Events and Important Dates

Lewis County - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Croghan Tract Conservation Easement Draft Recreation Management Plan will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. NYS DEC has completed a Draft Recreation Management Plan for the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement. The plan proposes public motor vehicle use of existing roads, snowmobile routes and public use of foot trails, campsites, and parking areas on the easement property. Some existing facilities and uses have already been opened to the public with landowner permission. Existing facilities will be designated and maintained for public use. New parking areas, hiking trails, a snowmobile trail, snowmobile trail re-route, and up to two campsites will be constructed. In addition, several roads will be improved and opened to public motor vehicles. To minimize the need for tree cutting and new construction, proposed travel corridors and facilities will utilize existing infrastructure such as old log landings and forest management trails, wherever possible.

A public meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at the NYS DEC - Region Lowville Sub Office, 7327 State Route 812, Lowville NY 13367.

Written comments will be accepted by mail or e-mail by the contact person through March 19th, 2020. The Draft RMP is posted on the web at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/8086.html#Planning

The Draft RMP is also available for public review at NYS DEC - Region 6 Lowville Sub Office. Copies are available in electronic format for distribution on compact disc as requested.

Notice is hereby given that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is proposing a new 6 NYCRR Part 351 Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling. The proposed rule sets forth the requirements of Titles 27 and 28 of Article 27 of the Environmental Conservation Law with respect to the prohibition on the distribution of film plastic bags; allowable reusable bags; and the recycling of film plastic by stores. The regulations also address the related requirements for manufacturers. This rule making is referred to as Part 351.

Public Hearing:

A legislative public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed rule will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, January 27, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: 
NYS DEC
625 Broadway 
Albany NY 12233 Room 129

The public is invited to submit written comments on the proposed Part 351 rulemaking through Monday, February 3, 2020. Written comments can be submitted by:

1. E-mail to plasticbags@dec.ny.gov and please write "Comments on Proposed Part 351" in the subject line of the email; or 
2. Mail to Kayla Montanye, NYS DEC - Division of Materials Management, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-7253

Would you like to take a walk in nature, but would rather not go alone?

Join the "Walkers' Club" at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center on Tuesday mornings, 10:30 to 11:30 am.

Participants will gather at the Visitor Center and choose which trail they will walk that morning. This is an opportunity to walk with others and make new friends. These walks are not guided or led by staff. Walkers' Club is a free activity.

If you would like to be added to our special "Walkers Club" email list to receive updates, email us at FriendsFiveRivers@outlook.com.

Now Offering Guided Walks for Adults
Come Wonder as We Wander Five Rivers

Exploring Winter Activity: Stokes’ Guide to Nature In Winter
Winter is a wonderful time to explore the lives of insects, birds, mammals, mushrooms and weeds.  With Donald W. Stokes’ A Guide to Nature In Winter as our escort, let’s head outdoors to discover life under, in and above the snow.  Each week we will select a chapter and read its general information section, usually 2 to 3 pages, to prepare us for our walk.  Once outside, we will hunt for examples of the subject matter and, once found, delve into its unique characteristics, natural history and finally its identity.
Participants should dress in layers, wear sturdy walking shoes/boots, and pack a snack.  Meet at Five Rivers’ Guided School Program Building.
Time:  1:30 -3:00 p.m.
Dates: Wednesdays (January 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12)
Fee:  $35 for Friends’ Members; $55 for non-members
Registration:  Contact Nancy Conway by email at gsp5rivers@outlook.com.
Maximum Participants:  10 Adults
Deadline for registration:  January 10, 2020

This program fills quickly - register today!

Sardinia Town Hall
12320 Savage Road
Sardinia, NY 14134

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Waste Management of NY LLC - Chaffee Landfill Proposed Expansion may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement must be prepared. The Draft Scope is available from the NYS DEC - Region 9 Office, 270 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY; the Sardinia Town Hall, 12320 Savage Road, Sardinia, NY; the Arcade Free Public Library, 365 Main Street, Arcade, NY; and online at: http://chaffeelandfill.wm.com. A public scoping session on the Draft Scope will be held on January 30, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sardinia Town Hall, 12320 Savage Road, Sardinia, NY 14134.

The action involves a 20 acre lateral expansion to the south of the existing landfill, 10 acres of valley fill between the proposed new cell area and the closed landfill, and a vertical expansion over currently permitted areas. The vertical expansion would cover about 24 acres and increase the height of the permitted landfill by 30 feet. The proposed project also includes two new soil borrow areas, 11.9 acres to the north of the existing closed landfill and an 8.9 acre clay borrow area south of the proposed expansion area. The project is located at 10860 Olean Road in the Town of Sardinia, New York.

NYS DEC proposes to repeal 6 NYCRR Part 622, Uniform Enforcement Hearing Procedures, and replace the rule with a new 6 NYCRR Part 622, Uniform Enforcement Hearing Procedures, to clarify the hearing process for administrative enforcement proceedings. In addition to adopting a new Part 622, NYS DEC proposes to amend the definition section of 6 NYCRR Part 620, Procedures for Issuance of Summary Abatement Orders, and Part 624, Permit Hearing Procedures, to make the definitions of terms shared by Parts 620, 622 and 624 consistent. NYS DEC also proposes to amend 6 NYCRR 621.10(a), 621.11(g) and 621.13(d) to require that a copy of a written request for a hearing made pursuant to those subdivisions be provided to the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to repeal and replace 6 NYCRR Part 622 and amend 6 NYCRR Parts 620, 621 and 624 will be published in issue 43 of the State Register, dated October 23, 2019. Documents pertaining to the proposed rulemaking may be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html#public.

Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2020. Written comments must be mailed to Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Michael S. Caruso, NYS DEC Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, 625 Broadway, 1st Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1550, or emailed to ALJ Caruso at ohms@dec.ny.gov.

A Hearing for the proposed rule and attendant revisions to existing rules described above will be held as follows and is scheduled in a place that is reasonably accessible to persons with impaired mobility:

Date: January 7, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: NYS DEC
625 Broadway, Public Assembly Room 129A/B
Albany, NY 12233

DEC invites the public to comment about a draft plan to investigate contamination related to the Hawkeye Trade Center and Residences - 1A Site (Rochester, Monroe Co.), within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Public comments about the draft plan will be accepted through January 31, 2020.

Click the web link above at "Additional Information" to learn about the proposal and how to comment (information available in English y Español).

Project documents are available online at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C828207/

And at:

Lincoln Branch Library
851 Joseph Ave.
Rochester, NY 14621
585-428-8210

Educator Workshop: PROJECT WET
Educators attending this exciting workshop will learn about, use, and go home with the National Science Teacher Association-endorsed Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Guide. Project WET explores water’s physical characteristics, how it connects all of Earth’s systems, and how this natural resource is managed within social constructs. WET does this through hands-on simulations and modeling. This interdisciplinary K–12 resource is provided free of charge by the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. Certified teachers will receive 4 CTLE hours. Participants must pre-register by calling the center by Wednesday, January 29.

NOTE: Organized groups (scouts, schools, hiking clubs, etc.) are welcome, but are asked to call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register.

Join a guided nature walk and use your senses to search through the woods. No registration required.

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) helps teachers use water to teach English language arts, science, math and more! Participants receive a standards-based interdisciplinary curriculum guide that includes lessons covering water's physical and chemical properties, cultural connections to water, and water resource management. For educators of students in grades K-12. 4 CTLE hours provided.

Registration required; call 716-683-5959.