Environmental News and Events for Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties (Region 8)

In This Issue:

• Construction of Resiliency Project in Monroe County Complete
• Give the Gift of Wildlife Conservation
• DEC Annual Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster Contest
• New "Why I Hunt" and "Why I Fish" Photo Essay Contest
• Environmental Conservation Police Officer Highlights

DEC Announces Completion of Construction of Resiliency Project in Town of Greece, Monroe County

One of 11 projects awarded to the town of Greece, Monroe County, through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) is now complete. The work includes upgrade of Braddock Road sewers and elevation of Braddock Road sanitary pump station. The project's mitigation measures will eliminate flood risk through these improvements and protect nearby homes and the public marina.

During high water events in 2017 and 2019, storm sewers in the Braddock Road area were overwhelmed and the local storm water outfalls backed up, which became an additional source of flooding. Residents resorted to discharging their sumps into the sanitary sewer, putting those critical systems at risk. Without direct intervention, continued flooding would jeopardize the structural integrity of local roads homes, and sanitary sewer systems, along with presenting safety concerns to emergency responders. The infrastructure improvements that have been made will mitigate the impacts of future flooding events and will protect the sanitary sewer from being overwhelmed. These mitigation measures will provide overall flood resiliency for 256 households and the Braddock Bay Park and Public Marina.

DEC is the lead agency on the Braddock Road Sewers project. Additional REDI projects awarded to the town of Greece are anticipated to break ground early next year.

Give the Gift of Wildlife Conservation with a Lifetime Sporting License or Subscription to DEC's Conservationist Magazine

Are you looking for gift ideas this holiday season? DEC's lifetime sporting licenses make a great gift for outdoors enthusiasts. In addition, for a limited time DEC is offering a one-year subscription to its award-winning Conservationist magazine at half price.

Lifetime Licenses are available to New York State residents who have resided in New York for at least one year prior to purchase (proof of residency required). Lifetime licenses may be purchased at any license-issuing agent, by phone (866-933-2257), or online with a current NYS DMV driver or non-driver ID containing a valid New York State address. Allow 14 days for delivery of Lifetime Licenses purchased online or by phone.

Lifetime Licenses may be purchased as gifts for residents under the age of 16 with the recipient's proof of age (birth certificate, passport) and proof of residency (parent/legal guardian proof of residency). Gift lifetime licenses must be purchased in person at any license issuing agent. Lifetime fishing, trapping, or hunting licenses and privileges allow the licensed hunter to enjoy all the privileges of equivalent annual license items, but are valid for a lifetime (with appropriate hunter/trapper education requirements) - even if the holder moves out of state.

• Lifetime License (includes hunting, freshwater fishing, and turkey hunting privileges)
  • For a person age 0-4 years $380
  • For a person age 5-11 years $535
  • For a person age 12-69 years $765
  • For a person age 70 years and older $65
• Lifetime Fishing License (freshwater fishing)
  • For a person age 0-69 years $460
  • For a person age 70 years and older $65
• Lifetime Hunting License $535
• Lifetime Bowhunting Privilege $235
• Lifetime Muzzleloading Privilege $235
• Lifetime Trapping License $395

Published six times a year, Conservationist is a New York State-focused magazine packed with informative and entertaining articles, first-rate photography, and stunning artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural history related topics, including fishing, hiking, recreation, travel, hunting, and nature studies. From Nov. 23, 2020, to Jan. 4, 2021, a year-long subscription to the Conservationist is on sale for just $6, half the usual subscription price. As a bonus, subscribers receive an additional issue for a total of seven issues.

To order a Conservationist subscription online, visit DEC's website and click on the Conservationist icon or call 1-800-678-6399.

DEC Annual Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster Contest; Deadline 12/31

DEC recently announced the start of the annual Arbor Day Original Artwork poster contest. Each year, DEC's Urban and Community Forestry Program commemorates Arbor Day with a contest that invites the public to submit original photos and artwork that celebrate the immeasurable value of trees. The winning artist's artwork will be replicated as the 2021 New York State Original Artwork Arbor Day Poster.

DEC is accepting photograph and artwork submissions through December 31, 2020. Photos and artwork must feature trees within New York State. Participants will be limited to five submissions, and each submission should include a completed artist information form. More information, including how to submit an entry and necessary forms, is available on our website.

Photo: The 2020 Arbor Day poster winning image, taken by Paul Bergwall

DEC Announces New "Why I Hunt" and "Why I Trap" Photo Essay Contest

DEC announced a new statewide photo and essay contest for hunters and trappers to share stories about why they hunt or trap in New York State. Photos and essays submitted will be used to support DEC's ongoing efforts to introduce more New Yorkers to hunting and trapping.

Participating hunters and trappers may submit photos and essays in one of the following categories:

• Youth (under 17, non-first year)
• First-year hunters (youth)
• First-year hunters (adult)
• Adults (non first-year)

Each contestant may submit up to two photos with their essay entry. DEC staff will select the best photo/essay in each category. Winners' essays and photos will appear in the 2021-2022 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which is read by more than half a million people each year.

See DEC's news release for contest specifications. The deadline for contest entries is Jan. 31, 2021. Enter the contest now!

Visit DEC's website for helpful guidelines on how to take photographs that best capture the reasons why you hunt or trap.

For more information about the "Why I Hunt" and "Why I Trap" contest, call (518) 402-8963, email hunter@dec.ny.gov, or write to: Hunter Education Program, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Environmental Conservation Police Officer Highlights

DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 2019, the 288 ECOs across the state responded to 25,704 calls and worked on cases that resulted in 16,855 tickets or arrests for crimes ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. Below is an example of the work our officers conduct in your region.

A Deer at the Ballpark - Monroe County

On Nov. 8, the City of Rochester Police Department contacted ECO Muchow to assist with a deer trapped in a gate at Frontier Field, home of the Rochester Red Wings baseball team. Rochester officers tried to push the deer through the gate but were unsuccessful. ECO Muchow asked an employee of Frontier Field for tools to try to bend the bars to free the deer. The employee came through with two chain hoists that worked perfectly to make a little more room for ECO Muchow to lift the deer and pushed her through. The deer ran away and did not appear to be injured.