Tony C. Zappia       Focus on the Outdoors

At some point soon, long-term assemblyman Pete Grannis will attend his confirmation hearing to be the next Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Grannis, a Manhattan legislator, has been viewed by many sportsmen's organizations as anti-hunter, anti-trapping and anti-gun ownership.

As DEC Commissioner, Grannis would have the authority to make policy through regulatory means, bypassing consideration by our elected officials. These decisions could permanently impact hunters and gun owners in our state.

The New York State Conservation Council has decided not to take a position on Grannis's nomination. This neutral decision, with respect to an openly anti-gun, anti-hunting and anti-trapping candidate, coming from a staunch sportsmen's group has ruffled the feathers of many New York sportsmen.

Their concerns are based on a letter from Grannis dated Feb. 27. In that letter, Grannis confirmed the withdrawal of two bills he sponsored — A.3009, which would let county legislatures restrict, limit or prohibit trapping in their jurisdictions, and A.3006, which would add wild-game animals to the section of the agriculture and markets law that makes it a felony to torture a companion animal.

This act of reconciliation on behalf of Grannis has irked many sportsmen as they believe he will not change his most inner-core beliefs. Internet blogs have focused on Grannis using the position of DEC commissioner to actively hurt sportsmen while causing irreparable harm through changes that will support animal rights activities.

On the flip side of the coin, the Conservation Alliance of New York, CANY, upset with Grannis's retraction of the two bills, announced on March 5, their opposition to his confirmation.

"The CANY Board had long trusted Mr. Grannis to be one among the most principled of legislators and a man with whom the traditional conservationist might have a productive relationship," said CANY president Dave Miller. "His recent actions betray a purposeful disinformation campaign as if between opponents, not colleagues. This has disrupted the reserve and confidence of the Board. Therefore, the Board has voted toopposethe confirmation of Mr. Grannis as DEC Commissioner."

CANY is a newly formed statewide sportsmen's organization formed by sportsmen for sportsmen and sportswomen. Themission of CANY is to secure hunting, fishing, trapping, and other sustainable activities, which use New York's renewable natural resources, and to collaborate with others who share their vision.

Even the National Shooting Sports Foundation has voiced their concerns. According to NSSF, the trade association for the firearms industry, Grannis's voting record in the New York Assembly makes him unqualified for the position of DEC commissioner.

"During his tenure in the Assembly, Grannis sponsored and signed on to numerous anti-gun and anti-hunting bills, as well as legislation to outlaw trapping. Sportsmen cannot allow Grannis to become DEC commissioner, as he would have the legal authority and ability to impose, through regulations, his anti-hunting and anti-sportsmen agenda," said the NSSF.

AUBERTINE A SMARTER CHOICE

To date, Gov. Spitzer has made outstanding choices for various commissioner positions, but his hasty decision to choose Grannis puts a slight blemish on the governor's first months in office.

Personally, I would have rather seen Spitzer select north country Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, to head up DEC.

Aubertine would be a very popular choice among Empire State sportsman. He has an A-rating from the NRA and partakes in numerous outdoors activities like hunting and fishing.

Assemblyman Aubertine understands land and game management and how both interact with man.

I've personally seen and spoken with Aubertine at local deer management meetings. His involvement in developing, maintaining and creating more access to state recreation trails and his support to improving the state's snowmobile trails sets him apart from the anti-sportsman Grannis.

Unlike his Manhattan counterpart, Aubertine has introduced and supported numerous pro-sportsmen bills as well as being a big proponent for responsible ATV use.

But don't bet your last dollar Spitzer will change nominees.

Unfortunately, New York legislative history shows us that legislators generally support their own kind when nominated for a high-paying commissioner's post. So, the odds are in Grannis's favor, even though his nomination has been the most vitriolic in many years.

The NSSF is asking every concerned sportsman to call Senate Environmental Committee Chairman Carl Marcellino as well as local senators Wright and Griffo and ask them to oppose the confirmation of Pete Grannis as DEC commissioner. Senators can be contacted at 518-455-2800.