Full Calendar

In the run-up to next week’s Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW), tune in to find out the details about ISAW, learn about our invasive species curriculum, and for the basics on using the iMapInvasives App. Whether you’re a teacher, environmental educator, or just looking to find out more about what’s in store next week, you won’t want to miss this!

To learn more about Invasive Species Education and Outreach opportunities >>

Issues Conference for Rockland County Sewer District #1 Treatment Plant. Pursuant to 6 NYCRR 624.4(b), a pre-adjudicatory issues conference will be conducted by ALJ Michael S. Caruso electronically through the Webex Events electronic webinar platform and will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2021. The purpose of the issues conference is to determine party status for any person or organization that has properly filed a petition (as indicated below), and to narrow and define those issues, if any, that will require adjudication in this matter. Participation at the issues conference shall be limited to Department staff, applicant, and those persons or organizations requesting party status. Issues proposed for adjudication must be both substantive and significant in accordance with 6 NYCRR 624.4(c).

Members of the public may observe the issues conference by attending the electronic webinar. Instructions for attending the webinar are provided below.

To join the issues conference on June 3, 2021, through the internet, visit www.webex.com and click “Join a meeting.”

Event Number: 129 942 9041

Password: June3-10am

To join by phone only:

Dial: 1-518-549-0500

Access Code: 129 942 9041

It is not necessary to pre-register to attend the issues conference.

Filing for Party Status and Proposed Issues: Persons seeking to participate at the issues conference and the subsequent adjudicatory hearing, if one is necessary, must file a written petition explaining whether their request is for full party status or amicus status. For the required contents of petitions for full party status, see 6 NYCRR 624.5(b)(1) and (2). To determine whether an issue is substantive, see 6 NYCRR 624.4(c)(2), and to determine whether an issue is significant, see 6 NYCRR 624.4(c)(3). For the required contents of a petition seeking amicus status, see 6 NYCRR 624.5(b)(1) and (3).

All petitions requesting party status to participate at the adjudicatory hearing must be received at DEC's Office of Hearings and Mediation Services no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Address all petitions to Administrative Law Judge Michael S. Caruso, DEC's Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, 1st Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12233-1550, telephone: (518) 402-9003, email: michael.caruso@dec.ny.gov. At the same time and in the same manner that the petition is furnished to the ALJ, a copy of the petition must be furnished to applicant's attorney, Steven A. Torres, West Group Law PLLC, 81 Main Street, Suite 510, White Plains, NY 10601, telephone: (508) 922-8222, email: storres@westgrouplaw.com, and to Department staff's attorney, Ashley Johnson, Assistant Regional Attorney, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561, telephone: (845) 256-3037, email: ashley.johnson@dec.ny.gov.

Filing of petitions by email is authorized provided petitions are received by all of the above parties by the 4:00 pm deadline, and a conforming hard copy is sent by first class mail and postmarked by the deadline date. Telefaxed petitions will not be accepted.

Any questions about the filing requirements or other hearing procedures may be addressed to ALJ Caruso by telephone at (518) 402-9003. DEC's permit hearing regulations may be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2488.html, and a guide to permit hearing procedures may be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6234.html, Hearings and Mediation Services, Guide to Permit Hearings.

Join us after school to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and have fun outdoors. We’ll meet in front of the visitor center to head out on an adventure. Each week will have a different theme and will include time to explore. Come for as many sessions as you’d like, and dress for outdoor activity. For children in grades K–5 and their caregivers.

Space is limited. Call 518-475-0291 by the Monday prior to register.

For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, and in compliance with guidance from New York State, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing practices must be followed. Masks must be worn throughout guided programs, while at a roving program, and on the trails whenever a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained between individuals or households.