DEC Announces 13 Additions to New York State Birding Trail

 

325 Sites on Statewide Trail Provides Birding Opportunities for All New Yorkers, Regardless of Age, Ability, Identity, or Background

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the addition of 13 new locations to the New York State Birding Trail. These new locations bring the total number of birding trail locations across the state to 325, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy.

“Fall is one of the most beautiful and scenic times to experience the outdoors in New York and it’s a prime time to visit the new State Birding Trail sites,” said Commissioner Seggos. "Birdwatching is one of New York’s fastest-growing recreation and tourism activities and these areas are open for visitors of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels to enjoy. I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to take the opportunity to explore these new locations and experience the state’s world-class birding opportunities.”

DEC manages the New York State Birding Trail in collaboration with partners that include the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The statewide trail network includes promoted birding locations that can be accessed by car or public transportation, providing an inclusive experience for all visitors to enjoy birds amid beautiful natural settings with little or no cost or investment in equipment.

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “Exploring the New York State Birding Trail is a great way to for people to see and learn about our state’s fascinating species of birds in their native habitats. These new additions to the trail offer even more places to enjoy and appreciate the natural world – and we encourage all to visit."

The newly added locations are on a mix of public and private lands across the state:

• Capital Region: Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail;
• Capital Region: Ann Lee Pond Nature and Historic Preserve;
• Capital Region: Lawson Lake County Park;
• Capital Region: Noonan Preserve;
• Catskills: Landis Arboretum;
• Central – Finger Lakes: Rice Creek Field Station;
• Central – Finger Lakes: Sterling Nature Center;
• Hudson Valley: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum;
• Hudson Valley: 6½ Station Road Sanctuary;
• Long Island: Smithtown Historical Society;
• NYC: Battery Park City;
• NYC: Madison Square Park; and
• Southern Tier: College Lodge Forest.

In addition to State-owned and managed locations for the Birding Trail, publicly and privately managed sites can complete a simple self-nomination process to be considered for inclusion on the trail. Sites all meet criteria to help ensure a positive experience for visitors throughout the state. Additionally, each site will post signage noting it as an official location on the birding trail. For information on the nomination process, see www.ibirdny.org.

New segments of the Birding Trail were opened in a phased approach from October 2021 through August 2022. DEC continues to solicit input from a wide range of New Yorkers and organizations that represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and is making trail information available in both English and Spanish. Bird walks will be held in collaboration with organizations working with BIPOC communities. 

The New York State Birding Trail map is available at www.ibirdny.org and provides valuable information on each site such as location, available amenities, species likely to be seen, directions, and more. Digital information on the Birding Trail will be updated periodically, so budding outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to check back often.

DEC encourages birding enthusiasts to visit I Bird NY for more information on where and how to observe birds, upcoming bird walks, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (available in Spanish), and additional resources.

DEC manages and oversees nearly five million acres of public lands and conservation easements and plays a vital role in both protecting New York’s natural resources and providing opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. From fishing on scenic streams, hiking and rock climbing, swimming and boating, birding, and nature study, or simply relaxing in a tent under the stars, there are endless adventures to be found. Visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/, connect on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.

Attorney General James Takes Action Against Central New York Ski Resorts for Unfair and Illegal Practices

 

AG James Sues Intermountain for Buying Competitor and Shutting It Down to Reduce Competition

Greek Peak Mountain Owner to Pay $195,000 for Illegal Noncompete Agreements

New York Attorney General Letitia James today took two actions to stop unlawful and monopolistic business practices by ski resort operators in Central New York. Attorney General James is suing Intermountain Management (Intermountain) for buying its main competitor, Toggenburg Mountain, then shutting it down to direct skiers to its own ski mountains. In addition, Attorney General James today ended an illegal agreement between the owner of Greek Peak Mountain (Greek Peak), John H. Meier, and Intermountain that prohibited Mr. Meier from competing with Intermountain or hiring any of its employees. As a result of a settlement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Mr. Meier is required to pay $195,000 to the state and will cooperate with the litigation against Intermountain.

“Intermountain tried to freeze out competitors to increase its profits and dominate the region’s ski market. Today we are taking action to end these illegal arrangements and protect workers, skiers, and consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Monopolies are not a game. They harm consumers, drive up prices, and limit workers’ opportunities. Intermountain’s greedy behavior left skiers out in the cold all so they could line their own pockets and be on top of the ski market. Illegal and unfair practices by businesses big and small will not be tolerated by my office.”

