br />
W. Syracuse, NY 13204<br />
315-426-7413
Rochester Area (Live video feed)<br />
NYSDEC Region 8 Headquarters<br />
6274 Avon-Lima Rd. (Rtes. 5 and 20)<br />
Avon, NY 14414-9519<br />
585-226-5324
NYSDEC Region 8 Bath Sub-Office<br />
(Live video feed)<br />
7291 Coon Road<br />
Bath, NY 14810<br />
585-226-5324
July 28, 2010 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM<br />
Albany Area; NYSDEC Headquarters<br />
Public Assembly Room 129A&B<br />
625 Broadway<br />
Albany, NY 12233<br />
518-402-8044
Catskill Area<br />
NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters<br />
(Live video feed)<br />
21 South Putt Corners Road<br />
New Paltz, NY 12561<br />
845-256-3018
Adirondack Area<br />
NYSDEC Region 5 Headquarters<br />
(Live video feed)<br />
1115 NYS Rte. 86<br />
Ray Brook, NY 12977<br />
518-897-1211
Media Contact<br />
Lori Severino (518) 402-8000
The ban was established in 2007 after an outbreak of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) in the Great Lakes system in 2005. VHS is a disease that causes internal bleeding and sometimes death in certain fish when they are stressed in cooler temperatures. While VHS was the primary concern, eight other pathogens also were addressed when the rules were established.
The current regulations ban "the overland (motorized) transport of personally collected baitfish (baitfish that are uncertified as far as not tested for fish diseases)." This is the only part of the state's fish-health regulations that DEC is seeking comment on at this time.
DEC has slated a series of public meetings across the state (schedule attached). For two of the meeting dates, there will be live video feed at multiple locations. In addition, members of the public may participate by web conference. To learn how to use a home computer to participate, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/66191.html for more information.
In addition to public meetings, written and online comments will be accepted until Sept. 10, 2010. Written comments should be submitted to Shaun Keeler, NYSDEC, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 or e-mailed to fishregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Additional background information about the overland transport regulation and about the upcoming meetings is available on DEC's website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/66191.html
Public Meeting Schedule:
July 13, 2010 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Buffalo Area; Sheridan Parkside Community Center<br />
169 Sheridan Parkside Drive<br />
Tonawanda, NY 14150<br />
716-851-7010
July 21, 2010 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM<br />
Albany Area; NYSDEC Headquarters<br />
Public Assembly Room 129A&B<br />
625 Broadway<br />
Albany, NY 12233<br />
518-402-8044
Thousand Island Area (Live video feed)<br />
NYSDEC Region 6 Headquarters<br />
317 Washington Street<br />
Watertown, NY 13601<br />
315-785-2252
Syracuse Area (Live video feed)<br />
NYSDEC Region 7 Headquarters<br />
615 Erie Boulevard<br />
W. Syracuse, NY 13204<br />
315-426-7413
Rochester Area (Live video feed)<br />
NYSDEC Region 8 Headquarters<br />
6274 Avon-Lima Rd. (Rtes. 5 and 20)<br />
Avon, NY 14414-9519<br />
585-226-5324
NYSDEC Region 8 Bath Sub-Office<br />
(Live video feed)<br />
7291 Coon Road<br />
Bath, NY 14810<br />
585-226-5324
July 28, 2010 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM<br />
Albany Area; NYSDEC Headquarters<br />
Public Assembly Room 129A&B<br />
625 Broadway<br />
Albany, NY 12233<br />
518-402-8044
Catskill Area<br />
NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters<br />
(Live video feed)<br />
21 South Putt Corners Road<br />
New Paltz, NY 12561<br />
845-256-3018
Adirondack Area<br />
NYSDEC Region 5 Headquarters<br />
(Live video feed)<br />
1115 NYS Rte. 86<br />
Ray Brook, NY 12977<br />
518-897-1211
Media Contact<br />
Lori Severino (518) 402-8000