Guidance and Policy Documents

Guidance documents provide interpretations of rules and regulations. Most guidance documents offer details about how to comply, helping both the regulated community and DEC staff work toward compliance. DEC's Guidance provides a uniform basis for compliance and enforcement across the state.

DEC makes guidance documents available to the public to inform both the regulated community and interested citizens of the best methods for compliance, and of the interpretations that form the basis of DEC enforcement.

Types of Guidance Documents

DEC issues a variety of guidance documents, nearly all of which can be accessed through this page. They include:

Statements of Policy that Apply to the Entire Department, such as Freedom of Information; Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity; Privacy Policy; Website Copyright and Service Mark Policy, and Web Access for Persons with Disabilities

Guidance Documents Used by Individual Divisions and Programs, including technical guidance series (such as TAGMS, STARS and Air Guides) and statements of policy that staff of the division or program will apply in administering a regulation. When technical guidance is referenced in regulation, the regulated community is obliged to follow its provisions. Such guidance is usually subject to review and comment by the public and the regulated community before it is implemented.

Guidance manuals and other informational material, which usually is developed when many people must act to meet the goals of a regulation. Examples include lists of compliance resources (such as vendors who supply necessary equipment or services) or step-by-step directions for specific processes.

More about Guidance and Policy Documents:

Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources Guidance Documents - Documents produced by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources to provide guidance to staff in their assessment of impacts to fish and wildlife from toxic contaminants, acid deposition, habitat loss, and the monitoring of chemical contaminants such as PCB's and mercury.

Environmental Permits and Pollution Prevention Guidance Documents - Guidance documents for the New York State DEC Division of Environmental Permits and Pollution Prevention

Spill Response and Remediation Guidance Documents - Chemical and Petroleum Bulk Storage in New York. Information on the regulatory programs and requirements for bulk storage of petroleum and chemicals in New York State.
Bulk Storage Guidance Documents - Chemical and Petroleum Bulk Storage in New York. Information on the regulatory programs and requirements for bulk storage of petroleum and chemicals in New York State.
Remediation Guidance and Policy Documents - Regulations and guidance for New York's brownfield program, superfund & hazardous waste site remediation, voluntary cleanups, and petroleum & chemical spill prevention & response.

Hazardous Waste Guidance - Policy documents and TAGMs provide guidance and clarify program issues to facilitate compliance with hazardous waste regulations.
Solid Waste Guidance - Links to policy documents, technical and administrative guidance memorandums (TAGMs)s, and regulations for guidance and clarification on solid waste program issues
Pesticide Statutes, Regulations, and Policies - Environmental Laws, Regulations, Policies and Guidance Relating to Pesticides Applications
Cleanup Guidelines for Soils Contaminated with Radioactive Materials (DSHM-RAD-05-01) - This Policy provides guidance to Department staff on such cleanups for soils contaminated with radioactive materials

Mineral Resources Technical Guidance and Policy - FOIL Fees for Mineral Resources

Declaratory Rulings - Declaratory Rulings from the Office of General Counsel
Enforcement Policies - Policies that establish and embody the Department's enforcement strategy for violations of the Environmental Conservation Law, the implementing regulations, and Orders and Permits.
Office of General Counsel Program Policies - Program Policies that provide guidance to Department staff and the public on specific procedures and reporting requirements that are associated with law and regulation.

Commissioner Policy 29, Environmental Justice and Permitting - This policy provides guidance for incorporating environmental justice concerns into the DEC's environmental permit review process and the DEC application of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and also incorporates environmental justice concerns into some aspects of the DEC's enforcement program, grants program and public participation provisions.

Water Guidance Documents - Water Guidance Documents

Lands and Forests Guidance Documents - Guidance Documents followed by the Division of Lands and Forests

Hearing Office Guidance Documents - Guidance Document for DEC administrative permit and enforcement hearings

Air Policies - Division of Air Resources Program Policy Documents