2009 Report to NYS Conservation Council from Division of Operations

Division Mission: Provide technical services, facilities management, and maintenance of physical assets to ensure effective and efficient operation of the Department and safe public use of DEC lands and facilities.

Connect New Yorkers to Nature

Provide Recreational Opportunities:

The Belleayre Mountain Ski Center had a solid year, hosting over 155,000 skiers during the 08-09 season.

The Bureau of Recreation's 52 campgrounds and 7 day use areas were enjoyed by over 1,500,000 visitors during the summer of 2008. This number is down from the previous year by approximately 200,000 visitors. The 2009 season appears to be slightly ahead of 2008 in attendance.

Advance the Catskill and Five Rivers Interpretive Center Projects:

Proposals for design and engineering services for both centers were reviewed and consultant teams were selected in June 2008 and the design work is proceeding.

Enhance Department Facilities:

The restoration of the historic Crown Point Pier and Crown Point Lighthouse were both completed providing fishing and viewing access to Lake Champlain. Roads were paved at Buck Pond, Hearthstone and Woodland Valley campgrounds and the Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area.

Construction of the Indian Lake Campground BLS is now complete. Regulatory approval is anticipated for the City of Plattsburgh BLS and the Hudson River at Moreau BLS. Contracts are in the award process for Boat Launch Sites at the Raquette River (Crusher) BLS and Mattituck Creek BLS. Design is complete for the Chittning Pond Fishing Pier and Balsam Pond BLS, construction will proceed pending funding availability. Design drawings have been completed for the Towns of Lewiston and Wilson BLS.

At Belleayre Mountain, work has been completed on the new Maintenance Center Building. Work is being completed on the Adaptive Snowsports Building which will house special equipment to take snowsports to the next level of accessibility. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Unit Management Plan is being completed for the expansion of Belleayre Ski Center in conjunction with the Crossroads Venture Development.

Construction of shower buildings is complete at the new Scaroon Manor and at Meacham Lake. The Rollins Pond electrical system replacement has been completed. Installation of new sewage lift stations has been completed at Golden Beach and Moffitt Beach. Design work for additional sewage work has been completed at both campgrounds. New Water System Controls have been installed at Wilson Park and Woodland Valley. Construction of a new shower building is underway at Little Sand Point with completion in late spring 2010. Designs have been completed for a Caretakers Cabin and Garage at Scaroon Manor. Regulatory approval is anticipated to proceed with a shoreline stabilization project in the Fish Creek for construction in Fall 2010. All projects done by the division incorporate design elements to be accessible.

Environmental Education:

A cooperative agreement is being developed with the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation to establish Camp Berle within the Harriman State Park. Design work and preliminary site preparations are proceeding to open this new Environmental Education Facility.

Design work was completed for improvements to the State Fair Grounds DEC Exhibit.

Safeguard New York's Unique Natural Assets

Reconstruct Dams:

Perch River WMA Dam modifications are complete to provide an adjustable outlet structure to be able to manage water levels. Reconstruction of two deficient dams at Little Pond Campground is completed. Construction is beginning to breach the deficient dam at Calico Pond in the Gee Brook State Forest. Clear Pond Fish Barrier Dam design is substantially complete. Preliminary design evaluations were completed for Duck Hole, Fiver Rivers, St Francis, Trout Pond and Big Pond Dams.

The rehabilitation of McGregor Dam, Clinton County, continues with construction completion scheduled for October 2009.

Invasive Species:

Job Order Contracting was utilized to respond quickly to remove seven trees infected with oak wilt disease that were discovered in Scotia, Schenectady County. An additional sixty-seven oak trees were removed to create a buffer to ensure the disease was contained.

All campgrounds are being inspected annually by staff for early detection of invasive terrestrial plants and then followed up by eradication. Information kiosks and invasive species drop boxes were constructed and installed this season at boat launch sites throughout the state. Staff participated in the drafting of a regulation to prevent the spread of invasive species caused by the transport of firewood. Campground staff have received awareness training and are distributing information to campers about the dangers of moving firewood.

Fish Hatchery Improvements:

The permanent pump has been installed in the new well at Salmon River. The Rome Fish Hatchery Pond Cover to stop bird predation has been completed. Bids were received in August for a new Rearing Building at the Rome Fish Hatchery. Construction will begin this fall.

