By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – The director of the state Department of Fish and Game said he is staying on until at least June 5 in holdover status after a controversial vote by the Fish and Game Commission last September to not offer him another term.
Glenn Normandeau, who has held the post for the past 12 years, was to end his tenure with the state in March when his term ended.
On Wednesday, Normandeau responded to InDepthNH.org by email saying: “I have offered to stay on as director while the search for my successor at New Hampshire Fish and Game continues.”
The department’s important work continues, altered in some respects by the COVID-19 crisis, he said.
After a secret vote in September to not offer him a fourth, four-year term, a search committee was formed by the Fish and Game Commission to look for a new director. Gov. Chris Sununu has yet to nominate anyone for the post.
The position is appointed by the governor with the consent of the Fish and Game Commission. A meeting of that search committee was held privately last Thursday. No public statement was released from that meeting.
In October, the commission stated it was launching a nationwide search for a new director. The department’s job is to oversee the conservation and preservation of wildlife and fish and their habitats.
Normandeau said he would be willing to help the committee find someone for the job. He made that offer after criticizing the commission’s decision to not come to him with concerns about his tenure before voting in secret to not offer him another four-year term.
He blasted the commission at the Oct. 9 meeting, which met in Holderness at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center.
Chairman Robert “Moose” Phillipson of Cheshire County, said at that meeting: “We were requested by the governor to not say anything to you until it was done. The actual decision was made between you and the governor.”
Normandeau said that was not the case, that the actual decision was made by the commission. Phillipson said that was not true, referring to a meeting between Sununu and Normandeau where an exit plan was said to have been discussed.
Sununu said the decision was that of the commission.
“I think it is beneficial to maintain continuity at the agency not only as we work our way through the current COVID-19 situation but understanding that we are already beginning work on the next biennial budget, which is bound to be impacted by the effect the virus is having on our economy,” Normandeau said.
Many of those who work at Fish and Game headquarters are now working from home while conservation officers continue to respond to requests for assistance and for law enforcement purposes, he said.
Much of the focus normally at this time of year is on the fishing season and Normandeau said that search and rescue missions are currently no more frequent than usual.
“At such time as a new director is brought on I will do my best to assist in the transition to make it as seamless as possible,” he said.
As to the current COVID-19 crisis, he said Fish and Game continues its mission to conserve fish and wildlife while creating opportunities for the people of New Hampshire to use and appreciate these resources.
“We have had to cut back considerably on the face-to-face educational components of our programs but our boat access sites and wildlife management areas continue to be open to the public, spring turkey season will begin on May 1, and we are stocking trout waters as usual in the spring,” Normandeau said.
A major construction project for Lake Winnipesaukee is underway in Alton, which will help improve public boat access, he said.
Normandeau concluded by asking people to “be safe and practice ‘social distancing’ but get out there and enjoy our woods and waters.”
Many employees of the department signed a petition asking for Normandeau to be kept on for another term, as the department deals with a continuing lack of resources.
The commissioners are Paul Debow of Grafton County, Bruce Temple of Sullivan County, Fred Bird of Strafford County, Paul McInnis, of the Seacoast, Christopher Hodgdon of Merrimack County, Christina Luppi of Rockingham County, David Patch of Carroll County, Eric Stohl of Coos County, Ray Green of Hillsborough County, and Marc LaChance of Belknap County and Robert Phillipson of Cheshire County.
Heading up the new director’s search committee is Eric Stohl.
To see the job description and the search committee’s public communication on the subject, visit https://nhfishgame.com/2019/12/06/executive-director-position-posted/