Press Release: NYS, May 5, 2000

Governor George E. Pataki today announced the State will purchase and add 194 acres of environmentally-sensitive land, and provide $500,000 toward creation of a nature and education Center, to the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area. The Governor also designated the Northern Montezuma and the Braddock Bay WMAs as State Bird Conservation Areas.

"New York is a natural wonderland of untamed places filled with birds and wildlife that provide us with a glimpse into Mother Nature's awesome beauty," Governor Pataki said. "Northern Montezuma is one of those unspoiled places that must be protected because it will provide future generations of New Yorkers with a special opportunity to learn about nature.

"By safeguarding and enhancing these critical areas, we are securing critical habitat for resident and migratory birds and wildlife, while focusing needed attention on protecting our bird populations," the Governor said. "The Crusoe Center will provide unique outdoor recreation, environmental education and research opportunities to all New Yorkers and visitors can learn about and enjoy the magnificent wildlife, wetlands, history and culture of the Montezuma Wetlands."

Senator Michael F. Nozzolio said, "This important land acquisition builds upon our efforts to highlight the Montezuma Wetlands Complex as a local, state and national environmental treasure. Combined with last year's commitment of $300,000 in funding which I secured for the development of the Crusoe Nature and Education Center, this initiative will further help to single out Savannah and the entire Montezuma Wetlands Complex as among the top spots in the nation to observe and learn about wildlife and nature. The Montezuma Wetlands Complex is a shining example of how preserving and protecting our environment can boost our local and regional economy."

Assemblyman Robert Oaks said, "The expansion of protected lands in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex and the purchase of the property that will ultimately house the Crusoe Conservation Center will insure that future generations will be able to learn about the importance of these environmentally sensitive wetlands and utilize this area for family fun and recreation."

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch said, "I am delighted that the State, through the Governor's initiative, has acquired additional land for the Montezuma Wetlands Management Area. This will not only allow us to protect wildlife, particularly waterfowl, but it will also allow for a wonderful legacy to be passed onto our children."

Town of Savannah Supervisor Don Colvin said, "This is another great day for the residents of the Town of Savannah. I thank Governor Pataki for his continued commitment to our region and look forward to welcoming visitors here for years to come."

Allen Starling, Regional Director of Ducks Unlimited in Central and Western New York, said, "Governor Pataki's use of $1.1 million in Bond Act funding for a major land acquisition at Montezuma in 1997 was the foundation for today's important announcements, actions that display the State's continued commitment to hunting, fishing, trapping and the sportsmen and women who enjoy them."

An educational center at the Northern Montezuma WMA would expand recreation, education and interpretive opportunities for visitors to the complex and area school children. An estimated 150,000 people annually visit the Montezuma wetlands, including 10,000 children on school trips.

The proposed center, which has been championed by Senator Nozzolio, Assemblyman Oaks, Wayne County, the Town of Savannah and others, will attract additional visitors to the Northern Montezuma WMA and increase public awareness of the need for conserving habitat critical to bird populations and other wildlife.

The 194-acre acquisition is within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, located at the northern end of Cayuga Lake, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. The land acquired will be added to the DEC's Northern Montezuma WMA and is included in the area designated today by the Governor as a State Bird Conservation Area. The purchase expands critical habitat for avian species and enhances public access and enjoyment of the MWC.

The 194 acres in the Town of Savannah will be purchased from Donald Colvin and family, with the final closing expected next month. The latest purchases comes in addition to the 193 acres in Wayne and Cayuga Counties purchased last year from Joseph and Angelo Giancarelli and 138 acres in the Town of Montezuma, Cayuga County, purchased in 1998 from Sheila Harden.

Funding for the three parcels comes from a nearly $1 million grant received from federal North American Wetlands Conservation Area, which the State received for land acquisition, wetland restoration and wetland development. The federal funds came as match for the state's $1.1 million purchase of the 730-acre Malone farm purchase in 1997 using money from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. The three acquisitions bringing the total land acquired since 1997 to 1,255 acres.

A total of 16,779 acres of land in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) is managed under cooperative agreements by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The USFWS manages the 7,730-acre Montezuma Wildlife Refuge and the 6,449-acre Northen Montezuma Wildlife Management Area is managed by DEC. Roughly 2,500 acres is managed by private individuals and organizations.

Many rare and protected species are known to inhabit the Montezuma wetlands including the bald eagle (threatened), peregrine falcon (endangered), black tern (endangered), short-eared owl (endangered), pied-billed grebe (threatened), least bittern (threatened), northern harrier (threatened), American bittern, osprey and cerulean warbler (all special concern).

The MWC is also one of the most significant stopover and foraging locations for shorebirds in upstate New York, regularly hosting 1,000 or more individuals from 25 species. The area also supports breeding colonies of great blue herons and black-crowned night herons. Additionally, the MWC hosts one of the largest fall swallow concentrations in the state and the area was recently found to support a large breeding population of cerulean warblers.

The Braddock Bay marsh provides excellent nesting, feeding and resting habitat for wildlife, waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds, songbirds and raptors. The area hosts a wide variety of rare and common species of birds including the bald eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, northern goshawk and red-shouldered hawk.

"Bird watching provides wonderful opportunities for families to appreciate the outdoors and helps develop an expanded love and respect for the magnificent natural resources we enjoy in New York State," the Governor said. "With the designation of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex and Braddock Bay as State Bird Conservation Areas, we will integrate bird conservation interests in planning, management and research projects and take a comprehensive, ecosystem approach to conserving birds and their habitats."

David J. Miller, executive director of the National Audubon Society of New York State, said, "Montezuma and Braddock Bay are true havens for waterfowl and migratory birds. Audubon applauds Governor Pataki's designation of these bird conservation areas and his leadership in bird conservation issues."

Tom Jasikoff, manager of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, said, "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a major partner in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, applauds the official designation of the complex's state-owned lands as an Important Bird Conservation area and looks forward to working with the State and our other partners to support wildlife conservation efforts in the region."

In 1997, Governor Pataki signed legislation establishing New York's Bird Conservation Area program, designed to safeguard and enhance bird populations and their habitats on selected state lands and waters. The legislation authorizes the designation of State lands that are of particular importance to the conservation of birds.

The Bird Conservation Areas are selected by State and private wildlife experts because they support an exceptional abundance and diversity of birds. The focus of the program is to provide a basis for the establishment of model stewardship programs and the development of interpretive and educational programs for bird conservation. Since 1998, six BCA's have been designated in New York State.

DEC Commissioner John P. Cahill said, "Thanks to the Governor's visionary leadership, the 36,000-acre Montezuma Wetlands Complex, New York State's premier wetland, and the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area will continue to support the more than one million migratory waterfowl that depend on these areas for critical resting, nesting and feeding during their spring and fall migrations along the North American flyway."