December 17, 2007

To All Our Supporters:

The Seneca Army Depot lands and wildlife continue to face various serious threats and we need your help to stop those ill conceived ideas. This time it is a local company, Sessler Wrecking, who is proposing to lease/buy 2500 acres of the former Depot and turn it into a private hunting club. They will charge high fees for those deep pocket hunters who will be looking for a white deer trophy. The Depot is the best place in the world to accomplish this as it contains the world’s largest herd of white, white tailed deer, nearly 200 white deer.

At a recent public hearing in Varick, NY re: the Sessler proposal and the $104,000 in sales tax exemptions which the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency (ISA) was considering to give the Sessler's, there was a tremendous outcry to protest this proposal. The small town hall was filled with people and all but one spoke in opposition to the fee hunting proposal. It was very clear that the citizens of the area wanted the Depot lands and wildlife to be protected for all the people of the world to come and enjoy. Many spoke of the uniqueness of the white deer, the military history and the need for open space, not to have land taken over for private gain and have the public prohibited from entering. Tourism will bring in far more dollars and produce far more jobs than any private hunting entity. We have also included a copy of what we presented at this hearing for the record.

Deer need to be managed through hunting or they will soon overpopulate an area and die of starvation. This happened in the early 1950’s in the Depot when one winter over 1,000 died. Without natural predators to keep a deer population in check, hunting is the only option to maintain a healthy herd of deer. Seneca White Deer has always believed in an annual fall hunt open, on a lottery system, to the public, not just wealthy individuals, as the best way to accomplish the management of the deer herd. Under our proposal a small application fee to apply for a chance at a permit would go to improving the habitat (very much needed right now!) and maintaining the 24 mile fence. Currently, the annual hunt is only open to military personnel but it is a free hunt. Not the best way but still better than a private, high fee hunting as proposed by the Sessler’s.

Our business plan has always called for tourism the majority of the year and a managed hunt in the fall for a couple of weeks. This balance of wildlife watching and deer management provides not only an economic stimulus  through jobs and sales tax revenue to Seneca County but also maintains a healthy deer herd. It is what conservation is all about – using our natural resources wisely. We hope you agree.

If you do, please send letters to the following people. Ask them to purchase the Depot lands through the New York State Open Space program. It is time to start protecting lands in the Finger Lakes instead of just the Adirondacks. The Depot lands and wildlife are unique in the world. They are truly a world class destination but that can only occur if they are protected by New York State and not by a for profit company such as the Sessler Wrecking Company. We appreciate your support. Please send letters to the following:

Contact People:

Commissioner Peter Grannis
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-1011
518-402-8545

Paul D’Amato, Regional Director
NYSDEC
6274 Avon-Lima Road
Avon NY 14414-9515
585-226-2466