ESFPA E-News

Court Overturns DEC's Freshwater Wetlands Regulations (Maybe)

Last week the Albany County Supreme Court issued a decision annulling DEC's Freshwater Wetland regulations adopted in December 2024. In a case brought forth by the Business Council of New York and several development interests, Albany County Supreme Court Justice Richard Platkin found that DEC did not take the necessary "hard look" under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and ordered that "regulations promulgated as 6 NYCRR Part 664 are ANNULED in their entirety for non-compliance with SEQRA, and such regulations are null and void".

On four other technical grounds the challenges to the wetland regulations were denied.

The State has thirty days from the April 8^th decision to appeal and seek a stay from the annulment. In the meantime, DECs regulations remain in effect and could remain in effect if a stay is granted while a decision is appealed. It is expected that the State will appeal.

This sounds like a victory, although the decision is based on process not substance, and DEC is likely to appeal and redo the SEQRA process and refile the regulations. Here is a link to the court decision and we will keep track of the appeal process and status of DEC's regulations.

DEC Proposes Antlerless Deer Management Regulatory Changes

DEC recently proposed several regulation changes to increase harvest of antlerless deer by hunters. These proposed actions are intended to improve DEC’s ability to manage deer populations to help ensure a healthy herd while also preventing potential increases in deer-vehicle collisions, reduced forest regeneration, and other negative impacts of deer overabundance. Here is a link to DEC's press release, and here is a link to the proposed rulemaking.

In addition to these proposed regulatory changes, legislation (A. 10633 Hunter/S. 9462 Harckham) introduced by Assemblywoman Hunter and Senator Harckham would amend the ECL to authorize DEC to issue Deer Management Permits for Wildlife Management Units within the Northern Zone. For years, DEC has not been able to issue DMPs in the Northern Zone to manage antlerless deer in most of the Northern Zone, and this legislation would authorize DEC to do that based on biologic surveys done by the Department.

ESFPA is currently taking input from members on both the regulatory changes and on the proposed legislation as to whether we support these proposals. Our current thoughts are yes, we will support both proposals. Please let us know ASAP if you have any concerns about these proposals.

Grisham House Buys Majority Interest in Molpus Woodlands

Gresham House is acquiring a majority interest in US timberland investment manager Molpus Woodlands. The transaction marks the first US corporate acquisition for specialist alternatives manager Gresham House, combining the firm’s $5bn (€4.4bn) of forestry assets under management (AUM) with the $3bn forestry AUM of Mississippi-based Molpus Woodlands. Together, the firms will form the third-largest timberland investment manager globally by AUM, managing over 2.2m acres with operations spanning the UK, Ireland, US, Australia and New Zealand. Molpus owns just under 250,000 acres of forest in northern New York.

Tony Dalwood, Chief Executive Officer of Gresham House, said:” The acquisition of Molpus Woodlands Group will significantly expand our global client offering and deepen our investment and operational capabilities. The combined business will provide an exciting opportunity for our investors to gain exposure to the US market in key areas like timberland, afforestation, reforestation, carbon credits and land optimization. 

“The Molpus team is an ideal complement to our core values, deeply entrenched culture, and leading sustainable investment strategies, including energy transition and infrastructure, where we are market leaders.”

Dalwood added that as natural capital increasingly becomes a component of global asset allocation, “we seek to continue to build a differentiated, global platform with the necessary scale, capability and ambition to support our clients’ evolving needs”.

Terrell Winstead, president of Molpus Woodlands, said: “We are excited to join the Gresham House team. From the outset, it has been clear that there is a strong alignment of cultures, vision and ambition between our two organizations.

Last Chance to Register for Nobody Gets Left in the Woods Event

Nobody Gets Left in the Woods: A Safety Network for Forest Workers

• Location: 4-H Camp Shankitunk, 2420 Arbor Hill Rd, Delhi, NY 13753
• Date/Time: Friday, Apr 17 from 9am to 12pm
• Cost: $15
• SAF Credit Available

Forest work can be intense with rough terrain, weather, and no cell service. Are you prepared? What’s in your vest? Hear from a panel of professional foresters about the necessities we often overlook when entering the forest for a day’s work. We’ll begin in the classroom with light refreshments and a presentation. Afterwards, we’ll walk in the Lennox Model Forest to discuss further awareness for woodland work.

Learn about the new initiative “Nobody Gets Left in the Woods”, a network of foresters working towards awareness of the challenges being forest workers, maintaining a safe workday, and positive mental health. Too often, we mourn the loss of forest workers. Let’s come together as an industry and make sure everyone makes it out of the woods.

Sales end on Apr 15, 2026.

Register through the link below: