1For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Maureen Wren Friday, October 26, 2007 (518) 402-8000

2DEC ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO HELP IMPROVE HABITAT, EXPAND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Projects to be Funded by DEC’s Habitat Access Stamp Program

More than $100,000 will be given to local projects across New York State to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as increase public access for outdoor recreation as part of a grant announcement made today by Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis. Funding for the grants is generated from the sale of DEC’s Habitat Access Stamps.

“These projects will provide innovative ways for New Yorkers to enjoy our diverse and beautiful natural world and enhance the ongoing protection of our fish, wildlife, and habitat,” Commissioner Grannis said. “I encourage everyone who loves the outdoors to support the Habitat Stamp program so that we can continue funding projects like those announced today.”

A total of $108,673 will be awarded to fund 10 fish and wildlife habitat management and access improvement initiatives through New York State. Applications were submitted by municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for small scale projects that would benefit the management of and access to fish and wildlife resources in New York. The awardees were selected from among 41 proposals received by DEC.

The state’s Habitat and Access Stamp is sold by license sales agents throughout New York. Proceeds from the sale of habitat stamps are deposited into a special “Habitat Account” within the Conservation Fund and are used specifically for projects like those announced today. A Habitat/Access Stamp is not required to hunt, fish or trap, nor is it necessary to purchase a sporting license in order to buy a habitat stamp. The Habitat Stamp costs $5 and included in the purchase is a complimentary lapel pin with the 2006-07 season design of a wild turkey.

For more information about the Habitat Stamp and the programs it helps fund, go to http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/license/habstamp.html http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/3 29.html .

- MORE - - 2 - 3 Habitat/Access Stamp Proposals Selected for 2006-07

Location Applicant Grant Project Description Amount New York City NYC Audubon $10,700 To provide students and teachers access to New York Harbor’s waterways to observe a wide variety of urban wildlife and their habitats Ulster The Catskill $7,600 Develop and implement a habitat County Center for management plan designed to maximize Conservation and grassland habitat on two parcels of land Development Dutchess Town of $7,873 Improved fishing access to Fishkill Creek County Beekman consisting of a 20-foot-wide gravel access pathway for vehicle use, an eight-vehicle parking area, and signage Greene County Greene County $10,000 Restoration of 2,000 feet of 10 Mile Creek Soil and Water channel using fluvial geomorphic Conservation principles and restoration techniques District Warren County Warren County $8,500 Remove an existing dam and stabilize the Soil and Water banks of North Creek, improve in-stream Conservation habitat for invertebrate and vertebrate District organisms, plant native trees and shrubs along stream bank Franklin County Franklin County $14,000 Provide fishing access to the Salmon River through construction of a four-car parking area, ADA-compliant fishing ramp and connecting walkway, and control Japanese knotweed Jefferson NYS DEC Region $15,000 Construct a 100-foot-by-100-foot fishing County 6 Fisheries access parking area and a 10-foot-by- 1,478-foot-long footpath Lewis County Lewis County $15,000 Restore riparian habitat along 2,800 feet of Soil and Water Deer River with riparian planting, and Conservation install “j” hook vanes to create riffle/pools District Schuyler and National Wild $5,000 Restore 500 acres of grassland habitat Seneca Counties Turkey Federation through mowing with a tractor-pulled rotary mower in summer of 2007 Oswego County Village of Pulaski $15,000 Salmon River Greenway Trail to provide an ADA- compliant streamside fishing platform for fishing access within Forest Glen Park Total $108,673.25

###

07-231