Environmental Events & News for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westcheser Counties (Region 3)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 03/22/2021 10:53 AM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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Environmental Events & News for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties (Region 3) |
In This Issue:
NYS Outdoor Burn Ban: March 16 - May 14Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. In 2020, DEC Forest Rangers extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are volunteer, all too often must leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC will post a Fire Danger Map rating for the 2021 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in the state. New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York website. Women's History MonthThis Women’s History Month, we are celebrating women past and present who are advancing the work of DEC. If you are interested in growing your legacy in the outdoors, consider DEC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and Beyond BOW programs. These programs teach participants the outdoor skills they need to become comfortable, confident, influential members of the outdoor community. DEC experts provide information, encouragement, and hands-on instruction in outdoor skills such as fishing, shooting, archery, hunting, trapping, outdoor photography, map and compass, survival, camping, canoeing, and outdoor cooking. BOW workshops are designed primarily for women who have little or no experience with outdoor activities but are open to anyone ages 18 and over. Past participants have ranged in age from late teens to mid-80s! View the photo gallery from past BOW workshops on DEC's Flickr page. Public Comment PeriodDutchess County Wallace Campus Site (Poughkeepsie) Comment Deadline DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application and Draft Investigation Work Plan for a site known as Wallace Campus, site ID #C314134. This site is located at 319, 325, 327-329 & 331 Main Street, Poughkeepsie. You must submit public comments about the application and draft work plan by March 26, 2021. Orange County Fulton Street Middletown MGP (Middletown) Comment Deadline DEC invites the public to comment on a proposed remedy to address contamination related to the Fulton Street - Middletown Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) Site #336030 (Middletown, Orange County) within New York’s Manufactured Gas Plant Program. DEC will accept public comments about the proposal through March 27, 2021. Westchester County Swan Garage Supply (New Rochelle) Comment Deadline DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application, Draft Remedial Action Work Plan and Remedial Investigation Report for a site known as Swan Garage Kent Supply Site, site ID #C360210. This site is located at 64 Centre Avenue, Centre Avenue lot, and 8 Westchester Place, New Rochelle. Submit public comments about the application and draft work plan by April 3, 2021. 247 North Avenue Site (New Rochelle) Comment Deadline DEC invites the public to comment on a draft plan to investigate contamination and a proposed expedited cleanup of contamination at the 247 North Avenue Site #C360200 (New Rochelle) within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program. DEC will accept public comments about the draft plan through April 4, 2021. 46-70 McLean Avenue Auto (Yonkers) Comment Deadline DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application, Draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan, and Draft Interim Remedial Measures Work Plan for a site known as 46-70 McLean Avenue Auto Repair Laundry Site, site ID #C360211. This site is located at 46-70 McLean Avenue, Yonkers. You must submit public comments about the application and draft work plans by April 9, 2021. Environmental Conservation Police Office HighlightsDEC Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 2020, the 298 ECOs and Investigators across the state responded to 29,673 calls and worked on cases that resulted in 11,952 tickets or arrests for crimes ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. Two-thousand-and-twenty-one marks New York's Conservation Police Officers' 141st anniversary. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. Below are examples of the work ECOs perform in your region. Ulster County - DNA Head Case Pictured: Seized deer head. Westchester County - Striper Swipers Pictured: ECOs Tompkins, Thibodeau, and Franz with 80 out-of-season striped bass Westchester County - Catch Undersized Fish, Pay Sizeable Fine An angler busted for taking undersized striped bass last year paid a hefty fine in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson Court. On Sept. 1, 2020, ECOs Tompkins and Crisafulli were patrolling the Hudson River when they noticed several groups fishing. The officers began checking each group for licenses and any fish caught. ECO Tompkins checked the bucket that contained many fish, including white perch. A closer look found 17 undersized striped bass in the bucket. New York State regulations restrict anglers in the Hudson River to one fish per person with a size limit of 18 to 28 inches. One of the anglers in the group took the blame for all the illegally caught fish and was issued two tickets: one for possession of undersized striped bass; and another for possession of over the daily limit of striped bass. The fisherman pleaded guilty to both charges and paid a fine of $900 for the violations. Pictured: Undersize Striped Bass recovered by ECOs. Save the Date - I Love My Park Day 2021I Love My Park Day - the largest single-day volunteer event in NYS - will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021! With the ongoing pandemic, this year will look a little different, but will be modified for a safe, in-person I Love My Park Day event. Parks & Trails NY, in partnership with State Parks and DEC, will be hosting a more contained, two-day event on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. Registration for volunteers will open at the end of March. See photos of the 2019 events in our Flickr album. Photo taken in 2019
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