DEC AND VOLUNTEERS PREPARE FOR ANNUAL SALAMANDER AND FROG MIGRATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

 

Spring Thaw and Warm Rains will Soon Lure Amphibians to Vernal Pools for Breeding

 Throughout the Hudson Valley, community volunteers are getting out their flashlights, reflective vests, and raingear in anticipation of annual amphibian breeding migrations, which typically begin in mid-March, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. Volunteers will document the migration and help salamanders and frogs as part of DEC’s Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project.

“The Hudson Valley has remarkable amphibian diversity and during this time of year, road mortality poses a significant threat to the salamanders and frogs migrating from forests to vernal pools for breeding,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC is grateful to the dedicated volunteers ready to assist amphibians attempting road crossings during their annual migration. I encourage all New Yorkers and visitors traveling the state’s roads to be on the lookout for these vulnerable amphibians and the dedicated volunteers keeping them safe.”

Now in its 14th year, DEC’s Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Project was initiated by the Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University to raise awareness about critical amphibian habitat, engage volunteers to help collect data on the annual migration, and reduce amphibian road mortality. More than 800 volunteers have participated in the effort since 2009, and helped move an estimated 27,390 salamanders, frogs, and toads safely across roads.

In the coming weeks, as temperatures rise and snow melts, forest species like wood frog (Lithobates sylvatica), spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), and Jefferson-blue spotted salamander complex (Ambystoma jeffersonianum x laterale) will emerge from underground winter shelters and head to vernal pools for breeding. Vernal pools are small, temporary wetlands in the forest that are critical breeding habitat for these amphibians. The pools hold water until summer, so the adult amphibians must gather, breed, and deposit eggs early enough to ensure their aquatic young can hatch, grow, and leave the pools before they dry up.

The timing of migration is weather-dependent and in the Hudson Valley, with concentrated activity on the first warm, rainy nights in March, after the ground has thawed and night air temperatures remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The suitability of migration conditions varies throughout the Hudson River estuary watershed, but when it’s just right, there can be explosive "big night" migrations with hundreds of amphibians on the move. On their journeys between forest habitat and breeding pools, these amphibians often need to cross roads, where mortality can be high even when traffic is low.

Project volunteers document road locations where they observe migrations in the Hudson Valley, record weather and traffic conditions, and identify and count the amphibians on the move. Volunteers also carefully help the amphibians to safely cross roads. Since the project started, volunteers have documented 20 species and counted 32,500 live amphibians, as well as nearly 14,000 migrating amphibians killed by passing vehicles. Species reported most frequently during migration nights include spotted salamander, wood frog, and spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer). To a lesser degree, volunteers have also observed Jefferson-blue spotted salamander complex and four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum), species of conservation concern in New York.

Safety is critical, and project volunteers are expected to take all necessary precautions. Volunteers are advised to wear reflective safety vests and headlamps to increase visibility on dark roads, and should not interfere with passing vehicles. Amphibian safety is also important, and frogs and salamanders should only be handled with care and clean hands, free of hand sanitizer, lotion, and other substances that can be toxic to amphibians’ porous skin.

For more information, including a short video about amphibian migrations, visit DEC’s website. DEC held a virtual training for volunteers in February with 105 participants. New Yorkers interested in volunteering to participate in this annual event are encouraged to watch a series of training videos on YouTube and read the Volunteer Handbook. In addition, potential volunteers can access a recording of the training and use materials available on the project website to learn more, including where groups in the Hudson Valley are helping to organize local volunteers. Anyone interested in receiving project updates and news about the migration can subscribe to the project e-newsletter through DEC Delivers.

DEC supports programs like the Amphibian Migration and Road Crossings Project to educate people about the importance of wetlands and healthy, connected forests, and encourage proactive conservation planning. These habitats are carbon storage and sequestration powerhouses, making them an invaluable tool in New York’s nation-leading fight against climate change. The program is also critical for maintaining the state’s rich diversity of plants and animals, and especially the vernal pool breeding amphibians that are of conservation concern throughout their Northeast range.

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO NEW YORK CITY DISTRICTING COMMISSION

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced seven mayoral appointees to the New York City Districting Commission. The commission — comprised of seven members appointed by the mayor and eight members appointed by the City Council — will be tasked with redrawing council district boundaries in advance of the upcoming City Council elections in 2023.

