Chemical and Pollution Control

Chemical and pollution control is at the core of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) mission, to protect New York's natural resources and our environment. Through the promotion of environmentally sound use of products, including chemicals and pesticides; environmental cleanup and monitoring programs; and effective laws and regulations, DEC enhances the health, safety and welfare of the people of New York.

Help for Businesses

Help for Businesses has information for businesses and organizations that need help complying with environmental laws and obtaining necessary permits
Permits discusses how to file for a permit and provides the necessary forms
Who to contact with questions about permits

Air Pollution

Pollutants emitted from tall stacks can
travel miles and cause harm to human
health and our environment.

There are many different sources that contribute to air pollution, which negatively affect public health and the environment. DEC carries out both the state and federal air pollution control and monitoring programs, which help control emissions of pollutants as well as measure and monitor ambient pollutant levels.

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring - program to track air quality, measures air pollutants at more than 80 sites across the state, using continuous and/or manual instrumentation.
Air Program Forms and Instructions - forms for: Facility Registration; Facility Permits; Emission Reduction Credits; Budget Trading Programs; and others available for download.

Water Pollution

Stormwater is water from rain or
melting snow that doesn't soak into
the ground.

Water pollution happens when contaminants are released into water bodies without proper treatment. As a result, pollutants that enter our lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater can harm the public and the environment. DEC administers programs and conducts training and outreach, that help control water pollution from all sources to protect and enhance New York's natural resources.

Stormwater - controlling pollution in stormwater; information for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s); training; and permits.
Wastewater Facility Operators - links to contacts, training, certification, regulatory updates and more.

Waste Management

Hazardous Waste Management - DEC regulates all aspects of hazardous waste management in the state, including: generators; transporters; and treatment, storage and disposal facilities. It includes the Used Oil Program and Universal Waste Program.
Materials Management Program - provides technical and regulatory assistance, facility inspection, compliance and permitting, product stewardship, and recycling education and outreach.

Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields

brownfield site showing an abandoned building

Brownfield sites can pose environmental,
legal and financial burdens on a community
and its taxpayers.

Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields homepage with links to New York State cleanup news, events, programs, sites and where to find more information.
Brownfield Cleanup Program - supports private-sector cleanups of brownfields.
State Superfund Program (SSF) (Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Remedial Program ) - characterizes suspected inactive hazardous waste disposal sites and investigates and remediates those sites which pose a significant threat to public health or the environment.
Petroleum and Chemical Spills - cleanup of accidental releases of petroleum, toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.

Pest Management Program

DEC regulates the use of pesticides and is responsible for compliance assistance and public outreach activities to ensure enforcement of state pesticide laws. DEC also conducts general pest management outreach.

Draft Long Island Pesticide Pollution Prevention Strategy - NYSDEC has released for public comment a Draft Strategy, which contains the blueprint for a pesticide pollution prevention approach on Long Island. The goal of the Strategy is to protect water quality from pesticide-related contamination, while continuing effective pest management on Long Island.
Be Green Great Lakes (GL) Project - An education and outreach program on alternative land care practices for the Great Lakes Basin.
The Land Care and Pest Management Practices brochure (PDF) 539 KB, provides tips on alternative pest and land management practices--part of preventing pesticide pollution in the Great Lakes Basin. Take the DEC survey on residential lawn care practices (see "Links leaving DEC's Website" at right).
Questions and Answers Regarding the Pest Management Program - topics include: pesticide product labels, commercial lawn applications and many more.
Pest Management Program Forms - a compilation of various forms used in the Pest Management Program, including the Certified Applicator/Technician Application for Photo ID Card form.

More about Chemical and Pollution Control:

Air - Information on air pollution in New York State
Acid Rain - The New York State's Atmospheric Deposition Monitoring Network measures acid deposition, its precursors and related factors to establish the effectiveness of current sulfur control policy and other strategies aimed at reducing the effects of acid rain.

Water - List of Impaired Waters (303 D); Federal Clean Water Act Assessment and Listing Methodology; Stormwater; Wastewater Treatment; Wastewater Facility Operators; Discharge Monitoring Report Manual; Water Quality Monitoring/Assessment; Sewers; prescription disposal

Environmental Cleanup & Brownfields - NY's brownfields programs spurs cleanup and redevelopment of idle or underutilized contaminated properties through financial assistance to municipalities, liability releases and indemnification
Chemical and Petroleum Storage - Chemical and Petroleum Bulk Storage in New York. Information on the regulatory programs and requirements for bulk storage of petroleum and chemicals in New York State
Radiation - Description of radiation program
Waste Management - Information on all aspects of solid and hazardous waste management in the State.

Recycling and Composting - Waste Reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and product stewardship program main page.
Pest Management - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is the designated agency in New York State to regulate pesticides and is responsible for compliance assistance and public outreach activities to ensure enforcement of State pesticide laws.
Mercury - Because mercury is one of the most serious environmental contaminants, the Pollution Prevention Unit works to reduce uses and environmental releases of mercury

Help for Businesses - DEC programs to help businesses prevent pollution in their daily operations