Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says the state's Department of Environmental Conservation needs to add forest rangers to reflect the growth of forest land the state has acquired in recent years.

Speaking at the recent joint budget hearing on environmental conservation issues, Jenne told Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos that the number of forest rangers in the state has actually been reduced over the years during a significant increase in the amount of state-owned property.

Jenne represents the 116th Assembly District, the so-called “River District.” It includes all St. Lawrence County communities along the St. Lawrence River, plus Canton and Potsdam.

She said additional forest rangers are needed as the state seeks to grow tourism in areas like the Adirondacks, St. Lawrence Valley and Thousand Islands.

"Requiring the addition of one new ranger per 30,000 acres of additional land that comes under the jurisdiction of the department would allow these lands to be protected and preserved in a manner that is consistent with DEC and public expectations," Jenne said.

"It is the purpose of this act to ensure that the forest rangers are granted the appropriate resources necessary to meet their expanded responsibilities, and protect environmentally preserved land within the state's jurisdiction," she added.

Assemblywoman Russell is sponsoring Safe Staffing for Environmental Police legislation (A-1459) that would require the state DEC to add one new full time equivalent forest ranger position must be added for every 30,000 acres of land that is acquired by the state and placed under the jurisdiction of the department.

She suggested the legislation would ensure forest rangers are capable of fulfilling the responsibilities required by their position, which were expanded in 2006 when their status changed to police officer.

The assemblywoman said it is critical to have a mandate so the number of forest rangers in the state is based on the number of acres within the jurisdiction of the state's DEC.

She pointed out that the DEC has acquired approximately 1.5 million additional acres of land over the past 45 years. The state now owns 4.87 million acres. Assemblywoman Jenne said the state simultaneously decreased the number of forest rangers employed to protect these lands during that time period.

Assemblywoman Jenne also took time at the hearing to praise the DEC and other state officials for their support of Plan 2014 to control water flows on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

That plan, approved by the International Joint Commission, has drawn fire from state lawmakers representing the Rochester area, but Assemblywoman Jenne said the new flow levels are better for the environment and will assist tourism efforts along the shores of the lake and river.

"My region has suffered a tremendous amount of environmental damage as a result of the previous flow levels. We are hoping to see the restoration of our watershed with the new flow levels and that better flow should improve our fisheries," Assemblywoman Jenne pointed out.

She also told Commissioner Seggos that state funding for salt storage facilities and advanced residential septic treatment systems could be extremely beneficial for the North Country. She also called for continued work to control invasives on the state's waterway, including blue-green algae blooms now seen in the Indian River Lake system.

Assemblywoman Jenne opened her remarks by referencing the earlier discussion at the committee meeting about problems associated with the growth of the deer and turkey populations on Staten island. The state DEC is currently working on a deer sterilization effort on Staten Island.

"We have many more successful tools for controlling the deer and turkey populations in the North Country," she quipped.