Environmental News and Events for Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties (Region 8)

In this issue:

• Region 8 Forest Rangers Remember Raymond Murray's Contributions to Fire Protection
• DEC Announces Trapping Permits Now Available for Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, and John White Wildlife Management Areas
• Region 8 on the Job
• DMM Program Policy 7: Biosolids Recycling in New York State
• DEC Climate Justice Working Group to Meet
• $100 Million Available for Zero-Emission School Buses 
• Region 8 Forest Rangers Attend "Climb Aboard" Event in the Village of Victor, Ontario County
• Staff Spotlight: Michael Palermo

Region 8 Forest Rangers Remember Raymond Murray's Contributions to Fire Protection

The first DEC Forest Ranger killed in the line-of-duty was Ranger Raymond Murray. On October 9, 1970, he was on a plane that crashed on takeoff during a forest fire aerial detection flight mission. 2023 is the 53rd anniversary of his death. He left behind a wife, and two daughters, ages 18 and 20.

Photo: Raymond Murray, taken in 1950 as a new Forest Ranger. Photo provided by the Murray sisters and used with permission.

Ranger Murray's daughters, Pamela Murray and Christine Murray English recently visited their father's memorial at Steuben County Civil Defense & Fire Training Center in Bath, New York.

They shared stories of how much their father loved working as a DEC forest ranger. He loved it so much he built a scale model of a forest tower and observation deck to educate people who attended the Great NYS Fair. He was also a volunteer firefighter and a small business entrepreneur. He was very well known for his commitment to his community and his family.

In attendance, pictured left to right, are DEC Forest Ranger Staples; Timothy Marshall, Steuben County Director of Public Safety; Ranger Carpenter; Christine Murray English and Pamela Murray, and Retired Forest Ranger Jim Carpenter. Jim Carpenter is the first recipient of the Raymond Murray Award. Carpenter’s son is currently a DEC Forest Ranger.

Today, DEC Rangers have an opportunity to receive an award named in his honor that recognizes acts of valor, courage, integrity, and bravery in the protection of our natural resources of public safety.

Photo: The fire tower platform model created by Raymond Murray for the Great New York State Fair.

DEC Announces Trapping Permits Now Available for Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, and John White Wildlife Management Areas

Permit applications for Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, and John White WMAs can be picked up in person Monday through Friday at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Office located at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by calling DEC at 585-948-5182. Permit applications will be accepted from Oct. 2 to Nov. 30.

Additional information is available in the full press release on DEC's website.

Region 8 on the Job

A Region 8 spill responder overseeing the protection of Lake Ontario from an unknown amount of diesel fuel that made it to the storm sewer system which discharges to the lake.

DMM Program Policy 7: Biosolids Recycling in New York State

DEC has finalized Program Policy 7: Biosolids Recycling in New York State - Interim Strategy for the Control of PFAS Compounds. PFAS is an abbreviation for a group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The policy is effective beginning October 20, 2023.
Learn more about DMM Program Policy 7.

DEC Climate Justice Working Group to Meet

What:  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) 13-member Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. The CJWG is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for the purposes of co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments pursuant to the CLCPA. 

When: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m. ET

Where: Virtual - WebEx meeting and registration link

Webinar password: welcome10.4.23 (93526631 from phones)

Audio: Dial 1-518-549-0500; Access code: 161 531 0875

$100 Million Available for Zero-Emission School Buses

Highlights include:

• First Round of Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act Funding Slated for Zero-Emission School Buses
• Pre-Application Process Launched for Bus Manufacturers and Dealers
• Funding Application Period Opens November 29

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $100 million will be made available on a statewide basis for zero-emission school buses in the first round of funding available for these buses under the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. By utilizing this funding, school districts and bus operators statewide will be able to phase out fossil fuel buses, curb emissions, and make zero-emission buses more affordable. This announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 and Governor Hochul's 2022 State of the State initiative to require all new school buses sold in New York State be zero-emission by 2027 and all school buses on the road be zero-emission by 2035.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released the program rules, officially launching the pre-application process through which bus manufacturers and dealers can apply to qualify for the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP). The program rules will guide the total Bond Act allotment of $500 million for zero-emission school buses and infrastructure. The application process to receive funding will open on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. To provide more information about the NYSBIP goals, guidelines, process, and timelines, NYSERDA will host a webinar on October 11, 2023, at 12 p.m., you can register to attend. For continued program updates, please join this mailing list.

The NYSBIP is a New York State-wide point-of-sale incentive program that provides discounts to eligible school bus fleet operators that purchase zero-emission battery electric (BEV) or hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV) school buses and associated charging infrastructure. Incentives for school buses will be disbursed directly to dealers and manufacturers to offset some or all of the difference in purchase price between zero-emission school buses and comparable diesel or gas-powered buses. Charging infrastructure incentives will also be issued directly to the fleet owner (the school district or their contractor).

The Environmental Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds. In line with this goal, NYSERDA will aim to ensure at least 40 percent of the NYSBIP benefits disadvantaged communities. Buses domiciled in or serving disadvantaged communities and/or high-need school districts will receive consideration for higher incentive amounts.

More details are available in the Governor's full press release.

Region 8 Forest Rangers Attend "Climb Aboard" event in the Village of Victor, Ontario County

On Saturday, September 16th, Forest Rangers Miller and Wickens participated in the “Climb Aboard” event in the Village of Victor, Ontario County. The free community event attracted over 50 large vehicles from fire trucks, construction equipment, school buses, medevac helicopter, military vehicles, police units, and many more. The vehicles were staged so kids of all ages could interact with their operators and climb through the vehicles. Pictured above is Ranger Miller with three junior firefighters who are learning about Smokey Bear and fire safety. Forest Ranger brought the Type 4 engine for demonstration.

Staff Spotlight – Michael Palermo

For this month’s Staff Spotlight, we are featuring Michael Palermo. Michael is a Biologist 1 (Wildlife) in the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Region 8, working in the Avon office. He has been with DEC for 11 years.

What inspired you to work at DEC?
I knew very little about DEC until I was hired as a wildlife technician in Region 1 shortly after undergrad. Everything about that job and learning what the various biologists did really excited me. The broad scope of conservation this agency accomplishes is what inspired me to make a career here. From regulations to research to land management, it is all so important and fulfilling.

What do you do in your current position?
My primary duty is forest management on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Region 8. We have approximately 27,000 acres of forest on WMAs in this region and my job is to plan and implement ways to make the forest better for wildlife. This includes a good balance of time in the field and office. I, and the fantastic forester I work with, put in a lot of effort to learn the good and bad of our current forests and then actively improve the situation. We write management plans to document existing conditions and outline what is needed, and then we make it happen with contracts and in-house projects.

What is one thing you have achieved at work that you are most proud of?
I'm really proud of what the forest management team has accomplished on WMAs during the past eight years. There are several of us statewide that were all hired to implement a program that never existed before. It began as a measure to increase young forest habitat and evolved to a much larger endeavor to address the full range of issues affecting forest habitats on these properties. We've written numerous management plans to draw attention to the incredible habitats on our WMAs and highlight both the good and bad conditions, and we've made meaningful progress addressing issues and actively improving habitat.

What is your favorite DEC property to visit?
Five Ponds Wilderness, without a doubt. I've spent a lot of time playing up there. It's the perfect mix of lengthy trails, paddling, scenic forests and ponds, and a welcome lack of people.