HomeMy WebLinkAboutIthaca Town Board Resolution for 2022 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
TB Resolution 2021-163a: Authorization to Submit a Deer Damage Permit Application to the
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for 2022
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 February 11, 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 applied for and received a Deer Damage Permit from NYSDEC in February
2019 and conducted the program at three locations,resulting in the harvesting of one deer; and
Whereas,the Town applied for and received a Deer Damage Permit from NYSDEC in January 2020
and conducted the program at six locations,resulting in the harvesting of 20 deer; and
Whereas,the Town applied for and received a Deer Damage Permit from NYSDEC in January 2021
and conducted the program at nine locations,resulting in the harvesting of 42 deer;
Now, therefore,be it
Resolved, that the Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca,is hereby authorized and directed to file a new
Deer Damage Permit application with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for activities
in 2022, including any associated future documents, forms, or reports.
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Bill Goodman
Vote: Ayes—Bleiwas, Goodman, Howe, Leary, Hunter, Levine. Nays -DePaolo