Celebrate National Outdoors Day with DEC this month! 

Join Educator Betsy Ukeritis as she kicks off the festivities on Facebook LIVE, with an #ExploreLocal Live at High Tor Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Region 8. 

DEC Region 8 Wildlife & Forest Ranger staff join Betsy to explain what a “WMA” is, as well as what you can enjoy on these properties. They'll also be sharing some #HikeSmart tips. 

To learn more about Outdoors Day & DEC’s activities >>

Celebrate National Outdoors Day with DEC this month! 

Join Educator Betsy Ukeritis as she kicks off the festivities on Instagram Live, with an #ExploreLocal Live at High Tor Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Region 8. 

DEC Region 8 Wildlife & Forest Ranger staff join Betsy to explain what a “WMA” is, as well as what you can enjoy on these properties. They'll also be sharing some #HikeSmart tips. 

To learn more about Outdoors Day & DEC’s activities >>

DEC's Office of Climate Change (OCC) seeks proposals from qualified organizations to serve as Climate Leadership Coordinators to provide support services to communities as part of the Climate Smart Communities Program. The selected contractors will engage and support municipal action through outreach, planning, education, and capacity building to local governments and their communities on climate change mitigation and adaptation within one of three territories. The contractors will also engage communities in participatory climate future scenario planning, develop climate change adaptation and resilience plans, and convene climate and transportation listening sessions to inform sustainable and low-carbon transportation policies. These actions will help New York State meet its requirements of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent of their 1990 levels by 2030 and increasing community resilience and adaptation to unavoidable current and future climate change impacts.

An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=m22c8b9d122f0f6d88dc1833843727e60

Meeting number: 161 751 7080

Password: CLCrfp2021

Together, kids and their parents or caregivers can enjoy a fun hour-long outdoor activity. For children in grades K-5.

We welcome those who have any type of physical challenge to all our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your needs, we will be happy to learn how we can serve you.

PLEASE NOTE

• Pre-registration is required for ALL programs; call 716-683-5959 to register for an in-person program. For virtual programs, please register online at www.reinsteinwoods.org/events.
• You must pre-register by phone; you will receive a call confirming your registration or waitlist status. PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY when leaving your name and phone number as our system does not have caller ID. Unless you receive a callback, you are not registered. *Registration for popular programs is limited to 3 people per party.
• All participants are required to wear a mask; social distancing of 6 feet or more will be practiced whenever possible. 
• In case of poor weather, programs may be cancelled.
• We cannot accommodate organized youth/civic groups at these programs. Please call to make other arrangements.

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.  

DEC has received an Brownfield Cleanup Program amendment application for a site known as 800 Hiawatha Boulevard West (former Roth Steel), site ID #C734083. This site is located in the City of Syracuse within the County of Onondaga, and is located at 800 Hiawatha Blvd. West. Public comments about the application to amend must be submitted by June 4, 2021.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the site and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C734083/

And, once reopened, at:

Robert P. Kinchen Central Library
447 South Salina Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

DEC invites the public to comment about a draft plan to investigate contamination related to the YMCA White Plains, site ID #C360206 (White Plains, Westchester County) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Public comments about the draft plan will be accepted through June 4, 2021.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the draft plan and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C360206/

And, once reopened, at:

White Plains Public Library
100 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
Attn: Brian J. Kenney, PhD.

With summer approaching, nicer weather, and school slowing down, it’s a great time to explore New York’s trail systems. Join Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps member, Andrew, and Executive Vice President of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Deb Nero, as they discuss the Finger Lakes Trail system and Passport program, National Trails Day, and mitigating the risks of ticks while hiking. Get hyped to celebrate National Trails Day, this Saturday, June 5th!

Additionally, the public is invited to join Deb on a guided virtual hike along in Dabes Diversion Loop trail directly following the presentation (on Finger Lakes Trail Conference’s Facebook Page). Virtual hike event info >>

Check out tick safety information at the “Don’t get Ticked NY” site with NYS Integrated Pest Management >>

DEC invites the public to comment about a proposal to address contamination related to the 28 South Division Street, site ID #C360198 (New Rochelle, Westchester County) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Public comments about the proposal will be accepted through June 5, 2021.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the proposal and how to comment.

Project documents can be reviewed online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C360198/

And, once reopened, at:

New Rochelle Public Library
1 Liberty Plaza
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 632-7879

Learn how to identify birds by sound as well as by sight. Spring is the best time to do this as the males are declaring their territory and advertising their presence to prospective female partners. Join us for a walk on our trails to identify birds along the way. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, June 2, 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.  

Enjoy the returning beauty of flowers this June. This time of year, forest edges are bursting with blooms, and a stroll out along some of the trails at Five Rivers to see them is like chicken soup for the soul!

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, June 2, 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.