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Environment DEC
2009 Archive
November 2009
- New Classroom Building to be Erected at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center - The new building will serve as a classroom, provide space for preparing lessons and storing teaching materials and will showcase "green" architecture and landscape design to visitors.
- New Regulation on Open Burning in Effect - Open burning releases substantial amounts of dangerous chemicals into the air and is the largest single cause of wildfires in New York State.
- Public Hearings Scheduled on Draft SGEIS for Marcellus Shale Drilling - The draft SGEIS addresses the range of potential impacts of shale gas development using horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing and outlines safety measures, protection standards and mitigation strategies that operators must follow to obtain permits.
- International Effort Cracks Down on Transportation of Hazardous Waste - Thanks to everyone involved, this successful, multi-agency initiative sent a strong signal to those who flout the law.
- Banner Year for Sportsman Education Classes - DEC continues to seek more volunteer Sportsman Education instructors, who must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum of three years of experience in an outdoor-related field, teach at least one class a year and attend a refresher course every two years.
- DEC Launches New York Nature Explorer - This online natural history reference tool is another way DEC is working to link local governments and businesses with the vast amount of helpful information the state compiles, while also connecting people to the outdoors.
- DEC Releases Revised Draft Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan - The revised drafts recently released provide a second and final opportunity for public comment, the deadline for which is December 14, 2009.
- Belleayre Receives Award and Offers Pre-season Deals - Belleayre Mountain Ski Center has been honored by Ulster County with its 2009 Tourism Business of the Year Award and to celebrate, discounted pre-season packages are being offered through November 13.
- Funds Awarded for Land Conservation and Water Quality Projects - Land trust organizations and communities across New York State and projects from Long Island to the Finger Lakes will benefit from Conservation Partnership Program grants and federal stimulus funds respectively.
- Input Sought on Disappearance of Coastal Seagrass - Seagrass--especially eelgrass--provides invaluable habitat for several fish and shellfish, improves water quality and is an important component of the marine and coastal food webs.
- Miscellaneous News Items - DEC Revises 10-Year Pheasant Management Plan; DEC and Partners Hold Events for Planting Stream Buffers in Hudson Valley; Students Statewide Engage in Scientific Learning Exercises on Hudson River, and Local Sportsman Honored by Dedication at Spicer Creek WMA.
October 2009
- DEC Proposes New Safety Measures, Mitigation Strategies to Govern Potential Marcellus Shale Drilling - DEC has also released an expanded supplemental generic environmental impact statement (SGEIS) for public comment.
- DEC to Hold Collection Days to Prevent Unused/Unwanted Pharmaceuticals from Entering Water Systems - The events are designed to educate the public not to dispose of prescription and other pharmaceuticals down drains when they are no longer needed or have expired.
- Recreational Marine Fishing Licenses and Freshwater Fishing Change Proposals Announced - As of October 1, licenses are now required for recreational marine fishing, and proposed changes to freshwater fishing regulations were recently made available for public comment.
- Still Time for Fall Camping in New York's Forest Preserves - In addition to camping, preserve lands offer the opportunity to see spectacular foliage, enjoy seasonal outdoor activities, and attend festivals and events offered in local communities.
- Groundbreaking Carbon Market Reaches One Year Milestone - The latest auction netted $27.4 million for New York State, advancing Governor David Paterson's clean energy agenda.
- "Conservationist" Magazine Quadricentennial Issue Popular - With a wide variety of stories about all facets of the historic celebration, readers are ordering multiple copies.
- State Unveils Green Hospitality Certification Program - The new initiative encourages hoteliers to "go green and save green."
- Statewide Public Meetings on Deer Management in Progress - Each year in September and October, DEC holds meetings throughout the state where the public provides valuable input that helps DEC better manage white-tailed deer populations.
- Two Major Adirondack Trails See Substantial Improvements - With the help of two non-profit organizations, bridges were built on Botheration Pond Trail through the Siamese Pond Wilderness, and eight miles of the Northville-Lake Placid Trail were rerouted, allowing access to a vestige of original Adirondack forest.
- As Shad Numbers Continue to Fall, DEC Plans to Close Hudson River Fishery - Three public meetings have already been held regarding the proposal, intended to protect dwindling shad stocks.
- 2009-2010 Waterfowl Season In Progress - New York's unique configuration of waterfowl management zones provides hunters with various open seasons begining in September and ranging through April, depending on the location.
- Miscellaneous News Items - DEC Warns Motorists to be Alert for Moose in the Adirondacks; DEC Plans Another Treatment to Stop Northern Snakehead; Comprehensive Cleanup Turns Polluted Site into Community Asset; Asphalt Plant in the Hudson Valley Pays $350,000 Settlement; Ground Broken on Rome Fish Hatchery Renovation.
