DEC Contact: Jomo Miller (518) 402-8000 December 18, 2019
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DEC ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER HIGHLIGHTSRecent ECO Actions for December |
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. Bass Poachers Plead Guilty – Ulster County On Dec. 3, three Brooklyn men pled guilty in the Town of Hurley Court to charges including the taking of black bass out of season and illegal commercialization of protected wildlife. On April 26, ECOs Jason Smith and Lucas Palmateer charged the men at the Ashokan Reservoir after finding them with 35 Smallmouth Bass affixed to a stringer and hidden on the shoreline. Two of the defendants’ vehicles were fitted with “live tanks” to transport the fish, with one vehicle registered to a retail fish market in New York City. All three men were also charged with failing to wear personal flotation devices and trespassing; one of the individuals was charged with fishing without a license. The men paid $2,425 in total fines and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection revoked access passes and boat permits for all three individuals. ECO Palmateer conducting surveillance on the Ashokan Reservoir (photo attahced) Stringer of smallmouth bass (photo attached)
On Dec. 14, ECOs Ronald Gross and Joshua Crain responded to Letchworth State Park in Wyoming County to rescue an injured Bald Eagle from the edge of the gorge. The ECOs were aided by a New York State Parks Police Officer. The eagle was transported to Cornell University Wildlife Health Services, where it was diagnosed with a broken wing. The eagle is receiving treatment and expected to be rehabilitated and released in approximately three months. Injured Bald Eagle (photo attached) |
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