In August 2021, John Meier, operator of Greek Peak Mountain, sold Toggenburg Mountain — a mainstay for Syracuse-area skiers and snowboarders — to its main competitor, Intermountain. Intermountain owns and operates the only other two ski resorts in the Syracuse area, Labrador and Song Mountains. The OAG lawsuit alleges that Intermountain only purchased Toggenburg to shut out competition, which was made clear when it immediately closed Toggenburg and announced that Toggenburg would not reopen for the upcoming season. Instead of continuing to operate Toggenburg, Intermountain suggested its customers drive to Labrador or Song Mountain, so that Intermountain could capture the additional sales. Intermountain also publicly announced that it would insert a deed restriction barring future buyers from using Toggenburg as a ski resort ever again, thereby asserting itself as the only ski operator in the Syracuse area.

The lawsuit alleges that Intermountain partners Peter Harris and Richard Sykes collaborated on the anticompetitive scheme to buy Toggenburg and establish their monopoly for years, approaching Mr. Meier repeatedly, inviting him to drinks at private social clubs, meals at local restaurants, and even staging a “faux buy” where they approached Mr. Meier through a third party. When Mr. Meier finally agreed to sell, Intermountain’s owners required him to agree that he would not compete with any of the Intermountain ski resorts, including Labrador and Song Mountains, for five years.

The noncompete agreement prohibited Mr. Meier from hiring any of Intermountain’s employees, from janitorial staff to ski lift operators, in what is known as a “no-poach” provision. No-poach agreements and provisions reduce competition for employees and disrupt normal wage-setting mechanisms, harming workers. The OAG’s investigation did not identify any reason for the no-poach provision and determined that its inclusion was unlawful. In addition to the agreement with Intermountain, Mr. Meier had entered into similar agreements with his former partner, Marc Stemerman, and E. James Hickey. The agreement with Mr. Stemerman contained a no-poach provision, and the agreement with Mr. Hickey had a geographic restriction that barred Mr. Hickey from competing within a 70-mile radius around Toggenburg. Ultimately, these illegal agreements harmed workers’ mobility and career choices.

The OAG ended these illegal agreements and Mr. Meier will pay $195,000 to the state, which is the amount he was paid by Intermountain for the agreement. Mr. Meier is also required to cooperate with OAG’s litigation against Intermountain.

As part of the lawsuit against Intermountain, Attorney General James is seeking to require Intermountain to sell one of its resorts and rescind its illegal noncompete agreement. In addition, Attorney General James is seeking monetary relief for the ill-gotten gains from Toggenburg customers forced to move to Intermountain, and civil penalties for Intermountain’s unfair and illegal business practices.

Statement from NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy on Winning the Lawsuit Challenging Democrats’ Illegal Absentee Ballot Laws

 

“Today is another good day for free and fair elections in New York. Just like their illegal Hochulmander and their non-citizen voting scheme, Democrats’ attempt to rig our elections was slapped down by the courts. When I took over as Chairman of the New York GOP, I promised to usher in a new, fighting era that took on Democrats’ brazen lawlessness and this victory is another win for election integrity. As with all of these cases, the Constitution has been on our side and we will continue to fight to uphold the will of the voters and to ensure honest elections in New York."

Clinical specimen testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Wadsworth Laboratory - OCTOBER 21, 2022

 Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

26 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. 

"I urge New Yorkers to take advantage of all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul also announced this week that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19. The State Department of Health updated its guidance after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended its emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its clinical guidance, which collectively will allow more children to safely boost their immunity against COVID-19.

The Governor continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

In addition, Governor Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is already widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both currently circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

The State Department of Health recently announced the launch of its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. The advertisements, which will run in both English and Spanish language, began running on Monday, October 10.

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Cases Per 100k - 21.35
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 19.62
• Test Results Reported - 69,073
• Total Positive - 4,173
• Percent Positive - 5.50%**    
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.37%**       
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,806 (-13)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 462
• Patients in ICU - 286 (-9)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 107 (-10)
• Total Discharges - 353,162 (+434)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 26  
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,555

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.   

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.  

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 74,718

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.       

• Total vaccine doses administered - 40,314,873
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 4,248
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 22,491
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 93.4% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 89.3% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 86.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 83.6% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 75.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 92.9% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 79.4% 

Each region's 7-day average of cases per 100K population is as follows:       

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:       

Borough	Tuesday,   October   18, 2022	Wednesday,   October   19, 2022	Thursday,   October   20, 2022
Bronx	5.27%	5.12%	5.23%
Kings	5.21%	5.14%	4.64%
New York	5.43%	5.43%	5.29%
Queens	6.28%	6.32%	6.09%
Richmond	6.89%	6.65%	6.07%