Chairman William Wise began the meeting at 2:00 p.m.  He stated that approval of the draft minutes of the Council’s 25 November 2004’s meeting will be deferred until later, when a quorum of councilors has been attained.

Gordon Colvin, Director of Marine Resources for DEC, asked for recommendations for New York members to be appointed to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC).  Two seats currently held by New Yorkers will come open in August 2005.  Pat Augustine of the New York Sport Fishing Federation currently holds one seat, which is a New York obligatory seat (you must be a New York resident to hold this seat.)  Mr. Colvin suggested that Mr. Augustine might seek reappointment.   Mr. Charles Witek of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) currently holds the second seat, which is an “at large seat” and need not be filled by a New Yorker.  Mr. Witek will most likely not seek re-appointment.  The Governor must submit at least three qualified candidates for nomination no later than March 5th.  Mr. Colvin asked that persons interested in seeking a seat on the MAFMC or suggesting someone else for a seat submit a resume to him.  He explained that the minimum time commitment for these seats is attendance at MAFMC meetings, which run for 3-4 days, 7 times a year.  Members are compensated both for their time and travel expenses, but are frequently called on to do things other than attend Council meetings, such as to attend public hearings on fishery issues that MAFMC is interested in or to attend meetings of the New England and/or South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils or their committees. 

Mr. Colvin informed the Council that Governor Pataki had recently announced that DEC Commissioner Erin Crotty would be stepping down the first week in February 2005 for personal reasons.  Deputy Commissioner Lynette Stark will serve as Acting Commissioner until a new Commissioner has been nominated and confirmed by the State Senate.

The Governor has submitted the FY 05/06 Executive Budget to State Legislature.  Mr. Colvin has not yet received the analysis of the Budget from the Department’s fiscal staff.  Once he does, he will share it with the Council.  Preliminary information indicates that the new budget provides level funding to DEC’s marine programs.

 

Page last modified Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by George E. Carroll