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Environment DEC
2010 Archive
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
- Draft Proposals to Strengthen Endangered Species Regulations - Public comments on the proposed changes--which will provide a predictable framework for projects--are being accepted through September 20, 2010.
- Sporting Licenses for 2010-2011 Now Available - Licenses for hunting, fishing and trapping and deer management permits can be purchased online, via telephone or mail, or in person from any license issuing agent.
- Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Catskill Forest Preserve - The invasive insect is believed to be spread primarily by people moving infested firewood and wood products, despite 2008 regulations to limit their transportation.
- Waterfowl Season Dates Announced - This year's season dates were developed by a team of DEC biologists with input from waterfowl hunters and hunter task forces, which have helped select waterfowl hunting season dates for more than a decade.
- DEC Summer Camps Enjoy Successful Season - Despite a poor economy, more than 1,400 youngsters attended DEC's summer camps this season and left with experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
- DEC Expands Google Earth Offerings - Information about DEC's hiking, horseback riding, biking, skiing, snowmobile and disabled-access hiking trails is now available in an easy-to-use format.
- Pesticide and Chemical Collections Scheduled for North Country Farms and Businesses - "CleanSweepNY" will help businesses, farms and institutions that have registered in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer and Oneida counties to properly dispose of unwanted or obsolete pesticides and other chemicals.
- Public Comment Opens on Pharsalia Woods Plan; Comment Period for Moose River Proposal Extended - The draft plan for Pharsalia Woods proposes management activities on the unit for the next 20 years and defines goals and objectives for various issues. Meanwhile, the deadline for public comment on the wide variety of proposed actions in Moose River Plains in the Adirondacks has been extended.
- Work at Hoyt Lake and Scajaquada Creek Will Improve Water Quality - An upgrade to groundwater wells and three pumps will help boost oxygen levels and reduce algae growth and odor.
August 2010
- America's Great Outdoors Listening Tour Comes to the Hudson Valley - The public listening session on conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors will be held Friday, August 6, from 9 AM to noon at Marist College in Poughkeepsie.
- Plan to Combat Invasive Species Released - New York State has released a report with recommendations for dealing with invasive species. As if to highlight the need for such a plan, the invasive and destructive emerald ash borer was recently discovered in more locations in the state, several counties east of its last reported location.
- Meetings Announced on Proposals for a Huge Adirondack Parcel - The meetings will discuss several proposed changes affecting the use, size and protective classification of portions of the Moose River Plains Wild Forest, which is currently more than 85,000 acres.
- Live Large with "Conservationist" Magazine! - In the pages of August's "Conservationist," be astounded as you read about the largest creatures on Earth-the great whales in the waters off Long Island-and much more.
- Annual Pollution Cleanup Report Highlights Progress - The report shows the thousands of spills and dozens of major cleanups that have been addressed, as well as the millions of dollars recovered by DEC for environmental damage.
- Spring Ban on Brush Burning Results in 33% Fewer Wildfires - The reduction in fires is proving the effectiveness of the new regulation banning open burning in the spring on both the state and county level.
- Purchase Protects Two Rochester Area Finger Lakes - Hemlock and Canadice lakes will be protected from development and managed for the benefit of the public by DEC.
- Boat Launches and Reef Program to Benefit from Saltwater Fishing License Sales - Eleven artificial reefs will be improved and a twelfth created, and three boat launches will be improved using funds from state saltwater fishing license sales and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act.
- Miscellaneous New Items - Still time to comment on baitfish regulations; New York State natural gas production declines 11% in 2009, and proposed battery plant in Schenectady County receives permit.
July 2010
- Emerald Ash Borer in Cattaraugus County - Although susceptibility to the emerald ash borer cannot be eliminated, there are ways to slow its advancement, and every precaution is being taken to reduce its spread.
- DEC'S "Be Green" Initiative Taps into Organic Yard Care - The overall goal of "Be Green" is to help create an organically managed environment for people, pets, wildlife and plants.
- Carbon Auction Yields Nearly $30 Million to Fund Clean Energy and Green Jobs in NY - This auction, the eighth conducted by the ten states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), generated a total of $80.5 million.
- Conservationist Magazine--An Inside Look at the Outdoors - Subscribers receive seven full-color issues of Conservationist magazine for only $12 per year.
- Champlain Anglers Need Vermont License to Fish "The Gut" - The Gut is not a "reciprocal" water, as was indicated by mistake in the 2009-2010 New York State regulations guide.
- Tonawanda Coke Corporation Cited for Air Quality Violations - Alleged violations include exceeding air quality emission limits for opacity, failing to operate and maintain air pollution control sources consistent with minimizing emissions, and exceeding established limits caused by door leaks, off-take leaks and coal-charging operations.
- Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Camping Opportunity - Instruction will cover camping skills, identifying plants, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, geocaching, keeping wildlife out of your campsite, trail bicycling and hiking.
- Improvements Made at Lake George HRSMA - The changes will help protect natural resources and continue universal access so that all users can have an enjoyable outdoor experience at this popular location.
- Miscellaneous News Items - The public comment periods for two proposals have been extended; Two teens win free camperships in an essay contest; People are reminded to take certain precautions to discourage nuisance bears; Oriskany Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was recently dedicated to the late Dave Pierce;
June 2010
- DEC Releases Plan to Put New York on a Path "Beyond Waste" - This new direction in solid-waste management focuses on reducing packaging and waste and using 'greener' materials.
- Trustees Support EPA's Stand on Dredging the Hudson River - The announcement came in the wake of several days of presentations by EPA and General Electric Company before a panel of dredging experts reviewing Phase I of the project, completed last year.
- New Changes to Fluke, Scup and Black Sea Bass Seasons - DEC is working to optimize fishing opportunities while staying within mandated limits for these popular marine species.
- DEC Announces Opening of Campgrounds in Adirondacks and Catskills - In addition, local assistance helps DEC reopen Caroga Lake Campground, formerly closed due to the state's budget woes.
- Budget Crisis Closes Some Vehicle Roads on State Lands - Some roads in the Adirondacks and in three Western New York counties will be closed to vehicles, however, the roads and surrounding lands will still be open for authorized recreational use by the public.
- "Field Notes" Brings Fish and Wildlife News to Your Inbox - Once you sign up for this latest free subscription service from DEC, you will automatically receive e-mails with the latest news about everything from game seasons to invasive species.
- Clearwater Partnership Gives "Mobile" Dimension to Hudson River Monitoring - As it sails the Hudson, the iconic river sloop will serve as a mobile monitoring station, collecting and transmitting water quality data.
- Didymo Found in Kayaderosseras Creek - This is the fifth renowned trout stream in New York State where the invasive alga, also called "rock snot," has been found.
- Miscellaneous News Items - If you care, leave it there; Deadline for Landowner Incentive Program for bog turtles extended; DEC takes action to protect Lake Ontario barrier beaches; Tentative 2010-11 migratory game bird hunting seasons announced
May 2010
- Separate Gas Drilling Reviews for NYC and Skaneateles Lake Watersheds - New York City and Syracuse use unfiltered drinking water from surface-water sources which are subject to filtration avoidance determinations (FADs) that present distinct land-disturbance and usage issues independent of DEC's ongoing review of the environmental safety of the high-volume hydraulic fracturing process.
- DEC Commissioner's Blog Launched on Earth Day - To mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, Commissioner Grannis initiated a new blog, urging the public to read and comment on it in the spirit of environmental collaboration.
- New Proposal to Cut Pollution - This proposal will ensure that new outdoor wood boilers are cleaner, and that existing boilers are used in the most environmentally sound way possible.
- DEC Embraces "Green Remediation" - Green remediation considers site cleanup in the context of the larger environment by using a holistic approach that promotes the use of more sustainable practices and technologies.
- New Freshwater Fishing Regulations - The changes to existing regulations will become effective as of October 1, 2010 and reflect public input on the draft rules.
- Anglers Advised to Be Aware of Threatened Lake Sturgeon - Encounters with lake sturgeon are more likely to occur during spring, when they gather to spawn on clean gravel shoals and in stream rapids.
- Free Fishing Events Offered Throughout New York State - From April through October, at free fishing events, adults and kids can experience fishing fun for free--without a license--and learn about fishing equipment and techniques and how to identify fish.
- Action Proposed to Protect Against Invasive Species - A draft report by the New York State Invasive Species Council recommends a new classification system to restrict movement of non-native plants and animals which threaten our ecology and economy.
- DEC Accepting Applications for Fire Assistance Grants - Grants are for expenses directly related to fire suppression efforts and are available only to fire companies that serve a single town with a population of 10,000 or less or that serve multiple communities, at least one of which is a rural town of less than 10,000 residents.
- Grants to Protect Endangered Species in Hudson Valley - Private landowners in portions of Columbia, Greene, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan and Orange counties are eligible for grants to restore and maintain critical habitat for endangered bog turtles and other species at risk.
- Miscellaneous News Items - Spring turkey hunting opens; public comment period extended; brush burning banned; avoiding encounters with black bears
April 2010
- Forty Years of Protecting the Environment - In a manner of speaking, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since 1970, but that water is now a lot cleaner, as is our air and our land, since the establishment of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
- Latest CO2 Emissions Auction Yields $32.7 Million for Clean Energy in New York State - The total for all auctions to date is $213.4 million for New York State to use on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green jobs projects.
