History of DEC

During the nineteenth century, old attitudes about nature and the environment began to change. People began to set aside ideas of how they could conquer nature and instead began to think about how they could nurture and preserve it. This growing awareness took hold in New York State as well, and led to the formation of what might be considered the seminal environmental programs that DEC still runs today.

In 1885, the New York State Legislature established the Forest Preserve of New York State, setting aside land in the Adirondacks and Catskills to be protected as "forever wild" and establishing regulations and guidelines for use of lands not so classified. The year 1885 also marks the beginning of the forest ranger service in New York State.

In 1895, the Fisheries, Game and Forest Commission was formed to take on functions related to fish and game regulations, hunting seasons, and poaching. The Commission became the Conservation Department in 1927. The Conservation Department became one of the forerunners of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation when it was formed in 1970.

DEC's First Year

During the 1960s, changing public attitudes and the availability of scientific information that hinted at man's effects, intended and unintended, on the environment led to the realization that government had a strong role to play in preserving resources and keeping the environment healthy. This expanded sense of awareness and responsibility led directly to the establishment of DEC in 1970.

On April 22, 1970-the first Earth Day-legislation was signed creating the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation-one of the first government agencies specifically formed for the purpose of overseeing all environmental concerns through one organization. The legislation provided for a melding of the duties of the old Conservation Department, with responsibility for some programs from the Department of Health and some state commissions to DEC, and the creation of entirely new disciplines within the agency.

DEC opened its doors on July 1, 1970, and immediately began to wrestle with the urgent problems of the day-such as pesticides, mercury pollution, solid waste, and recreational access-and with the need to create an organization structured to deliver services across the state.

The 1970s

Environmental Quality

During the 1970s, DEC not only assumed responsibility for existing water quality programs, such as water treatment plants, but was in the forefront of creating programs to deal with emerging and developing issues like air pollution and solid and hazardous waste. Highlights of DEC's accomplishments on behalf of environmental quality issues during the 1970s include:

New York drafts first State Implementation Plan. This is a comprehensive document showing how the state plans to clean up air pollution, fulfilling requirements of Federal Clean Air Act of 1977.
Air pollution controls are established on various industrial sources, and automobile emissions standards are put in place for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, leading to marked improvements in air quality.
DEC plays an important role in 1978 Love Canal public health emergency in Niagara Falls. The discovery and ultimate cleanup of this area focused the attention of the state and the nation on dangers related to hazardous wastes and their disposal.
DEC moves to prevent General Electric Company from discharging PCBs into the Hudson River. In later years, DEC would take part in proposing a remedial plan to remove and treat PCBs from the river.
The State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) was created to help control wastewater discharges to the waters of New York State.

Natural Resources

During the 1970s, important steps were taken in planning for, and acquiring land to be protected, and forming relationships among government agencies and between government and private sector entities to cooperatively improve the environment.

The first New York State endangered species list is created and the Endangered Plants Law passes, protecting rare and endangered plants in New York State.
DEC works with Vermont and Quebec to restore salmonid fisheries in Lake Champlain, legalizes sport falconry, reintroduces fisher into Catskills, begins bald eagle restoration and re-establishes turkeys in parts of the state.
The Adirondack State Land Master Plan approved, forming a blueprint for how this section of the state will be protected and preserved for future generations.
During the 1970s, roughly 134,000 acres of land were purchased by the state or otherwise protected. Highlights include: 12,500-acre Santanoni Preserve; 7,100 acres in Long Island Pine Barrens; 9,182 acres including 12 Adirondack Peaks with an easement on another 7,000 acres.
DEC establishes a statewide urban forestry program, promoting education and planting of trees to improve the habitat in urban areas.
Environmental Education centers at Rushford, Colby and DeBruce complete and surpass 30 years of educational programming. In addition, the Five Rivers Center in Delmar is dedicated.

