What does the money that we pay .......

[fasteddie]

What does the money that we pay in license fees pay for ? Also what do they spend the money from the Pittman - Robertson Tax on ?

Is the money thay we pay out go to biking and hiking trails also ?

[WNYBuckHunter]

It goes toward everything the DEC does, not just biking trails or hunting land. Try to imagine what the legal fees alone are for the DEC to take businesses to court over different things each year. Office costs and supplies, salaries, vehicles, etc etc etc.

[Doc]

I have never seen an accounting of what money is earmarked for what. I am assuming that license fees are only part of the operating budget for the entire DEC and I would assume that there are other funds that come directly from the state treasury. Where it all comes from and what decides how it is all budgeted is kind of a mystery. So most likely there are creative budgeting procedures that can make the money be used for whatever the DEC or the Governor wants it to be used for. We know there is some way that Paterson sends an edict to the DEC to cut staff and other resources and thereby gets money for state budgetary purposes, so it does seem like no matter what the intent for certain funds is, it all winds up treated like one giant slush fund and in one way or another finds itself available to the Governor. Wouldn't it be nice to see a pie chart that showed where money comes from and another one that shows where the money goes. I have a feeling that what we think certain funds are earmarked for is not exactly what it winds up being used for at all including federal Pittman-Robertson money. But I have never seen any public accounting for that.

Doc

[WNYBuckHunter]

Heres a little info that I found, it is wikipedia, but it looks pretty accurate. Not exactly a nice, pretty pie chart though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Department_of_Environmental_Conservation

[fasteddie]

Thanks for the information . I was under the impression that money to the DEC paid for bicycle and hiking trails . A couple of friends that almost live on their bikes made a remark about hunting and I said , "if it wasn't for hunters , you folks wouldn't have your bike trails" ! The husband didn't agree .

[WNYBuckHunter]

I ride my bike a lot and the DEC doesn't maintain the trails as much as some think. Many are mintained by private organizations under DEC regulation. A prime example is the Genesee Valley Greenway. Ill post more info on that when I can.

[Doc]

That was an interesting article. While they didn't specifically ID what percentage of the budget goes to fish and wildlife or other sportsmen related concerns, they did kind of illustrate just how varied the duties of the DEC are and how our concerns as hunters, fishermen and trappers are just a tiny part of the total scope of the department. So it looks like our money is not earmarked for any specific activities, and could even be used for that Belleayre Ski Center, or the administration of the Bottle Bill, or campgrounds or any number of other things they are responsible for. That info kind of puts things in a bit of perpesctive in terms of just where we stand and how influencial we are ...... or NOT. It looks possible that even the Pittman-Robertson money could easily get stirred in with Love Canal type investigations, mining permits, or any number of non-wildlife affiliated action items. I don't know about bike trails, but that write-up sure does show exactly how much stuff our license and permit money could be used on besides those items directly related to hunting, fishing and trapping. It looks like that whole monsterous bureacracy that exists for the entire population of NYS is supported primarily by sportsmen (at least to the tune of 58% of the total resources). That's quite a financial burden to put on such a tiny minority. And then too, remember that we also shoulder the same tax burden for the other 42% that non-sportsmen contribute.

It was interesting reading.

Doc

[raymerlo]

Go to the DEC web site and open the link to the CFAB,Conservation Fund Advisory Board,they are the group that oversees the expenditure of your license dollars and Pittman/Robinson moneys that come in from the voluntary tax on guns and ammo and other related purchases,there are also moneys that come in from fishing and boating related items,remember they are all volunteers that serve on that board and are dedicated

[Geno C]

i thought some of that money went to the actual state and they would do what they wanted with it!

i thought a small percentage went  to the DEC. price jacks on the license did not go up to budget the DEC? it went up to boost an income for the state as a awhole no??

[raymerlo]

License dollars including the increase go to a dedicated fund,called the conservation fund also the new marine license is in a dedicated fund

for the marine district which was being paid out of the conservation

fund in the short period of time that it has been in effect it took in over

$2 million dollars,you would be amazed as to what is in the conservation

fund and the dept of budget will not release the funds,because of politcal reasons

[Mr VJP]

Your license money goes to this dept of the DEC.

Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources: Oversees  hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, and monitors the quality of  those resources. Manages state wildlife management areas. Oversees  freshwater and tidal wetlands programs.

It is part of the entire DEC, but the money paid for our licenses and fines is what they budget for this specific department of the DEC.  I'm told, often they need more than they get in their budget and have to ask for more funds from the DEC.  But most often those requests are denied, especially since the economy has taken a dump in the last few years.

[Doc]

It sounds as though everybody has heard a different story on how fish & game management is funded, and where our license fees and fine revenues actually go. It is interesting how something that should be super-public is so hard to find proveable, credible information on.

Doc

[raymerlo]

we do get general fund money to supplement the conservation fund,so when you look at the over all picture we pay twice,once when you buy your license's and when you pay your taxes,income and sales,on top of the excise tax on guns and ammo,other types of sporting equipment