Authorizes the towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southold, and Southampton in the county of Suffolk to adopt local laws in certain cases related to taking wild deer

Summary of provisions

Section 1, Legislative Findings

Section 2. Amends Subdivision 7 of § 11-0903 of the Environmental Conservation Law by adding a new paragraph h to authorize towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southold, and Southampton in the county of Suffolk, and the villages within said towns, to adopt local laws to relating to (i) permitting hunting on Saturday and Sunday during open seasons for taking wild deer; (ii) permitting the use of a long bow to take wild deer during open seasons for taking wild deer; and (iii) to repeal the requirement of a special permit provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation and issued by the town clerk during open seasons for taking wild deer as provided for by this subdivision.

Section 3. Subdivision 4 of § 11-0931 of the Environmental Conservation Law, subparagraph 3 of paragraph a as added by Chapter 400 of the Laws of 1973 and subparagraph 4 of paragraph a ad added by Chapter 67 of the Laws of 1976 is amended to provide the towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southold, and Southampton in the county of Suffolk, and villages within said towns, shall be authorized to enact local laws to permit a person to discharge a long bow a distance of not less than 150 feet from a dwelling house, farm building or farm structure actually occupied or used, school building, school playground, or occupied factory or church.

Section 4. Provides for an immediate effective date; provided further that this act shall expire December 31, 2015 when upon such date the provisions of this act and any local laws enacted pursuant to this act shall be deemed repealed.

Justification

The recent population explosion of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Eastern Long Island threatens public health, public safety, personal property, and the environment. Local municipal deer management plans describe the uncontrolled increase in population as an emergency, crisis situation, requiring immediate action.

There are several indicators of the crisis. Tick borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Babisiosis and Ehrlichiosis have increased exponentially. The incidence of reported deer/vehicle collisions on eastern Long Island has increased. The incidence of property damage complaints has increased, including huge financial losses to the region's critical agricultural economy.

Environmentally speaking, the preserved lands and native landscapes of the East End are being destroyed. Increased browsing on deer-preferred plants has changed the type and species of plants that can survive and withstand the destruction. Rare wildflowers and common native herbaceous plants have declined. Forested lands show a clear browse line, and tree saplings are now not surviving. Intense browsing of native species has also led to an increase in invasive plant species which cause even further destruction to natural habitats. The environmental changes in and degradation of these native habitats displaces wildlife. These long-term changes adversely impact the integrity of eastern Long Island's ecosystems.

Without controlling the deer population, human health and safety will continue to be put in jeopardy.

Prior legislative history

2013: New Legislation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided further that this act shall expire December 31, 2015 when upon such date the provisions of this act and any local laws enacted pursuant to this act shall be deemed repealed.