Legislation and Funding

Important legislation was passed during the 1970s and long-term funding sources for environmental purposes began to be created:

Voters approved the 1972 Environmental Quality Bond Act for land acquisition, solid waste aid, sewage treatment, air pollution control and resource recovery.
The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) was passed. This legislation required expanded levels of environmental review for actions of state and local government.
The Mined Land Reclamation Law is passed. This legislation requires restoration of land after mining operations cease, thereby making unproductive lands productive again.
The Forest Tax Law passes; provides tax breaks to landowners who actively manage land for wood production.
The Freshwater Wetlands Act is passed. This law protects freshwater wetlands, in recognition of their important role in surface and ground water quality, flood and erosion control and fish and wildlife habitat.

The 1980s

Environmental Quality

Expanded attention is focused on environmental areas that were hardly even considered in prior decades; hazardous wastes and the larger issues created by solid wastes being among them. Highlights include:

DEC is given authority to regulate storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes and the location of future hazardous waste facilities. The agency is also given the authority to oversee inactive hazardous waste sites.
DEC assumes the responsibility for the oil and hazardous substance spill program from DOT and sets up a statewide, toll-free information line for spill reporting.
DEC publishes first Quarterly Status Report of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites. This document describes the status of enforcement actions, site investigation, remedial design and construction for each site listed across the state.
New York State ends operation of low-level radioactive waste disposal site in West Valley, the only commercial radioactive disposal waste burial site in the state.
DEC facilities at Whiteface Mountain and Mt. Van Hoevenberg host 1980 Winter Olympics. During the Olympics, ECOs perform security details and DEC personnel work to minimize impact to the environment.
DEC drafts regulations specifying water quality standards for 95 toxic chemicals, and specifies how petroleum bulk storage facilities should be sited, built, monitored and shut down.
DEC issues its New York State Solid Waste Management Plan detailing how recycling, source separation and closure of landfills will take place in New York State.
Deposits are now required on beverage containers-the "Bottle Bill."
DEC requires that gasoline vapors be recovered during refueling at service stations and that low-volatility gasoline be marketed statewide during the summer.

Natural Resources

DEC continued its tradition of excellence in forestry, fish and wildlife and related programs. Highlights include:

DEC publishes Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. This document gives an account of species of birds observed to be breeding in the state and their numbers and distribution.
During the 1980s, about 250,000 acres of land were acquired or otherwise protected. Highlights include: the purchase of 4,163 acres from Camp Harriman; acquisition of Tivoli Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve; acquisition of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain; receipt of Reinstein Woods in western NY as a gift; Sloop Hill in Orange County; 14,400 acres of land and 40,000 acres of easements on Diamond International lands in Adirondacks, and 341 acres of Barcelona Neck on Long Island Sound.
DEC opens Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Oswego County to raise Pacific salmon and steelhead trout for stocking in Lake Ontario, modernizes other fish hatcheries to increase production.
Return A Gift to Wildlife program enables New Yorkers to contribute voluntarily to DEC's Conservation Fund through personal tax returns.
DEC adopts Catskill Park State Land Master Plan.

Legislation and Funding

During the 1980s, a new bond act is passed, which provides funding for DEC to continue its work primarily in land acquisition and waste management. In addition, several important pieces of legislation are passed that build upon environmental progress made in the 1970s:

The Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1986 passes, providing $1.2 billion to remediate hazardous waste sites and $250 million to acquire parks and other environmentally sensitive lands.
The Omnibus Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Law passes. This legislation regulates oil and gas drilling and production across New York State.
The Hazardous Waste Remedial Fund legislation increases criminal sanctions for violations and establishes a fund to supplement federal Superfund money in site cleanups.
The Solid Waste Management Act establishes the Office of Recovery, Recycling and Reuse in DEC. It also provides grant funds for municipal solid waste projects and recycling programs.

