Public Involvement and News
You have a role in protecting the state's environment. If you want to take action, keep informed or let us know your opinion, use the links on this page.
Have a Question?
The Get Answers page will help you know who to contact.
Make Your Voice Heard
Public programs work best when the public understands their purpose and function and when we have the benefit of your feedback. Visit the Help Us Make Decisions page to learn about opportunities for public input.
Make a Difference
- Our Make A Difference page has tips on living in a more sustainable way.
- Interested in volunteering? There are many volunteer opportunities with DEC depending on your interests and abilities.
- Want to work for DEC? Visit the Employment page
Find Out What's Happening
- The Events Calendar has listings and descriptions of all of DEC's public meetings,hearings and events across the state.
- The News page will keep you up to date on DEC's initiatives, new regulations, top issues, public safety alerts and more.
Public Access to DEC Documents and Other Information
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
Citizens may receive DEC records upon request. If a document cannot be released through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), an explanation will be provided.
For more information on how to file a FOIL request or to see the archive of DEC's FOIL appeal determinations see the "Get Answers" link on the left. Also linked from the FOIL page is a full electronic archive of DEC's FOIL appeal determinations since 2004.
Assistance From DEC
- Grants - for projects that improve the environment to municipalities, community organizations, not-for-profit organizations and others.
- Programs for Businesses - New York Environmental Leaders, Environmetal Management System.
- Green Building Tax Credits - An overview of the state tax credit for the years 2001 - 2009.
- Programs for Schools - Resources for schools, teacher and students. See the Education page.
- Programs for Property Owners - Help with managing and protecting your woodlands, planting trees along Hudson River tributaries, protecting and enhancing important grassland habitats, bog turtle habitat protection.
How to Find Your Local DEC Office
In addition to the Central Office in Albany, DEC has nine regional offices that provide information and assistance to residents of the counties within each region. Use the links below to get the address and contact information for your DEC regional office.
Region 1 (Long Island): Nassau and Suffolk counties
Region 2 (New York City): Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Region 3 (Lower Hudson Valley):Sullivan, Ulster, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.
Region 4 (Capitol Region):Montgomery, Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, Schenectady, Albany, Greene, Rensselaer and Columbia counties.
Region 5 (Eastern Adirondacks): Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, Saratoga and Washington counties.
Region 6 (Western Adirondacks): Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Oneida and Herkimer counties
Region 7 (Central New York): Oswego, Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Tioga and Broome counties
Region 8 (Rochester/Western Finger Lakes): Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca, Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung counties
Region 9 (Western New York): Niagara, Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties
More about Public Involvement and News:
- Events Calendar - Online calendar of events, workshops, hearings, and meetings open to the public and sponsored by DEC.
- Environmental Stimulus Funding For New York - information on how DEC is using stimulus money for environmental projects.
- Get Answers - Frequently used contact information for all divisions of DEC. How to make a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request and archives of previous FOIL requests.
- Help Us Make Decisions - Opportunities to provide input on proposed regulations,view permit applications,learn about hearings and important meetings and to become involved in the State Environmental Quality Review.
- Make a Difference - Quick tips and advice on environment-friendly living.
- News - Press releases, public safety alerts,awards,online newsletters and the Environmental Notice Bulletin.
- Environmental Justice - The Environmental Justice Program focuses on improving the environment in communities, specifically minority and low-income communities, and addressing disproportionate adverse environmental impacts that may exist in those communities.
- Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) - Publishes weekly on Wednesdays
