With the weather finally warming up, many sportsmen are anxious to get out on our state’s many waterways to fish. However, due to budget cutbacks at the Department of Conservation (DEC), fishermen may find that the fish population is not has abundant as they expected.

The DEC, like many other state agencies, has had to make cutbacks in recent years due to the state’s ongoing fiscal problems. For example, here in the North Country, the Cape Vincent walleye ponds remain uninhabited because the DEC is unable to fund staff to rehab and supervise the ponds. However, the Conservation Fund, which sportsmen pay into by purchasing hunting and fishing licenses, has a $21 million surplus, thanks in part to the state’s raising freshwater fishing licenses from $19 to $29 in 2009.

I’ve had many calls to my office recently regarding this issue. Constituents are wondering why they are paying higher licensing fees while the DEC refuses to invest the money in necessary projects. While I do believe that saving for future emergencies is essential - I also believe that investing money into tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities can have a significant return on investment and result in growing the Conservation Fund - and our economy - even more.

According to a study done by the New York Sea Grant Institute, the overall economic contribution of the sport fishing, commercial fishing, and seafood industries to New York State is estimated at $11.5 billion. The three fishing industries alone generate approximately $5.7 billion, and this activity in turn creates an economic impact on sales of goods and services by New York businesses worth $5.9 billion.

In addition to investing the Conservation Fund in useful projects, sportsmen also are concerned about the elimination of $10 saltwater fishing licenses. There is no reason that upstate sportsmen should have to bear the burden of paying for staffing and maintenance of saltwater fisheries, while marine fishermen get a free pass. This is just one more example of upstate taking a disproportionate hit when it comes to the state budget. I plan to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to reinstate the marine saltwater fishing license in next year’s budget.

Finally, constituents have contacted me expressing their concerns over rumors that the Conservation Fund could be swept into the General Fund. I can assure you that if this rumor ever becomes truth, I will fight for my constituents and upstate sportsmen to ensure that your money remains in the dedicated fund.

Outdoor recreation is vital to our upstate rural economy. I remain committed to doing all I can to enhance the fishing industry here in New York state and helping to continue to grow our economy.