Geddes, NY -- The state Department of Environmental Conservation will be at the New York State Fair this year. Officials from both the DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Markets, which runs the fair, announced Tuesday the DEC will be participating in its full traditional capacity at the 2010 fair. Jessica Ziehm, speaking for Ag and Markets, said the...
Geddes, NY -- The state Department of Environmental Conservation will be at the New York State Fair this year.
Officials from both the DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Markets, which runs the fair, announced Tuesday the DEC will be participating in its full traditional capacity at the 2010 fair.
Jessica Ziehm, speaking for Ag and Markets, said the department will use State Fair Enterprise Funds, also known as revenue it makes in its operations, to cover DEC's costs associated with its fair participation.
DEC officials considered not being at the fair this year because of budget constraints. “We (the DEC) cannot justify spending funds for the travel, shipping, supplies, rentals and other operational costs, nor can we afford to dedicate the many hours of staff time required for state fair operation,” a DEC official stated in a recent e-mail.
The DEC has been at the state fair for decades. In recent years, the state agency has occupied two buildings.
The fair this year runs from Aug. 26 through Sept. 6.
“This is an example of one state agency helping another," said state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker. "DEC’s exhibits are an integral part of the New York State Fair and always rank as one of the top exhibits by fairgoers. We are helping them by picking up the associated costs using non-taxpayer dollars that the fair generates through the sale of tickets, just as it does for other popular exhibits and entertainment.”
“We’re very pleased that everyone could come together to work out a solution,” said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. “As a result, DEC’s popular exhibits will be on hand again this year for the public to enjoy.”
DEC operates an aquarium exhibit and various displays in its log cabin and also sells and renews hunting and fishing licenses.