In this issue:
- $12.9 Million Now Available Through New Federal Grant Opportunity to Support Urban and Community Forestry
- DEC to Lead Multi-Agency Effort to Investigate Bottle Bill Fraud
- Living the Green Life: Guide to Living Green this Holiday Season
- Conservationist Makes a Great Holiday Gift
- Share the Woods: Both Hunters and Hikers Recreate on Public Land
- 'Create a Watershed Superhero' Poster Contest for Middle School Students
- Life Jacket Reminder
- Leave No Trace™
- Stay Tick Free
- Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol/Forest Rangers in Review
- Brownfield Cleanup Program
$12.9 Million Now Available Through New Federal Grant Opportunity to Support Urban and Community Forestry
Applications Being Accepted Now Through January 31, 2024
DEC announced that applications are now being accepted for a total of $12.9 million for urban and community forestry projects through the Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunity. Earlier this month Governor Hochul announced the funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program to increase equitable access to healthy trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity.
Applicants may apply for funding under two categories, Community Forest Management Plan Implementation ($10 million) and Ash Tree Management ($2.9 million). The maximum request is $500,000 per application and no match is required. All projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified by any of three Federal and State tools listed in the Request for Applications (RFA) The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
DEC's Urban and Community Forestry program is holding a virtual information session on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to provide information on this limited-time funding opportunity. The information session will cover eligible applicants and projects, application requirements and scoring, and other information that will help applicants plan their projects. Register for this webinar here.
For more information on DEC's Urban and Community Forestry program and the application process for the Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Grants visit DEC's website.
DEC to Lead Multi-Agency Effort to Investigate Bottle Bill Fraud
Examination of Returnable Container Act Fraud Will Help Prevent the Loss of Millions in Revenue and Hold Offenders Accountable
DEC announced a statewide multi-agency effort to help prevent returnable container schemes that defraud the state of millions of dollars each year. This new effort will help uncover practices that prevent bottles and cans without deposits from being redeemed, thus reducing funds that support crucial environmental and other state initiatives.
This new effort will bring together the expertise of multiple state agencies, including law enforcement and technical expertise from the State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF), Department of Agriculture and Markets, State Liquor Authority, and others to work collaboratively on collecting and interpreting data, auditing records, inspecting and certifying redemption and counting equipment, investigating complaints, and preventing or prosecuting fraudulent activities.
New York’s Returnable Container Act, known as the Bottle Bill, is one of the State’s most efficient and successful recycling programs. The Bottle Bill improves litter control, provides relief to overburdened municipal recycling systems, and increases beverage container recycling in New York. Recyclables collected through this program are readily returned for manufacturing of containers and other commodities. The law requires a deposit of at least five cents on containers for carbonated soft drinks, beer and other malt beverages, mineral water, soda water, wine products and water that doesn't contain sugar. A deposit is required on glass, metal, and plastic containers that hold less than one gallon or 3.78 liters.
The Bottle Bill captures an average of five billion beverage containers each year with 250,000 tons of plastic, glass, and aluminum recycled. Since the law went into effect, redemption rates averaged 65 percent, well above the recycling rate for most other packaging and products, and beverage container litter was reduced by 70 percent. These beverage containers are no longer littering roads or waterways and get recycled into new packaging and products.
Additional details on the history of the bottle bill and enforcement can be found in the full DEC press release. More about New York’s Bottle Bill can be found on DEC’s website.
Living the Green Life: Guide to Living Green this Holiday Season
Colder days and holiday seasons are approaching. It's time to prepare for sweater weather and the upcoming seasonal festivities. As we finish out 2023, be sure to keep our environment in mind and look for ways to keep being a friend of the environment. Need some help? We’ve compiled a list of handy holiday/seasonal suggestions to get you started. Visit our Living the Green Life webpage for more details on:
Dining and Entertaining – examples of how you can reduce wasted food and single-use plastics, reuse items in your closet, and more.
Gift Giving – gift suggestions from outdoor recreation experiences to e-gifts.
Recreation – winter recreation opportunities and ideas to do outdoors or at home.
Decorating – options such as using led lights, natural decorations, utilizing textiles, and upcycling to make unique holiday decorations.
Conservationist Makes a Great Holiday Gift!
Trying to find that perfect holiday gift for someone who enjoys the outdoors? Take advantage of our holiday sale and give that special someone a gift subscription to the Conservationist for only $6 for six issues. The sale kicks off on Black Friday and runs through Christmas Eve.
Subscriptions include Conservationist for Kids three times per year, as well as access to the enhanced Digital Edition. Visit DEC's website or call 1-800-678-6399 to subscribe (a promotional code to receive the special holiday price will be announced when the sale begins).
