Requires the department of environmental conservation to prepare a report on the economic impact of hunting, fishing, and wildlife-associated activities in New York

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to preparing a report on the economic impact of hunting and fishing; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to provide more accurate and timely information to policy makers and department administrators regarding the tourism and economic impact of hunting, fishing and wildlife-associated recreation in New York State.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would require the Department of Environmental Conservation, in conjunction with the Department of Economic Development and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic reservation, to prepare a summary report every two years on the economic and tourism impact of fishing, hunting, and wildlife- associated recreation in New York State. The bill would sunset in ten years.

Specifically, the report shall include, but not be limited to the following:

* the number of anglers, hunters, and wildlife-watching participants, including recreational vehicle participants, in New York state, including a breakdown of resident and non -resident anglers, hunters, and wildlife-watching participants;

* The frequency of participation of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers and how much money they spend on their activities including but not limited to expenditures on equipment, bait and tackle, hotels, and motels, restaurants, lodges, and camps, grocery and hardware stores, and guide services; and

* An estimate of the number of jobs that are supported by anglers, hunters, and wildlife-watching participants as well as the amount of sales tax and income tax generated by anglers, hunters, and wildlife-watching participants.

Justification

According to a "2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation," recreational anglers and hunters spent more than $3.5 billion in pursuit of their pastimes in New York in 2001. A 1996 survey found that expenditures include monies spent for equipment, bait and tackle, hotels and motels, restaurants, lodges and camps, grocery and hardware stores, and guide services. The survey also found that these expenditures and their associated economic impact supported 43,000 jobs and generated $100 million in state sales tax and $32 million in state income tax in New York State in 1996. Nationally, the survey estimated that hunting and fishing supported 1.9 million jobs and generated $2.9 billion in state sales tax and $772 million in state income tax.

Hunting, fishing, and wildlife-associated recreation support jobs, generate sales and income taxes, and are an integral component of the tourism industry and the overall economy in New York State. Efforts are underway in each state to promote tourism, including hunting, recreational fishing, and wildlife-associated recreation in the name of economic development. Currently, DEC must rely on a study every five years by the United States Departments of Interior and Commerce to determine the number of people who hunt and fish and expenditures relating to their recreation.

Therefore, this legislation is intended to provide more accurate and timely information to policymakers and department administrators regarding the tourism and economic impact of hunting, fishing and wildlife-associated recreation in New York State.

Prior legislative history

2005-06: A.8040 2007-08:A.4612

Fiscal implications

Minimal. Could be completed within the current resources of the Department.

Effective date

October 1 after enactment and shall sunset in ten years.