- Unprecedented Means Employed to Involve the Public in Climate Change Planning - If unable to attend meetings in person, people can easily participate in live phone conferences and have their say regarding how the state plans to cope with climate change.
- Taking Action to Protect Aquatic Life, DEC Limits Water Intake by Certain Industrial Facilities - All facilities drawing 20 million gallons or more from a water body in New York State will now be required to use closed-cycle cooling which will greatly reduce adverse affects on aquatic life.
- Freshwater Fishing Kicks Off with the April 1 Opener for Trout and Salmon - DEC reminds anglers that great trout and salmon fishing opportunities abound in New York's thousands of freshwater streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.
- New York Expands Fluke Season, Closes or Restricts Shad Fishery - An increase in fluke numbers after a period of restrictions have led to expansion of the season, while declines in American shad populations have resulted in closures or restrictions on the fishery so it can recover.
- Public Meetings Scheduled on River Herring Management - The meetings will gather input from fishery stakeholders that will help to determine sustainable management of herring stocks.
- Record-setting Year for Peregrine Falcons; Eagle Count Poised to Set Record - Both magnificent raptors, formerly decimated by DDT, have responded triumphantly to ongoing restoration efforts in New York State.
- New York City, DEC and the Natural Resources Defense Council Announce Jamaica Bay Agreement - The agreement will improve water quality in the bay by upgrading wastewater treatment plants and also restore marshlands.
- Seven Campgrounds and Two Day-Use Areas Will Not Open in 2010 - Though regrettable, the actions are necessary to achieve DEC's 2010-11 savings target and address the state's historic fiscal crisis.
- Small Communities Reminded of Brush Burning Ban During High Fire Risk Period - Residential brush burning is prohibited from March 15 until May 15, which has historically been a period of high fire risk in New York.
- Miscellaneous News Items - Deer Harvest Continues at High Rate in 2009; Bear Harvest for 2009 is State's Second Highest; Environmental Education Camps Now Accepting Applications; North Country pesticide collection scheduled for early May; Grants available to protect endangered bog turtle habitat.
March 2010
- DEC Comments Released on First Phase of Hudson River Dredging Project - The first phase of the Hudson River PCB dredging project is complete, and DEC's comments and recommendations on it have been released.
- What are Your Kids Doing this Summer? - After spending a week at a DEC environmental education camp, kids come away with a life-long passion for nature and a dedication to stewardship of our natural resources.
- Vehicle Emission Inspections Falsified - After an investigation by DEC and DMV found simulators used to skirt state law, 40 facilites were cited for falsifying more than 20,000 vehicle emission inspections.
- March Meetings on State of Lake Ontario - Presentations will include updates on trout and salmon fisheries, forage fish populations, lake trout restoration efforts, warm water fish populations, sea lamprey control and the status of Lake Ontario Sportfishing Restoration Program projects.
- Albany-Area Pharmaceutical Collection Event - Flushed prescription and over-the-counter medications can get into our water bodies, adversely affecting fish and other aquatic wildlife and possibly enabling drug-resistant bacteria to develop.
- Watchable Wildlife Sites and Events - DEC and its partners offer numerous opportunities at a variety of locations for observing nature up close.
- Comments Invited on Fire Tower Study and Management Plans - Written comments on the fire tower study, the Hurricane Mountain draft UMP, the Jay Mountain Wilderness draft UMP and the St. Regis Canoe Area UMP amdendment will be accepted until March 26, 2010.
- Seedlings for Schools and for Sale - DEC's Saratoga Tree Nursery will provide 50 tree seedlings or a mixed packet of 30 wildlife shrubs free of charge to any public or private school requesting them, and the nursery also will take orders from the public for its annual sale of tree and shrub seedlings until mid-May.
- Environmental Excellence Awards - This awards program honors eligible New York State applicants who are meeting environmental challenges by using uniquely innovative and environmentally sustainable practices or creative partnerships.
- Brownfields Cleanups - The Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) was created in 2003 and improved by Governor David A. Paterson in 2008 to encourage cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites--contaminated properties where the presence of pollution has impeded redevelopment--using tax credits as incentives.
- Management Plan Adopted for Pheasants - This plan incorporates the extensive information gathered by DEC biologists and input provided by sportsmen and other partners to provide a comprehensive assessment of pheasant management in New York State.
- New Booklet on Hudson River Available - A booklet on the Hudson River provides a new resource for teachers and students studying the river.
- Miscellaneous News Items - Oswego County Sportsmen Groups and Local Business Donate Mower to DEC Region 7; New Draft Flood Maps for Broome County Released; Reports of DEC Officers Finding Dead Mountain Lion Are Hoaxes; DEC Announces Exams for Falconry Apprentice and Wildlife Rehabilitator; Comment Period Extended for Draft Jessup River Wild Forest UMP
February 2010
January 2010
