In this week's episode of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport, your humble host reports that the Southtowns Walleye Derby is now in full swing, and just in time, Sturgeon Point Marina has opened up for boat launching a day early, June 8, and in time for the SWA derby! Gas dock will be operational once help can be hired, but the slips are still in limbo. Conditions at Barcelona Harbor is also discussed, as the main channel remains impassable and in need of dredging.
The quest for counties to pass local laws capitalizing on the youth deer hunting pilot program continues, as 28 counties across NYS have now passed ordinances to allow 12 and 13 year olds to hunt deer under supervision with a firearm. Erie County will not have their public hearing until July, but it is expected the measure will pass. The work continues. The DEC has also released their final draft of the 10 year deer management plan, and a summary of changes is discussed, with details on this plan to be vetted in the coming episodes. Comment period ends August 8, 2021, send comments to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov, use Big Game Hunting Regs in the subject line.
A frac out in Cassadaga has led to some questions concerning Article 10 and environmental protection authority on wind and solar projects. It would appear for Article 10 projects the lead agency is DPS, not DEC for environmental rules and such. A learning curve is in play with DEC hence the quiet nature of that department's response to the frac out. NYSERDA continues their dog and pony show on Great Lakes Wind, and they are pretending that the feasibility study that happened in 2010, by NYSERDA for NYPA's GLOW project, never happened! Go figure!
Finally, Rich provides a summary of legislative activity, now that the "silly season" known as end of legislative session in Albany has ended (June 10). Although the moratorium bills have not passed, they haven't been voted on, either, which gives folks 6 months to garner support and get this done in the next legislative session, which will start January 2022. And remember dear old day this coming weekend, as it is Father's Day, with opening day of statewide bass and Great Lakes musky openers on June 19. Of course, small boat harbor will be closed due to the air show, but at least Sturgeon Point is open, and foot of Sheridan Drive boat launch no longer charging a launch fee.
