Syracuse.com - Revised DEC mute swan plan may include regional differences, use of 'non-lethal' methods

[HuntingNY-News]

The comment plan on the initial plan has been extended another month.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation today firmed up, and added a few more specifics to comments made earlier this week by DEC Commissioner Joe Martens about his agency's controversial 10-year management plan for wild mute swans in New York.

Martens, speaking Tuesday before the Syracuse Media Group Editorial Board, noted there has been a strong public reaction to the plan that proposed getting rid of all wild mute swans in the state by 2025. He said the DEC would "likely amend" the plan as a result.

The DEC's initial draft management plan said the methods used would include shooting, sterilizing and destroying the eggs of the birds. 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.

Today's announcement by the DEC noted the plan would be revised and that an additional 30-day public comment period would follow. "DEC likely will acknowledge regional differences in status, potential impacts and desired population goals by setting varying goals for different regions of the state," a press release said.

In addition, DEC will consider "non-lethal means" to achieve the management plan's intended goals.

The DEC's initial draft management plan said the methods used would include shooting, sterilizing and destroying the eggs of the birds. 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 initial public comment period closed Feb. 21. DEC received more than 1,500 comments on the plan from individuals and organizations as well as more than 16,000 form letters and 30,000 signatures on various petitions.

Wildlife biologists say mute swans, an invasive species, 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.

In addition to a revised draft plan, DEC staff will prepare a summary of the comments received and provide a response to the many questions, concerns and ideas expressed about the initial plan, Martens said today.

"We appreciate the strong response that the draft plan received, and it's clear that New Yorkers recognize the importance of a comprehensive mute swan management plan that balances the interests of a diversity of stakeholders," he said. "The revised plan will seek to balance the conflicting views about management of mute swans in New York."

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog