Permits and Licenses
Licenses
Have you ever wondered why you need a license to do some of your favorite outdoor activities? Fishing and hunting, as well as other outdoor sports and recreation, require careful management to strike a balance between supply and demand. History proves that the uncontrolled taking of fish and animals can cause the demise of a species. Wildlife biologists, armed with statistical data and habitat studies, can advise the public on the best practice to carry out these activities. Licensing is an effective way of exerting studied control on these activities and, at the same time, helps fund continued data collecting and research efforts.
In New York State, the licensing responsibility is part of the Department of Environmental Conservation's function. A variety of licenses are issued by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and the Division of Forest Protection. Some of the licenses are listed below:
Sporting Licenses
- Fishing
This northern pike from Cranberry
Lake definitely exceeds the
minimum length of 18 inches. - Hunting
- Trapping
- Lifetime Sporting
- Patriot Plan Sporting
Special Licenses
- Licensed Guide Program
- Special Licenses: including exotic animal permits and licenses, wildlife rehabilitator license, bait license, hatchery permit and many others.
Permits
Many permits are issued by the Department.
- Permits for land access, waste transportation, and several other programs are managed by several DEC divisions. Some of these are:
- Permits for most major environmental regulatory areas protecting New York's air, water, mineral, and biological resources are subject to the requirements of the Uniform Procedures Act and are managed by DEC's Division of Environmental Permits.
Wetland serves many functions. Not only
does it provide species habitat, it also
maintains water supply and quality; helps
prevent flood and erosion; provides
opportunity for recreation, research;
and is an important component of
biodiversity. In the process of applying for
a permit, the project manager describes the
methods and extents of construction so the
nearby wetland would not be disturbed.
Some of the common permits issued by the Department are listed below:
- Freshwater Wetlands, Tidal Wetlands, Protection of Waters Permits
- Mined Land Reclamation Permits
- State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES): for wastewater discharges to surface and groundwaters
- Air Facility Permits for emissions to the air
- Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Permits
- Water Withdrawal Permits
State Environmental Quality Review
New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) requires all state and local government agencies to consider environmental impacts equally with social and economic factors during discretionary decision-making. The agency receiving the application or directly involved with the project will determine the classification, the significance of the project and whether or not an Environmental Impact Statement is necessary. If a project is determined not to have significant adverse environmental impacts, a determination of nonsignificance (Negative Declaration) is prepared. If a project is determined to have potentially significant adverse environmental impacts, an "Environmental Impact Statement" is required to address the issues and to find possible solutions. The "decision making process" encourages communication among all involved government agencies, project sponsors and the general public.
Pesticide Registration, Permits and Certification
Pesticides are used to prevent, repel, destroy and mitigate any living organism that damages property, spreads diseases and is considered a nuisance in our daily life. Although pesticides are beneficial in improving the standards of living, there are also drawbacks, such as toxicity, to be considered. The Department is responsible for regulating the application of pesticide to safeguard the health and safety of the people, the environment and the non-targeted species.
- Registration: Businesses and agencies must register with the Department prior to pesticide application.
- Permits: A commercial permit is required for the sale of restricted use pesticides.
- Certification: Commercial pesticide applicators, technicians and private pesticide applicators must be trained, pass the examinations and be certified by the Department.
More about Permits and Licenses:
- Sporting Licenses - Information on hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, as well as information on the marine fishing registry.
- Special Licenses - Licenses for "special uses" of the fish and wildlife resource such as dangerous wildlife, exotic animal, wildlife rehabilitator and many others.
- Permits - General information and application guidance for DEC environmental permits, licenses, and registrations.
- SEQR - In New York State, most projects or activities proposed by a state agency or unit of local government, and all discretionary approvals (permits) from a NYS agency or unit of local government, require an environmental impact assessment as prescribed by the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR).
- Pesticide Certification and Business Registration - Standards and criteria for pesticide applicator certification, pesticide business registration for commercial application of pesticides, and commercial permits that are required for the sale of restricted use pesticides.
