Environmental News and Events for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties (Region 3)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 07/20/2023 09:18 AM EDT |
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Environmental News and Events for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties (Region 3) |
In This Issue:
DEC Announces Multi-Year Research Study to Improve Bald and Golden Eagle Conservation EffortsNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced DEC is seeking hunters to participate in a multi-year study of non-lead ammunition impacts on the State's eagle conservation efforts. DEC is partnering with the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University, U.S. Geological Survey, and Conservation Science Global on the study to determine the reduction in bald and golden eagle deaths that can be achieved from increased use of non-lead ammunition for deer hunting. Eagles can ingest lead bullet fragments when scavenging the remains left behind after a hunter field dresses a deer. While the bald eagle population is doing well in New York, research has shown that lead-related mortality has slowed population growth. The golden eagle population in the eastern U.S. is relatively stable, although vulnerable to a potential population decline due to lead poisoning. This study aims to determine whether this source of mortality can be reduced by increasing the proportion of hunters using non-lead ammunition. To help recruit hunters to participate in the study, DEC's research partners will be offering rebates of up to $60 for the purchase of certified non-lead ammunition and participation in pre- and post-hunt surveys. Administration of the rebates will be fulfilled by Conservation Science Global. Participation in the rebate program is voluntary and will be available to hunters issued a Deer Management Permit (DMP) in the following Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): 3H, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4W, and 6G. These WMUs were selected based on greater abundance of eagles and deer harvest success. Focusing eligibility to these areas will concentrate the impact of non-lead ammunition use, allowing for a greater ability to estimate the effects on eagle populations. For more information, visit DEC’s website. Public Comment DeadlinesBrownfield Application- Elmwood Preserve Site (Greenburgh) Comment Deadline DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application for a site known as Elmwood Preserve, site ID #C360239. This site is located in the Town of Greenburgh, within the County of Westchester, and is located at 850 Dobbs Ferry Road. Public comments about the application must be submitted by July 28, 2023. Environmental Conservation Police on PatrolThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State's Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 13,800 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. ECOs Help Secure Airshow - Orange County Region 3 ECOs teamed up with the Orange County Sheriff and New York State Police to assist with perimeter security during the annual New York State Airshow at the Orange County Airport. The airshow featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, West Point parachute team, and other aviators performing stunts for the crowd. The show ran from June 23 to 25.
Duckling Disasters Diverted - Putnam and Westchester Counties On June 6, ECO Franz received a call reporting six ducklings stranded inside a storm drain in the town of Carmel, Putnam County. The ducklings' parent was unable to reach them. Officer Franz arrived at the location and immediately heard the ducks inside the drain. With some elbow grease and determination, the ECO dislodged the grate and safely removed the ducklings. Soon after, another duck debacle took place in New Rochelle, where a mother and her ducklings were stranded on the roof of a seven-story apartment building. ECO Franz responded, patrolled the area, and gathered the birds in a tote. He then carefully transported them to a pond across the street from the apartment building and released the ducks.
Leaving Them Out to Dry - Rockland County On June 7, 2023, ECOs in Rockland County inspected a dry-cleaning facility alleged to be improperly storing Perchloroethylene (PERC) and operating without proper safety precautions. During the inspection, ECOs observed several violations of air quality regulations including the illegal storage of a waste chemical, failure to have a functioning vapor barrier around the PERC machine, no leak detection device, and additional violations of reporting and testing requirements. ECOs issued six tickets to the owner of the facility for the violations.
For additional Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol stories, visit the press release page on DEC's website. Take the 2023 I Bird NY Challenge and NYS Birding Trail News
The 2023 IBIRDNY Challenge is back and better than ever! Birders of all ages and abilities are encouraged to see or hear and record any 10 bird species of their choosing, with opportunities for both youth and adult participants to win great birding prizes. New this year, the challenge will run from March 1 – November 1, observation logs may be submitted via an online form, and all participants will receive a commemorative challenge patch! For more information, including ideas on species to observe and places to go, visit the I Bird NY webpage. DEC also added seven new locations to the New York State Birding Trail and announced an updated site nomination process. Forest Rangers in ReviewNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State. In 2022, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 359 search and rescue missions, extinguished 162 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 53 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate nearly 900 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests. Town of Shandaken
Town of Shandaken For additional Forest Rangers in Review stories, visit the press release page on DEC's website. 2023 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge
For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State—including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves—from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), along with the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center. The Upper Esopus Fire Tower allows visitors who may not otherwise be able to undertake the challenging hike of several miles to experience a fire tower on the high peaks in the Catskills. Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo or selfie via a web form or to the designated email inbox: CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 7, 2024. With DEC giving participants a full year to complete the challenge, hikers can take their time. Hikers are reminded to practice Leave No Trace™ principles and to Love Our NY Lands by recreating safely, sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level. For more information about the fire towers and challenge rules, visit DEC’s website. Clean Your Boat Before You Float
Boats, trailers, waders and other fishing and boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. State law requires boaters to take these steps before launching their watercraft into public waterbodies. Although some invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be easily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please use these guidelines: For more information on how to be a responsible boater, visit DEC’s website. |
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| Basil Seggos, Commissioner | |