Habitat Improvement:

Design work is progressing for the Tallapoosa and Turtle Cove wetland improvement projects within the Pelham Bay Park in NYC.

Flood Control:

New control systems including remote monitoring capability has been added at the Kingston and Rosendale Flood Protection Projects.

Work for Environmental Justice

Grants Program:

Staff reviewed EJ Community Impact Grant Program applications to award funding to community organizations to address environmental and human health impacts in their neighborhoods.

Combat Climate Change

Climate Registry:

The Department has joined the Carbon Registry as a founding reporter in New York. Our Division is working with the DEC Office of Climate Change to benchmark our carbon footprint and report to the Registry. We will be using this data to analyze our carbon contributions, identify additional reduction opportunities, and further reduce our carbon footprint.

Reduce Carbon Footprint:

The Division of Operations is taking action to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions of our infrastructure. We are performing comprehensive energy audits of our facilities, and performing capital improvement projects to reduce both energy consumption and emissions.

Partnerships and the Public

Energy Efficiency:

The Division of Operations is actively working with numerous State Agencies to promote energy efficiency, combat climate change and increase sustainable operations across the State. We have representatives on several interagency teams including: the Advisory Council on Energy Efficiency for Executive Order 111, the Interagency Committee on Sustainability and Green Procurement for Executive Order 4, the Green Building Collaborative and others.

Education:

We place a high value on public education in all of our environmental sustainability efforts. Our LEED rated green buildings are equipped with educational displays highlighting the building's green features and promoting public sustainability. We are assisting other Departmental Programs in developing various education opportunities at the State Fair and at our Education Centers. The Division of Operations has reached out to local colleges, including HVCC and RPI, to establish a solid connection and work together on projects focusing on alternative energy and high efficiency lighting.

Sustainability of DEC's Own Operations

Building Sustainability:

The expansion and renovation of the Warrensburg Regional Sub-office received LEED Gold certification. New construction and substantial renovation projects are designed and constructed to green building standards. We currently have eight such projects in design, under construction or completed that are expected to attain LEED status. These buildings are designed to use substantially less energy and have a lower carbon footprint than conventional buildings.

Increase the Fuel Efficiency of DEC's Fleet:

We are working to minimize the carbon footprint of DEC's fleet through the following actions:

As much as possible, alternative-fueled (hybrid, flex fuel, electric) vehicles are purchased. There are currently over 500 alternative fueled vehicles in the Department's Fleet. Taking steps to insure that appropriate-sized vehicles are purchased. Focus is placed on purchasing fuel efficient vehicles and large capacity vehicles need to be justified. Expanding the use of biodiesel fuel at DEC facilities. All DEC facilities that have diesel fuel tanks to support their vehicles are using B-5 or B-20 biodiesel if it is locally available. Action is underway to retrofit DEC's heavy-duty diesel vehicles with the best available technology for reducing emissions. This effort is expected to be complete by the end of 2010. We are currently using over 60 Neighborhood Electric Vehicles at our campground facilities.

Energy Conservation:

We are continuing to work with Authorities and Utilities to implement peak-load reduction programs. Advanced monitoring systems, on-site renewable power systems and emergency power reduction programs are being installed or implemented.

State Land Access:

Design and construction of two bridges in the Perkins Clearing Conservation Easement was completed. Vehicle Bridge designs were completed for Fish Creek Bridge in the Crogan Tract Easement and Alder Brook Bridge in the Santa Clara Tract. Construction will begin this fall. Deer River Culvert replacement design was completed. Design is progressing for the Long Pond State Forest. Wilmington Notch Campground bridge was completed. Mossy Vly site at Perkins Clearing utilizing the Forest Preserve Design will be constructed this fall.

Santanoni Historic Area:

Reconstruction of a historic stone arch culvert into the historic Santanoni Farm will be completed this fall.

Fire Towers:

Mt Adams Fire Tower analysis was completed. The Beacon Hill Fire Tower was inspected.

Sustainable Operations:

Division staff are participating on the Department's internal Sustainability Work Group. This is a multi-disciplinary group charged with increasing sustainable operations and outreach of our Department. The Division of Operations co-chairs this team, and plays an active role in its ongoing success in "greening" our infrastructure and Programs.