History, Natural History & the Arts
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs). [Read more…] about Deer Poachers Keep Environmental Conservation Police Busy
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Climber Falls 50′, Alcohol Poisoning, More Keep Rangers Busy
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced six “first day” hikes planned for January 1st, 2022, in DEC’s Region 5, which includes the Central and Eastern Adirondacks. The walks and hikes are family-friendly and range from 1.5 to five miles round trip. [Read more…] about Guided ‘First Day’ Hikes in the Adirondacks
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reminded New Yorkers that the State’s ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and ‘packing peanuts’ begins January 1st, 2022.
While an estimated 65 percent of New Yorkers are living in communities that have already banned polystyrene, New York’s statewide ban on polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging is among the first in the nation. DEC and partners continue outreach efforts to advise affected entities about the ban, particularly sellers and distributors of disposable food service containers, such as retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, and schools. [Read more…] about Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Starts January 1
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced proposed changes to the State’s regulations for the clean-up of contaminated sites.
The proposals are available for public comment until April 21, 2022, and would create new cleanup standards for the oversight of the emerging contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonate (PFOS), and affect the implementation of the State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, State Superfund and other cleanup programs. [Read more…] about DEC Plans Changes to Superfund, Brownfield Cleanup Regs
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Lost Hiker at Breakneck Ridge, Debris Fire in Brookhaven
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the amendment of the Kildare Conservation Easement and the Five Mile Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plans (RMPs) to include new opportunities for public access to recreation in the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about New Road To Open Access To St. Lawrence County Wild Areas
Online registration for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) 2022 Summer Camp program will open Sunday, March 6th, 2022, at 1 pm.
To celebrate 75 years, DEC’s Summer Camps program will host a series of events and share mementos, including retro logos incorporated into camper shirts, special recognition certificates, and a camp celebration each Saturday during the season. Past campers, families, sponsors, and staff will also have an opportunity to take a stroll down memory lane at their favorite camps. [Read more…] about DEC’s Summer Environmental Summer Camp Registration Opens March 6th
Safety is essential during ice fishing season and anglers should make sure the ice is thick enough before venturing out.
Four inches of solid clear ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. Ice thickness can vary from waterbody to waterbody and even within the same waterbody. [Read more…] about Safely Ice Fishing This Winter
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has organized a working group to assist the department in revising and amending a series of policies for New York State Forest Preserve trails stewardship. The DEC organized this working group through the membership of the longstanding Forest Preserve Advisory Committee (FPAC). The working group includes members from trails building organizations, local government, and the environmental community.
The Department stressed that this is a unified management effort for the entire Forest Preserve, and the working group includes members from the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. [Read more…] about Peter Bauer: DEC’s Revised Approach to Forest Preserve Long Overdue