Seneca County, NY, about 20 miles North of Ithaca http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=17549&r=l Environmentalists fear time may be running out for Seneca County's rare herd of white deer. "There's no place else in the world these deer can be found," explains Dennis Money, with the group Seneca White Deer Inc. The group is raising awareness about the genetic jewels, which have flourished in the fenced-in conservation area of the former Seneca Army Depot. "All you have to do is market it and the people will come from all over the world," says Money. "I just got an email from Russia and there's a gentleman there who wants to support us." The environmentalists want to turn the conservation area into a safari of sorts through eco-tourism, allowing people to visit and take pictures. But they have plenty of competition. "We believe there'll be a balance that can be achieved for use of that property which would protect the deer herd, but also give us opportunities to generate jobs and a tax base," explains Glenn Cooke, Director of the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency. It's the economy versus the environment with proposals ranging from a residential resort area, to a windmill farm, power plant and more. Four master plans are on the table. "Each scenario would definitely have a conservation-recreation component," says Cooke. But nowhere near the 7,000 acres the deer have free reign over now. "Between 1,300 and about 3,300 acres," says Cooke. Money argues, that's not enough. "You cannot cram 700 or 600 deer into 1,000 acres. They would kill themselves because they would eat themselves out of house and home." That may be exactly what economic interests want. "There are issues about the resouces we have to maintain that deer herd at the size that it's at," admits Cooke. A handful of Seneca County officials are pouring over the plans, and ultimately 3 people will have final say. A decision is expected this summer. There are no public hearings scheduled before then. "It is unlikely that we will go through that process," says Cooke. "We simply don't have the resources or the staff to do that." However, letters and email are being accepted. You can contact the Seneca County Indsutrial Development Agency through the link below. Industrial Development Agency Executive Director Glenn Cooke Phone: 315-539-1722 Fax: 315-539-4340 E-mail: gcooke@co.seneca.ny.us Seneca County Board of Supervisors Margaret Li, Clerk to the Board Phone: 315-539-1700 Email: mli@co.seneca.ny.us
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm looks tasy.. but I think if you emailed sigfreid and roy, the would save it. deer do way less mauling.
why not they got shitloads of money and no kids? no one alive can save anything that has more than 3 of it.
