HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2024-137 Authorize DDP Application for Deer Management Program for 2025 - 12-09-2024MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
December9, 2024
TB Resolution 2024 - 137: Authorization to Submit a Deer Damage Permit Application to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for 2025
Whereas, in May 2017, the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board presented a report (titled “Deer Management: Recommended Actions for the Town of Ithaca”) to the Ithaca Town Board regarding
the overabundance of White-tailed deer in the Town of Ithaca; and
Whereas, this report outlined the history and justification of deer management (health and human safety, ecological, agricultural losses, car-deer collisions, NYSDEC Deer Management
Focus Area), provided a review of local deer management programs in Tompkins County (Village of Trumansburg, Cornell University, Village of Cayuga Heights, Village of Lansing), and provided
recommendations for a potential Town of Ithaca deer management program (form sub-committee, utilize NYSDEC Deer Damage Permits for a Town program, measure impacts of deer to asses effectiveness
of program, coordinate efforts with adjacent municipalities and Cornell University, etc.); and
Whereas, in September 2017 the Ithaca Town Board established a Deer Management Committee which met several times in spring and summer 2018 and held a public meeting in May 2018 seeking
feedback on the report and the potential of starting a deer management program, with the feedback received being very positive; and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, the establishment of this Deer Management Program
and submission of annual Deer Damage Permit applications is an Unlisted Action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board, acting as lead agency in an uncoordinated environmental review
with respect to these actions, has, on February11, 2019 , made a negative environmental determination of significance, after having reviewed and accepted as adequate a Short Environmental
Assessment Form Parts 1, 2 and 3; and
Whereas, the Town has previously applied for and received Deer Damage Permits from NYSDEC (2019 – 3 locations and harvested 1 deer; 2020 – 6 locations and harvested 20 deer; 2021 – 9
locations and harvested 42 deer; 2022 – 9 locations and harvested 40 deer; 2023 - 9 locations and harvested 17 deer; 2024 – 8 locations and harvested 10 deer); now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Supervisor is authorized to sign a new Deer Damage Permit application with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for activities in 2025, including any associated
future documents,forms, or reports.
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Rob Rosen
Vote:Ayes – Levine, Rosen, Howe, Bleiwas, Johnson and Gutenberger
Nays – DePaolo