Chairman Wise introduced Ms. Karen Chytalo, the interim Director of Marine Resources for the Department of Environmental Conservation while the search is taking place for a permanent replacement to Mr. Gordon Colvin.  Ms. Chytalo informed the Council that Mr. Gerry Barnhart, the current Director of DEC's Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources is also planning to retire from the agency in August, so there are many changes taking place in the leadership of the Department's marine resources programs.  The Department hopes to fill Mr. Barnhart's position, and fill the permanent job of Director of Marine Resources by 10 August 2007.  Ms. Chytalo stated one of the main goals for the new DEC Commissioner, Mr. Alex (Pete) Grannis, is to improve the coordination between the agency's central offices in Albany and its several regional offices, along with improved communication and coordination between the many programs within DEC.

Chairman Wise stated that he would write a letter to Mr. Barnhart, expressing the Council's appreciation for his support of DEC's marine program while serving as Director of the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources.

Ms. Chytalo briefed the Council on the fate of the marine resource bills that had been previously reviewed and commented upon by the Council.  Most of the individual bills that were introduced to implement the provisions of the DEC program bill that extended DEC's existing regulatory authority over marine species, have been passed by the Legislature and sent to Governor Spitzer or have already been signed by him.  The same applies to those bills that implemented the recommendations of the Council and DEC relating to renewing and, in some cases, revising the eligibility criteria for commercial fishing licenses and adding a cap on the numbers of "for hire" vessel operators licenses issued for the Marine District.. 

The Governor has received a bill passed by the Legislature since the last meeting of the Council.  This bill increases penalties levied against those who are convicted of an illegal shellfishing activity more than once.  Note:  this legislation was subsequently signed into law.

 

Page last modified Tuesday, September 18, 2007 by George E. Carroll