DEP's FISH AND WILDLIFE DIRECTOR NAMED
(07/01) TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine has approved
the appointment of veteran wildlife conservationist David Chanda
to serve as Director of the Department of Environmental Protection's
Division of Fish and Wildlife, DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson
announced today.
"I am confident that he will fulfill the duties and responsibilities
of this position with competence and integrity," Gov. Corzine
said in a letter notifying Commissioner Jackson of his decision
to approve the New Jersey Fish and Game Council's unanimous appointment.
"During his 26-year tenure with the DEP, Dave has established
himself as a highly skilled professional. His experience, expertise
and commitment to conservation will further advance our efforts
to offer all New Jersey residents and visitors world-class wildlife
recreation," Commissioner Jackson said.
As director, Chanda will lead nearly 280 full-time employees responsible
for managing more than 800 species of fish and wildlife in New Jersey.
He will oversee the Division's $20-million budget as well as coordinate
management and research programs for the state's inland wildlife,
endangered species, shellfisheries, and freshwater and marine fisheries.
Further, Chanda will head the Division's work in law enforcement,
health and forensics, conservation education, environmental review
and land management.
A native New Jerseyan, Chanda earned a bachelor's degree in Fish
and Wildlife Management and a master's degree in Public Administration
from Rutgers University. He joined the DEP in 1980 as an assistant
biologist in the Division's Wildlife Education Unit, and later served
as a deputy conservation officer; chief of the Division's Office
of Wildlife Education and Information; and assistant director of
the Division's bureaus of Wildlife Management, Law Enforcement,
Land Management, Freshwater Fisheries Management and Marine Fisheries
Administration, among other positions.
Chanda resides in Long Valley with his wife and three children.
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