HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of Completion of Final EIS (2).PDFNIOTICE OF GOMPLETION OF FINAL EIS
F,URSUANT TO THE
NIY STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT (SEORA)
EIEC Region 7; County: Tompkins
lt4arch 14,2011
T'his notice has been prepared in accordance with Article 8 (State Environmental Quality Review
Frct) of the Environnrental Conservation Law and is issued pursuant to Part 617 of the
rregulations implementing such Article 8.
Fr Final Environmental lmpact Statement (FEIS) has been completed and accepted by the
\/illage of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees, as Lead Agency, for the proposed action
dlescribed below.
Name of Action: Deer Management Plan
Description of Action: The Village of Cayuga Heights proposes to engage in deer population
c;ontrol by sterilizing approximately 20 to 60 does, followed by culling of deer living within the
1.84 square mile Village boundary. After these actions the Village will implement a program of
ongoing maintenan,ce of the herd size. This action is designed to reduce the size of the herd in
the first three years, and then provide stability in the herd size thereafter, bringing the herd
c;ount closer to leverls achieved in the wild. The long term target is a herd size of 20 to 60 deer
total in the Village, \y'ersus the estimate of +200 as of Spring of 2009. Where possible, all healthy
cleer venison culled will be donated to local food banks.
SiEQR Glassification: Unlisted Action
l-ocation: The Village of Cayuga Heights, Tompkins County, New York.
l-ead Agency: Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees
83t5 Hanshaw Road
Iths6s, New York 14850
/\ Gopy of the Final EIS may be viewed at: Village Offices, and via the Village website at
\ivww. cayug a-hei g hts. ny. us.
Oontact Person: Ms. Kate Supron, Mayor
Village Offices
836 Hanshaw Road
Ithaca, New York 14850
(607) 257-1238
Comments and ResPonses
March 14.2011
Comment 60-1 (Guy Tabacchi. 1216/10, See also Page 16 of Public Hearing
Transcript 1216/10): lf a deer is wounded that animal can become a dangerto drivers
since the animal will in all probability run away very frightened.
Responste 60-1: Culling sites would be selected with public safety in mind. ln
almost alil instances, culled deer drop immediately and rarely move beyond the
culling sile.
Comment 60-2 (Guy Tabacchi. 1216/10. See also Pages 17 of Public Hearing
Transcript 1216/10): How long a time frame is the board of trustees allowed to commit
public funds? Are they allowed to commit future administrations to this expense and tax
burden?
Respons;e 60-2: Trustees prepare and vote on an annual budget.
Comment 62-1 (Mary Tabacchi, 1216/10, See also Page 14 of Public Hearing
Transcript 12l(i/10): The deer remediation plan will restrict my activities such as
walking, biking, iogging or cross country skiing in ihe Village and nearby locations.
Responsie 62-1: Restriction on activities as noted above is likely to be extremely
limited and for very short durations.
Comment 62-2 (Mary Tabacchi. 1216/10. See also Page 14 of Public Hearing
Transcript 12l6i/10): I believe we could resolve our deer/car issues by placing speed
bumps in Cayuga Heights - just as did the residents of Forest Home.
Respons;e 62-2: Speed bumps are expensive to install and difficult to maintain in
winter months. The Trustees do not see speed bumps as a solution to the
overpopulation of deer in the Village.
egmnen!_€3:l (Gharlene Temple. MSW. LCSW, 12l15/10): In my professional
opinion, psychological trauma will be a likely occurreff-rce for a number of people in this
community if the deer killing plan put forlh in the DEIS is implemented. Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, or
Anxiety or Dysthymia are some of the conditions that may be caused or worsened as a
direct result of the carrying out of a mass deer killing program in Cayuga Heights
neighborhoods. Some of those likely to be affected are those who enjoy the individual
deer that habitually visit their yards, those who have watched does raise their fawns, or
observed the relationships between herd mates over time, and those who have
developed a sense of personal connection with one or more of these animals. Such
individuals will almost certainly experience deep sadness, possibly even devastation,
when the deer tlrey have come to appreciate are systematically killed.
Cayuga Heights Deer Management Plan FEIS
2-76