PRESS RELEASE
January 4, 2008

Legislators Concerned with Effects of Crow Viral Infection

Rensselaer County Legislators Jim Brearton and Laura Bauer say they are concerned about reports of a viral infection affecting crows in areas of upstate New York and want federal and state authorities to any necessary steps to protect the county.

Brearton and Bauer said they are concerned about possible impacts to the environment and quality of life in Rensselaer County because of the large numbers of crows that flock to downtown Troy at various times of the year. While officials say the viral infection is not believed to be dangerous to humans, there is concern about related environmental problems, including spread of the infection of other wildlife.

The two legislators said they would like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state Department of Environmental Conservation to increase monitoring of the crows and any impacts associated with the viral outbreak. Brearton and Bauer have asked the county Environmental Management Council to contact federal and state authorities to provide monitor areas of the county to ensure there are no problems associated with the viral outbreak in the crows.

“There is the chance this outbreak could spread to other wildlife, cause other environmental problems and quality of life issues for the people of the county. We would like to see the feds and the state step in and monitor the situation,” said Brearton, who is chairman of the Legislature’s Health Committee.

The two legislators said the crow outbreak is just another example why federal and state authorities need to take comprehensive action to deal with the problem of crow over-crowding in Troy. Republican legislators have repeatedly asked the USDA to effectively deal with crow issue because of concerns over health and quality of life issues.

“We have asked repeatedly over the years for the feds to remove this problem from our county. Now there are new concerns because of this viral outbreak, and those concerns stems from a failure to deal with crow overpopulation,” said Bauer, who is a member of the Legislature’s Environmental Committee.

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