“An independent, impartial redistricting process is critical to a healthy democracy,” said Mayor Adams. “This impressive array of public servants will serve the city well and truly reflect New York’s growing diversity. I thank them for answering the call to service and working to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”

 

The City Charter requires the City Council and the mayor to appoint an independent Districting Commission every 10 years, following the decennial census. The process ensures council districts continue to reflect population and demographic changes. After the commission is constituted, commission members and their staff will begin meeting to review all relevant laws, regulations, and the most recent census data. After a series of public hearings and meetings, the commission will develop a final plan, which must be submitted to the City Council by the end of the year.

 

Mayor Adams’ appointees are:

 

Hon. Marilyn D. Go

Marilyn D. Go served as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York from 1993 to 2019. She previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Civil Division of the Eastern District of New York from 1978 to 1982. She then joined the law firm Baden Kramer Huffman Brodsky & Go, where she became a partner in 1984. Go began her career as a clerk for Court of Common Pleas Judge William Marutani.

 

Maria Mateo, Esq.

Maria Mateo, Esq. is a solo practitioner based in Queens, New York. She founded her firm in 2011. Previously, Mateo worked at the Immigration Tenant Advocacy Project in 2010 and Sanctuary for Families in 2009. Before that, she worked in the Department of Domestic Violence at the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Prior, Mateo worked for the Presidency of the Dominican Republic as a bilingual attorney. She belongs to several organizations, including the Latino Lawyers Association.

 

Joshua Schneps

Joshua Schneps is the CEO and publisher of Schneps Media — a family-run business — which publishes dozens of local newspapers, magazines, and local websites in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Previously, Schneps was a sales representative with the Forum Courier, a Queens-based local newspaper publisher. He earned a B.S. from Indiana University.

 

Lisa Sorin

Lisa Sorin serves as president of the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Sorkin was executive director of the Westchester Square District Management Association. Prior to that, she was head of LAS Consulting Services, Inc. Sorkin holds a B.A. and an M.S. in Business Leadership from Concordia College.

 

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan

Monsignor Kevin Sullivan is executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. He previously served as chair of the 9/11 United Services Group, co-founded the Washington Heights-Inwood Coalition and the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, and served as co-chair of the Partnership for the homeless. Before that, Monsignor Sullivan was a parish priest at St. Elizabeth’s Church.

 

Dennis M. Walcott

Dennis M. Walcott has served as president and CEO of Queens Public Library since 2016. Prior to that, Walcott served as the state-appointed monitor of the East Ramapo School District. In 2014, he was named an Honorary Distinguished Fellow at the University of the West Indies and he has been an adjunct professor at Fordham University’s graduate program, The Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders. Walcott previously served as chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, he served as deputy mayor for education and community development.

 

Kai-Ki Wong

Kai-Ki Wong is a career civil servant who, most recently, served as assistant chief plan examiner at the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Before that, he was a plan examiner for DOB. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Architecture from Ecole Speciale d’Architecture.

 

News from BP Gibson: Resources and Updates

Dear Neighbors,   We had a great week as we traveled across the borough spending time with many of you, and I want to wish everyone a Happy Women's HerStory Month! I am especially excited about Women`s HerStory Month this year, as we have a record number of women in elected office in The Bronx and New York City. Also, for the first time, we have two women leading at Bronx Borough Hall. This is an exciting time for our city, and I want to congratulate all of the HerStory makers who are shattering glass ceilings and who are creating opportunities for the next generation of young female leaders in our borough. I want to remind you all that tax season is here. If you or someone you know needs assistance, New York City has a number of free resources. You can visit http://bronxworkstaxes.as.me/taxtime for more information.   As the fight against COVID-19 continues, New Yorkers have made significant progress. Effective today, if you are patronizing restaurants, bars and other indoor venues, you will no longer have to show proof of vaccination at the door to get in. All other vaccine mandates will remain in effect, specifically work-related COVID-19 policies in New York City. The deadline to submit Community Board applications has closed, and I want to thank everyone who has submitted an application and expressed interest in making your voice heard. We will share more updates about this soon.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.   In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON ON THE FATAL STABBING OF A MOTHER AND HER SIX-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

“I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the news of a Bronx mother and her six-year-old daughter being fatally stabbed over the weekend in their home.   According to the NYC Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee’s 2021 Annual report, The Bronx had the highest number of Domestic Violence homicides of any borough in the city. These statistics are heartbreaking and unacceptable. During my time in the City Council and as the former Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus, we worked with organizations and providers that were on the ground providing support to survivors of Domestic and Gender Based Violence. Last month, our office reinstated our Domestic and Gender Based Violence Advisory Council and we will be working with providers from throughout the city to identify areas in which we can collaborate to find solutions to this problem in our borough.    Domestic violence is an epidemic that affects everyone, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is a crime that we must reject, punish and work to eradicate. On behalf of our Bronx community, I offer condolences and prayers to the loved ones of those who were tragically killed by this horrific act of violence. To all of the survivors of Domestic and Gender Based Violence, I want you to know that you are not alone, and we will continue to fight for you.”

