This legislation, if signed by the governor, has the potential to negatively affect hunting, fishing, shellfish harvest, and wildlife watching opportunities and impact native wildlife and wetland habitats. Furthermore, it is a blow in the face to sound management of natural resources; which was driven by a minority of people with a special interest agenda. If Governor Cuomo allows this to pass into law by signing these bills, it will set a dangerous precedent and encourage more and more politics to drive policies regarding conservation and/or hunting instead of allowing the DEC to make science-based decisions.
Dear Governor Cuomo,
We are asking you to veto S-065889-A and A-08790-A and authorize the DEC to manage New York State's free-ranging mute swan population and prevent captive mute swans from establishing additional free-ranging populations. It is wise to allow the DEC to manage invasive species and all wildlife in an ecologically sound manner, including complete extirpation of mute swans from New York.
Please consider the following:
- DEC prepared a plan containing strategies consistent with research findings and the practices of other wildlife agencies.
- DEC provided citations of that research in its draft management plan.
- Opposition to the plan and the underlining premise of S-065889-A and A-08790-A are that the DEC does not have sufficient scientific basis to justify its mute swan management plan.
- Allowing isolated local populations of free-ranging mute swans will create source habitats that will facilitate the spread of mute swans across the state and into other states.
- Mute swans reduce biodiversity, thereby reducing opportunities for both nature enthusiasts and sportsmen and women.
- Mute swans impact native migratory birds that are important to people in other US states, Canada, Central America, and South America.
- The DEC should not divert funds and resources from imperiled native species or compromise them to protect a deleterious exotic species.
We, the undersigned, ask you, Governor Cuomo, to VETO S-065889-A and A-08790-A.