The Early 1990s

Environmental Quality

Emphasis begins to shift from almost exclusively large-scale programs and efforts to education and programs constructed for small-scale operations and the average citizen. In addition, expanding environmental awareness begins to emphasize prevention of pollution, rather than just cleanup. Highlights include:

DEC establishes Pollution Prevention Unit to plan, monitor, manage and coordinate ways to encourage business and industry to prevent pollution at its source.
DEC presents first Annual Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards in 1994.
A consent order requires New York City to clean up, improve operations and submit a Part 360 application to operate Fresh Kills Landfill; at this time the largest landfill in the country.
Between 1984-1994 the number of active landfills in New York State were reduced from more than 500 to about 50.
DEC signs Memorandum of Understanding with New York City to form the basis for protecting the watershed that the City relies on for clean water.
DEC receives $2.7 million grant to coordinate remedial activities for Onondaga Lake.
DEC starts the Voluntary Cleanup Program to encourage private parties to voluntarily clean up hazardous waste sites in which they were involved.
DEC approves Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for cleanup of Long Island Sound. State of Connecticut and EPA adopt it shortly afterwards.
New York State adopts California's stringent vehicle emissions standards. In addition, federal Clean Air Act Amendments require DEC to bring air quality for entire state to EPA standards, and to control urban smog, acid rain, toxics and stack emission pollution.

Natural Resources

New ways of using technology and new ways of looking at the relationship between habitat, land, and the animals and plants that use them enable DEC to continue to build on its tradition of excellent programs in the natural resources area.

During the period 1990-1995, DEC was instrumental in acquiring or otherwise protecting about 100,000 acres of land: Highlights include:10,000 acres of land protected in the Mongaup Valley Bald Eagle wintering habitat; 20,000 acres of recreation and development rights next to Cranberry Lake Wild Forest; 2,093 acres added to the Neversink Gorge Unique Area; 237 acres next to the Howland Island Wildlife Management Area; acquisition of fishing rights to 14 miles of the Salmon River; acquisition, by gift of 1,100 acres opening up 12 miles of Raquette River to canoeing; 5,278 total acres in conservation easements, plus acquisition of another 1,800 acres for Paul Smith's College for the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
DEC, in a cooperative effort with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Friends of the Greenway, opens the 90-mile Genesee Greenway along the abandoned Genesee Valley Canal.
DEC works with citizen task forces to set deer population objectives for deer management units.
The Division of Lands and Forests develops Geographic Information System (GIS) as a powerful planning and data-gathering tool.
DEC establishes the Natural Resources Damages Unit to recover damages caused by polluters and invest in natural resources restoration projects.
DEC re-establishes nesting ospreys in western NYS At Tonawanda WMA.
New York becomes one of 14 states to hold a "Becoming an Outdoors Woman" workshop, sponsored by DEC and other organizations to teach women skills relating to fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

Legislation and Funding

The Environmental Protection Fund is created. This fund will eventually generate millions of dollars for waste reduction, recycling and other important environmental projects.
First NYS Open Space Plan signed. Plan forms the blueprint for acquisition of unique and environmentally sensitive lands for protection.

The Last Decade (1995-2005)

Environmental Quality

During this period of time, important new programs, including ones aimed at redeveloping brownfields and greatly reducing air pollution, came to the forefront. Important highlights include:

DEC established the Office of Environmental Justice to address environmental justice concerns and ensure equality in community participation in the state's environmental permitting process.
DEC personnel participated in the cleanup and environmental assessment efforts necessary after the 9/11 tragedy at the World Trade Center in Manhattan.
Passage and signing of Superfund/Brownfields law helped DEC establish a new Brownfields Cleanup Program (BCP). This program makes more than $120 million available annually to help private parties clean up unused or abandoned areas, which are likely to be polluted, into productive areas after remediation.
DEC adopted regulations to help carry out the goals of the Governor's Acid Deposition Reduction Program. The ADRP requires selected electric power generators to reduce sulfur dioxide levels 50% below federal standards by 2007, and extends controls on nitrogen oxides.
DEC, along with the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), continue to provide long-term, low-interest loans to local governments for projects that protect drinking water supplies, and prevent water pollution through the New York State Revolving Fund (SRF). An example is the recent awarding of $132 million to 26 communities across the state for projects of this type. Since 1989, more than $11.2 billion in SRF funds have been awarded for 1,248 projects.
The gasoline additive MTBE was banned in New York State due to concerns over pollution of ground water sources.
The Environmental Excellence Awards, an expansion of the concept begun with the former Pollution Prevention Awards, were given starting in 2004. The Excellence Awards recognize businesses, organizations, local governments and individuals in New York State that excel in innovative and sustainable environmental practices and partnerships.

Natural Resources

A renewed emphasis on protecting and preserving land before it is too late came to the forefront during this period of time. Also, protection and preservation of precious areas of New York State such as the Catskills, Adirondacks and Hudson River were advanced by new programs created within DEC.

New York State is currently close to the goal of preserving more than 1 million acres of environmentally significant land during the 1995-2005 period. DEC played important roles in many major land acquisitions during this time, including:144,300 acres of land held by Champion International in the Adirondacks; 800 acres of woodlands in Putnam County to create Wonder Lake State Park; 341 acres of undeveloped, environmentally significant lands along the upper basin of Lake George, including two miles of coastline; 122 acres in Albany's Pine Bush; 1,300 acres on the Shawangunk Ridge; 14,700 acres of Whitney property in Hamilton County, and others.
A new research center for rivers and estuaries has been sited on the Hudson River. The Hudson Institute for Riverine and Estuarine Research is patterned after the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and is set to become a world-class research institute.
The Hudson River received federal designation as an American Heritage River because of its historic and environmental importance.
A total of 25 Bird Conservation Areas (BCAs) have been designated across New York. BCAs safeguard and enhance habitat that birds depend on for breeding, migration, shelter and food. BCAs are modeled after the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program.
Reclamation of former mines has produced a total of about 21,000 acres of newly available land in New York State.

Legislation and Funding

Since 1995, New York State has invested more than $13 billion to protect and preserve the environment. Annual funding now exceeds $1.4 billion.
In 1996, New York State voters approved the $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act for various environmental projects including land acquisition, clean water and air, historic preservation and brownfields redevelopment.
Increased funding of the Environmental Protection Fund more than four-fold to over $100 million annually. The EPF supports state and local programs to preserve open spaces, farmland, coastlines and municipal parks, closing landfills and improving recycling.

Challenges for Today and Tomorrow

Environmental Quality

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI): Eleven mid-Atlantic states have pledged to design a flexible, market-based cap-and-trade program aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Reduced carbon dioxide emissions should lead to reduced levels of acid rain, which has been adversely affecting lakes and related areas in the Adirondacks and Catskills for some time. New Yorks' RGGI program is aimed at helping stakeholders in the state more effectively participate and to provide them with needed information.
Vapor Intrusion: New information indicates that vapor intrusion may be a more widespread problem than first thought. Vapor intrusion is a term used to describe what happens when volatile chemicals move from either ground water or soil into overlying or nearby homes and other buildings. DEC hopes to identify all sites of vapor intrusion no later than December 2006, as an early step in working with this problem.

Natural Resources

Chronic Wasting Disease: At least two cases of this fatal deer and elk disease have been found in a captive deer herd in Oneida County. DEC staff are now assessing the possibility of spread, and are working on ways to keep the disease contained.
Invasive Species: Information recently compiled by DEC indicates that introduction of plant and animal species from outside of New York is having a marked effect on the state's environment. DEC will be developing strategies to deal with this problem.

Summary

In the past 30 years, DEC has been instrumental in fostering:

A remarkable recovery of air, land and water quality
Renewal of fish, wildlife and forests
Growth of safe waste management and recycling
Expansion of opportunities for outdoor recreation

Working from regional offices across the state and a central office in Albany, some 3,200 DEC staff today continue scientific assessment and vigorous action to protect and enhance New York's environment and natural resources. Each region serves the needs of communities within its boundaries.

The DEC regional office that serves your county is your first point of contact for obtaining and renewing DEC permits; reporting environmental or natural resource problems; finding the best places to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors; or reaching any DEC program for any other reason.