We are asking that you please send this information to as many facebook, friends and other contacts that you may have. THE MUTE SWANS NEED YOUR URGENT HELP!

We received this information regarding the DEC of New York wanting to kill the Mute swans. New York is planning on totally eradicating all Mute Swans by 2025. Just like many other states, they are trying to sell hunting licenses to make money in this killing to "help the habitat and attract native species, primarily the Trumpter Swans. The reasoning is that they will have to utilize outside individuals to help with the culling, so they will make money in the meantime by selling the hunting licenses. In 10 years, when there are no more Mute Swans, the Trumpeter Swans will be in such great numbers that a new permit will be sold for the taking of the Trumpeter Swans as a "Trophy Waterfowl" since it is the largest of the waterfowl and swan species. THIS IS BEING CONDUCTED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TAXPAYER.

We are asking everyone to write the New York DEC, sign a petition on change.org or other similar social media website, write congressmen and senators to try and stop this unnecessary killing for the eventual profit of the state's wildlife hunting programs. This is not only occurring in New York, but also Michigan, Maryland and Arkansas. Eventually, if it continues the Mute Swan population will be eradicated from North America for no other reason than a financial means to kill one species to assist another species to overpopulate and eventually be killed.

You can also sign a petition:

http://www.idausa.org/stop-senseless-killing-mute-swans-around-jfk-airport-ny/

What You Can Do:
Please comment on the Supplement Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to oppose the planned killing of Mute Swans for alleged aircraft safety at JFK airport in New York by following these steps:
1. Click here to submit your comment:
2. Copy and paste the suggested comment below into the web form – please personalize your comment if possible (5000 characters max).
3. Enter your name and contact information, and click on “continue.”
4. Preview and check the box which says “I read and understand the statement above”
5. Click on “Send your comment.”

OR CONTACT:

DEC Contact: Lori Severino, 518-402-8000

January 16, 2014

DEC Releases Two Draft Species Management Plans

Plans Will Guide Management of Black Bears and Mute Swans for the Next Ten Years

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released draft species management plans for black bears and mute swans, and will be accepting public comments on these management plans through January 31, 2014.

“Wildlife management can present challenges in trying to balance populations, hunting opportunities and environmental impacts,” Commissioner Martens said. “These plans will guide the management of these species for the next 10 years, and we encourage people to review and submit comments on the draft plans.”

These management plans also reflect Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative, an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. This initiative includes the streamlining of hunting and fishing licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various sites across the state, and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions.

Black Bears

The draft Black Bear Management Plan for New York State, 2014-2024 is available on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7215.html. Black bears are a very popular wildlife species among the general public, but can pose significant challenges when the bears become too abundant or are acting boldly in populated areas.

DEC’s draft plan describes five primary goals that reflect the current priorities of bear managers and desires expressed by the public:
• maintain bear populations at levels acceptable to the public;
• promote and enhance bear hunting as an important management tool;
• minimize the frequency and severity of human-bear conflicts;
• foster understanding and communication about bear ecology, management, and conflict avoidance; and
• ensure the necessary resources are available to support effective management of black bears in New York.

The plan also describes the current and desired future status of bear populations in various geographic regions of New York.

Many of the strategies identified in the plan are already occurring; others reflect new work to be more fully developed during the next 10 years. The plan includes proposals to expand bear hunting opportunities in many wildlife management units, especially in the Catskills and western Hudson Valley where in recent years human-bear conflicts have become more common and pose a serious threat to human safety and property.

Comments on the draft bear plan may be submitted in writing through January 31, 2014 to: NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Bear Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by e-mail to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type “Bear Plan” in the subject line).

Mute Swans

The draft Management Plan for Mute Swans in New York State is available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7076.html. The mute swan is a non-native, invasive species brought to North America from Eurasia for ornamental purposes in the late 1800s.

Mute swans are most numerous on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley, but have expanded their range in recent years, especially around Lake Ontario. Mute swans can cause a variety of problems, including exhibiting aggressive behavior towards people, destruction of submerged aquatic vegetation, displacement of native wildlife species, degradation of water quality and potential hazards to aviation.

This draft management plan supports actions by DEC to eliminate free-ranging mute swans from New York by 2025, while allowing responsible ownership of these birds in captivity. DEC recently proposed listing mute swan as a “prohibited species” under new Invasive Species regulations, which would prohibit the sale, importation, transport, or introduction of this species in New York.

Comments on the draft mute swan plan may be submitted in writing through January 31, 2014 to: NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Swan Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by e-mail to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type “Swan Plan” in the subject line).