In the Community

Borough President Gibson, Deputy Borough President Peguero and Acting BOEDC President Rogers meet with Prestige Properties at The Mall at Bay Plaza to discuss partnerships, economic development and the work ahead for current businesses and new businesses. Borough President Gibson joins Superintendent Renee Peart to visit the James Monroe Educational Campus and speak with students.

Borough President Gibson joins Council Member Sanchez for the opening of her district office. Borough President Gibson joins The African Advisory Council's meeting at Bronx Community College.

Borough President Gibson, Council Member Sanchez and Council Member De La Rosa attend the Marble Hill Houses Tenants Association meeting. Borough President Gibson visits Mercy Center, a faith-based social services organization in The Bronx.

Borough President Gibson joins The National Supermarket Association for the inauguration of their new board. Borough President Gibson joins R.A.I.N. Inc at their Eastchester Center for their Vaccine Day and Black History Month event.

Deputy Borough President Peguero joins The Patterson Community Center's Black History Month Event. Borough President Gibson joins Mayor Adams for the announcement of the Commissioner of the Department of Probation and the Director of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.

Borough President Gibson and Deputy Borough President Peguero join colleagues and the community to celebrate Dominican Independence Day. Borough President Gibson joins Reverend Roger Hambrick for a celebration of his birthday.

 

COVID-19 Resources

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced several changes to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions including the suspension of the Key to NYC program and the removal of indoor mask mandates in city public schools for K-12 students.    BEGINNING TODAY:   Key to NYC rules will be suspended. Indoor venues, including restaurants, fitness facilities, and entertainment spaces will no longer be required to check for proof of vaccination before customers enter. Businesses previously covered by Key to NYC rules will still have the flexibility to require proof of vaccination or masking indoors if they choose.    Masks will no longer be required on public school grounds for kindergarten to 12th grade students. While these public school children will be able to remove their masks, if they so choose, schools will continue to maintain strict COVID-19 protocols, including increased ventilation, a daily screener to ensure those with symptoms do not come to school, and test kit distribution. Masks will continue to be required for all settings with children under 5 years of age (where none of the population is yet eligible for the vaccine), including programs contracted by the New York City Department of Education with 3- and 4-year-old children as well as 3k and 4K classrooms in district schools.     Mayor Adams today also announced that all other COVID-19 mandates will remain in effect. Under the rules, employees will still be required to be vaccinated unless they have received a reasonable accommodation from their employer.

Free home COVID-19 testing kits will be available by mail: https://special.usps.com/testkits Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order: ·       Limit of one order per residential address ·       One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests ·       Orders will ship free starting in late January

Long Island Medical Doctor Pleads Guilty to Medicare Billing Fraud Scheme

 

Defendant Was Paid Over $1 Million for Procedures on Patients That Were Never Performed

 Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Morris Barnard, a medical doctor practicing in Great Neck, New York, pleaded guilty to health care fraud in connection with billing Medicare for millions of dollars for medical procedures that were never actually performed.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Scott Lampert, Special Agent-in-Charge, Health & Human Services and Michael Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the guilty plea.

“With today’s guilty plea, Dr. Barnard admits to committing a multi-million dollar fraud on the Medicare program by billing for procedures he did not perform,” stated United States Attorney Peace.   “By claiming to render services to disabled and other vulnerable patients, Dr. Barnard not only pocketed taxpayer funds that were intended to help beneficiaries in need, he also betrayed his oath for profit.  We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of taxpayer-funded health care programs.” 

“Money that’s allocated for Medicare-approved services, and fraudulently paid out to providers who don’t actually perform these services, is a crime that’s ultimately paid for by taxpayers themselves. Our office is committed to rooting out this type of fraudulent activity and maintaining the integrity of our government-sponsored health care programs,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in Charge Driscoll.

“The defendant’s actions diverted scarce taxpayer funds from the Medicare program for personal enrichment, while taking advantage of vulnerable individuals,” stated HHS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Lampert.  “Working with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to ensure that providers that bill federally funded health care programs do so in an honest manner, and criminals will be held accountable.”

From October 2015 through February 2020, Dr. Barnard submitted over $3 million in billings to Medicare for colonoscopy and gastroenterological procedures that were not done.  Most of these billings indicated that the services were rendered to disabled beneficiaries, who were living in residential group homes.  Medicare reimbursed approximately $1.4 million of these false claims, none of which Dr. Barnard was entitled to receive.