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
- DEC TV Debuts - The new online video player provides access to videos on outdoor recreation, nature, wildlife and environmental stewardship.
- 2009 Open Space Plan - The plan includes recommendations on how the state and local governments can protect and enhance riparian, coastal and floodplain areas and forests, while improving wildlife habitat and creating new outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Damaging Invasive Beetles Found in New York State - The emerald ash borer was recently discovered in Cattaraugus County--the first known sighting of this destructive species in New York State.
- Funds for Clean-Water Infrastructure - Funded projects are expected to create about 1,300 jobs statewide, many in communities that have been particularly affected by the recession.
- Governors Sign Historic Pact to Protect Atlantic Ocean - The agreement will create structure for mid-Atlantic states to collaborate on offshore renewable energy and other pressing ocean issues.
- DEC Observes Anniversary of "Father" of Forest Rangers - Through the advocacy of William F. Fox, New York State's Superintendent of Forests in 1891, fire patrols were modernized and ultimately led to the creation of forest rangers.
- DEC Offers Help for Auto Body Shops - New environmental compliance guides for auto body shops will help owners understand and comply with environmental laws.
- Comments Sought on Lewis County Quarry Project - Written statements on the proposed 78-acre limestone mine in Clayville, New York must be received by the close of business on July 10, 2009
- Tips for Preventing Human Encounters with Black Bears - During the past decade, bear populations have been increasing in number and expanding in distribution, making human encounters with them more frequent.
- Multi-Use Flume Trail System Opens - This is a great example of how careful planning and cooperation among diverse interests can result in fun and sustainable opportunities even in wild forest areas.
- Possession of Lake Sturgeon in NY Prohibited - Lake sturgeon is a threatened species in New York State and must be released immediately if caught.
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
- Support for Bigger, Better, Bottle Bill Encouraged - An updated bottle bill would result in less litter, more jobs and increased revenue for the state.
- Climate Smart Communities - Local governments can successfully address climate change through appropriate land-use plans, zoning, building codes and public education to promote community-wide greenhouse reductions.
- Some DEC Campgrounds Closed for 2009 Season - Because of the continuing fiscal crisis, six Adirondack and Catskill campgrounds with very low occupancy rates will remain closed in 2009.
- Exams Scheduled for Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators and Apprentice Falconers - The application deadline for both exams is Friday, April 3, and both exams will be held on Friday, April 24 at various DEC locations throughout the state.
- DEC Seeks Public Comment on Lake Ontario Fishery - Meetings are being held in March to obtain comments from the public on management of the Lake Ontario fishery.
- Wildlife in the News - In 2008, the state's peregrine falcon population reached its highest number since restoration of the species began in the 70s; birdwatchers and casual onlookers have been seeing an increasing number of snowy owls since mid-fall; and, soon after the new year began, a Cattaraugus County man caught a record-breaking walleye while ice fishing.
- Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale and School Giveaway - In addition to the annual tree and shrub seedling sale now underway at DEC's Saratoga Tree Nursery, schools may request free seedlings through DEC's School Seedling Program.
- Special Snow Goose Season Announced - New York State hunters are being encouraged to help control the snow goose population to protect agricultural crops, snow goose breeding habitat and other species that depend on the same habitat.
February 2009
January 2009
- DEC Focuses on Chemicals Policy - Governments, businesses and academia are implementing a number of innovative policy approaches to help manage chemical use in manufacturing and products that can significantly affect public health and our environment.
- Retailers to Collect and Recycle Plastic Bags per New Bill - This bill will make it convenient and easy for residents across the state to recycle plastic bags, thereby saving landfill space, reducing litter and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.
- DEC Summer Camps Change Kids' Lives - At DEC's summer residential camps, youth are immersed in conservation education, participating in fun activities and games that teach the wise use of natural resources.
- Acid Rain Harms Streams in Western Adirondacks - An assessment of three-years' worth of surveys provided long-sought information on Adirondack streams that puts our knowledge of streams and forests on a par with our understanding of lakes in the Adirondack region.
- 2008 Environmental Excellence Awards - This awards program recognizes New York State's environmental and conservation leaders who address environmental challenges by using innovative and environmentally sustainable practices or creative partnerships.
- Federal and State Restrictions on Firewood - The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a federal order mandating that firewood imported from Canada be treated to kill pests and diseases, which will help protect New York State trees from invasive insects and deadly infections. For the same reason, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments on a proposed permanent regulation to restrict the import, sale and transport of untreated firewood.
