Bethel to receive Environmental Protection Fund grant

ALBANY, NY — The Town of Bethel has been selected to receive one of two Environmental Protection Fund grants given to towns in the 98th Congressional District of Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther (D, C – Forestburgh). Bethel’s grant is for the creation of a playground and fencing in the town park. “Creating more and better access to the surrounding environment is something communities are striving to achieve and it improves the quality of life for everyone,” said Gunther.

The EPF grants are designed to provide overall assistance with important preservation projects that increase access to public land, enhance communities and promote tourism.

Catskill Mountainkeeper files

NIETC rehearing petition

YOUNGSVILLE, NY — Catskill Mountainkeeper has joined several other environmental advocacy organizations and state officials in filing a rehearing petition contesting the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) designation of two National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs).

One principal argument stressed in the filing is that the “DOE did not effectively communicate with states in determining the corridors.” Another point made is that the DOE has not yet completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the corridor designations.

“The Department of Energy, in its ruling regarding New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI), has not complied with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act or the Federal Power Act by designating these NIETCs,” Catskill Mountainkeeper Executive Director Ramsay Adams said. “Catskill Mountainkeeper is committed to fighting on behalf of the communities in the regions affected by this proposal.”

The NIETC designation would facilitate the erection of power lines by NYRI by giving them federal recourse when applications have been blocked or neglected by the state, as well as federal power of eminent domain.

For more information email info@catskillmountainkeeper.org or call 845/482-5400.

Rape suspect apprehended in Thompson

TOWN OF THOMPSON, NY — Brian Travis, aged 40, who was wanted on multiple counts, was apprehended in the Town of Thompson by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, November 30. Deputies from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding his location just after midnight.

Among the warrants was one for rape, out of Rochester. Other warrants were from the Liberty Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff and Town of Shawangunk Police Department.

Deputies surrounded a residence at the Kinne Brook trailer park, where Sheriff’s Lieutenant Paul Pratti found the suspect, Brian Travis, aged 40, hiding under a bed. Travis, whose last known address is Ellenville, attempted to give his brother’s name and date of birth when he was arrested.

Travis was also under investigation by sheriff’s deputies for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Aggravated Harassment in the Town of Callicoon. He was arraigned on a total of 26 separate charges and sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Time running out for Pennsylvania property tax rebates

HARRISBURG, PA — Nearly 2,900 homeowners and renters in Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties have until Monday, December 31 to apply for the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program, according to representative Mike Peifer (R-139).

The latest figures from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue show that over 540,000 older and disabled Pennsylvanians have received rebates this year through October 29, but over 216,000 eligible residents have yet to apply. That includes 74 people in Pike County and 1,282 in Wayne County.

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2006. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities.

PTRR claim forms are at Peifer’s district office at Wayne County Visitors Center, 32 Commercial Street, Suite 200, Honesdale.

For more information call 570/253-5533.

Roscoe school ranked tops

ROSCOE, NY — Roscoe School District has been included in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best High Schools” list. It was one of 1,600 schools that made the list out of a total 18,700 reviewed by the magazine.

Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze stars on the basis of the degree to which students meet state standards on math and English. The number of disadvantaged students was also taken into account. Roscoe, which has a total enrollment of 265 students in grades K through 12, of which 42 percent are considered disadvantaged, received a bronze star. Those disadvantaged students scored 18.6 percent above the state average on state tests.

Roscoe was excluded from receiving a gold or silver star due to a lack of advanced college-placement courses.

Number of hunting licenses issued is declining in Empire State

NEW YORK — The number of licenses issued in New York is reaching new lows this year.

According to statistics issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), general hunting licenses dropped from 901,313 in 2006 to 751,482 in 2007. Trapping licenses dropped from 13,015 in 2006 to 11,717 in 2007. Big Game licenses dropped from 721,312 in 2006 to 611,207 in 2007. In general, license sales dropped from 1,866,543 in 2006 to 1,259,456 in 2007.

“As recent statistics show, the general population of the state [New York] is aging out,” said Lori O’Connell of the DEC. “As you can see from the census data, the decline is not only in hunters, but in population overall.”

The average age of resident hunters was 46.3 years old in 1997 when the DEC did the last hunter demographic survey with Cornell. “The average age had increased from 41.4 years old in 1989,” she said. “The average age is likely to be even older now in 2006/2007,” O’Connell said.

An article appearing in the recent issue of The New York Sunday Times said that wildlife experts estimate 32 million white-tails—by far the country’s dominant species of deer—roam America’s woods, fields, and backyards. “Last year, hunters killed only 6.6 million of them,” the article said.