Syracuse.com - DEC commissioner Martens: We will 'likely amend" mute swan plan

[HuntingNY-News]

"It's not like we're going to give up and go away," Martens said.

The state Department of Conservation "will likely amend" its proposed, 10-year mute swan management plan in response to the negative reaction it has received, said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens on Wednesday.

The DEC's initial draft management plan called for the complete elimination of wild mute swans in this state within 10 years. Methods to be used included shooting them, sterilizing them and destroying their eggs. The plan did allow though, for permits to be issued to municipalities and other public entities, in addition to private individuals, provided the swans not be released into the wild.

The public comment period for that plan ended Feb. 21. DEC officials said they received 1,500 individual comments, more than 16,000 form letter emails and 25,000 signatures on various petitions opposing the plan. Read a local guest columnist who is against it.

"This has gotten a lot of attention," said Martens, appearing Wednesday before the Syracuse Media Group Editorial Board. He said he's directed his staff to compile a summary of the comments and proposals to address the issues raised.

"It's not like we're going to give up and go away," Martens said. Mute swans, despite being "pretty," are an invasive species with documented negative impacts on the environment. Marten said DEC staff have has identified the birds negative impacts. He said the plan that's received the criticism is the DEC's "first cut" at dealing with the problem. Read the entire plan.

The DEC estimates the state's mute swan population at 2,200, with three distinct populations on Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and along Lake Ontario. They were brought to this country from Europe in the 1800s. Mute swans are the same swans made famous by Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Ugly Duckling." They also the birds enjoyed by many on the village pond in Manlius.

Mute swans have white plumage, an orange bill, a black face mask and a graceful curving neck. Native tundra and trumpeter swans, which are smaller, have black bills and straight necks.

Wildlife biologists say mute swans cause a variety of problems, including aggressive behavior toward people and other birds, destruction of aquatic vegetation, degradation of water quality, displacement of native wildlife species and potential hazards to aviation. Other states, including Maryland, Michigan, Connecticut and Rhode Island have population control programs to keep the bird's numbers down. Local Audubon officials have supported the DEC's plan.

But culling programs have drawn criticism from humane organizations. GooseWatch NYC posted an online petition opposing New York's mute swan reduction plan and criticizing the DEC for proposing it.

The DEC's proposal called for "completely eliminating them by and large from New York. Whether we amended that, or how we go about it will come under serious review," Martens said.

Martens stressed the DEC's plan as initially written was a long-term plan, and called for "nothing radical or dramatic in the short-term." He said the final decision on what to do with the birds will likely be his.

"It probably does end up on my lap one way or the other," he said.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog