Environment DEC
From the March 2003 issue
Enforcement Program Continues to Protect the Environment
An annual summary of DEC's enforcement initiatives for 2002 shows significant progress in identifying and correcting sources of environmental pollution and promoting greater compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
"Governor Pataki's continued dedication to the health of our environment has enabled DEC to carry out its mission and has reinforced New York's status as a national leader in environmental protection," DEC Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said. "The Governor has provided DEC with the necessary resources to implement his philosophy of firm but fair enforcement. We have used those resources to achieve greater environmental compliance among individuals and businesses in New York State."
Enforcement Highlights
DEC issued 2,688 consent orders to polluters in 2002. The amount of civil penalties imposed through consent orders increased slightly, with violators being required to pay about $10.7 million. During 2002, DEC also imposed five orders requiring polluters who refused to sign consent orders to pay about $376,500 in penalties.
Under a consent order with DEC, an individual or company agrees to pay a penalty for its environmental violations, come into compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations and where necessary, clean up pollution it caused.
As a result of DEC enforcement actions in 2002, environmental violators agreed to pay nearly $7.6 million for environmental benefit projects. These projects provide environmental and public health protection or improvements in areas where environmental insults occurred. These funds can be used, among other things, to acquire important natural resource areas, restore habitat, expand outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality and reduce air pollution.
Additional enforcement program details for 2002 and summary statistics comparing the years 1998-2002 can be found in the press release on 2002 enforcement.