Articles on outdoor adventure and natural science in every issue make the Conservationist the perfect gift. You will also find:
- incredible places to fish, hike, camp, kayak, and explore;
- awesome bird watching and animal photography; and
- exciting natural wonders, right here in New York State.
In the latest issue of the Conservationist, readers will learn about a team of DEC engineers sent to Vermont to conduct safety inspections on dams throughout the state after historic flooding swamped the Green Mountain State. Here in New York, DEC staff are studying biological communities (a.k.a. bugs) in the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. Utilizing some of the same sampling techniques and equipment used in the 1970s, research scientists are evaluating the alterations of conditions of these two major waterways. Readers can also learn how to “recycle right” and restore confidence in recycling, as well as how New York is revitalizing contaminated sites and returning them to productive use through New York’s successful Brownfield Cleanup Program. All this and much more in the latest issue of the Conservationist.
Conservationist, the magazine that brings NATURE to your door!
Share the Woods: Both Hunters and Hikers Recreate on Public Lands
With hunting seasons underway and fall hiking still at its peak, DEC is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to follow safety precautions while recreating this fall and winter. Whether you are a hiker, a nature photographer, a leaf peeper, or a mountain biker, following a few simple safety measures can make your experience as safe as possible while hunters and trappers are afield.
Tips for both hikers and hunters afield this fall:
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re planning to return. If your plans change, notify them.
- Dress for the weather; account for both location and elevation changes.
- Become familiar with the trail you plan on hiking or the area you plan on hunting.
- Wear bright clothing; blaze orange or blaze pink. Bright colors allow others to see you more easily and from farther away.
- Make sure you pack your bag with the 10 Essentials, especially, a light source, map, and first aid kit.
For more tips on sharing the woods this fall, check out the recent video by DEC.
Hikers should be aware that they may meet hunters bearing firearms or archery equipment while hiking on trails. Hunters are fellow outdoor recreationists and hunting is permitted on Forest Preserve and Conservation Easement lands. Hunting accidents involving non-hunters are extremely rare.
If you decide to adventure with your pet, make sure to keep them on a leash. Loose pets can cause problems with other recreators and can get into trouble with wild animals. Also, to make pets more identifiable in the woods, give them a brightly colored collar, leash or other covering. DEC maintains hiking trails and permits hunting in many areas of forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, as well as in state forests, wildlife management areas, and unique areas. Find a place near you by visiting our website, checking out DECinfo Locator, or downloading the NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App. Many trails are also accessible to people with disabilities.
'Create a Watershed Superhero' Poster Contest for Middle School Students
Jan. 12, 2024 Deadline for Poster Submissions
DEC and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) today announced the annual "Create a Watershed Superhero" poster contest for middle school students. The Create a Watershed Superhero poster theme challenges middle school students to create their own superhero to inspire environmental stewardship.
Since 2004, the annual poster contest has encouraged thousands of middle school students across New York State to learn about their role in protecting their local watersheds and how to conserve and safeguard water resources, now and for future generations. This is the third year of the superhero poster contest theme. Previous themes include "We All Live in a Watershed," "Conserve and Protect our Watersheds," and "The Importance of Wastewater Treatment." To participate in the 2023-24 school year contest, New York State teachers, schools, and clubs are advised to visit DEC's website for more information.
Posters will be accepted through Jan. 12, 2024. The 14 winning posters will be featured in DEC and NYWEA's 2025 Annual Calendar.
Additional details are available in the full DEC press release.
Photo: Last year's top winning poster by Mudanvit Goyal from Mildred E Strang Middle School.
Life Jacket Reminder
Just a reminder that from November 1 - May 1, everyone aboard a boat less than 21 feet (including canoes and kayaks) must wear a life jacket while underway.
For more information:
Leave No Trace™
Pay attention to the leaves and trail: As the leaves fall and cover the path, they can make trails hard to follow. Be sure to research your route ahead of time and follow trail markers closely to avoid getting lost or wandering off the trail.
For more information on how to Leave No Trace and to protect the places you recreate, visit the Leave No TraceTM website.
Stay Tick Free
Don't be fooled. Ticks are still out and about. Be sure to follow these recommendations to stay tick-free while enjoying the outdoors:
- Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.
- Wear enclosed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.
- Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.
- Consider using insect repellent.
- Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails, and walk in the center of trails.
- Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
Check out DEC's website for additional tips for tick prevention.
Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol
Fish Compliance Checks - Queens/New York Counties
Angling after hours and illegal fish sales are topping this week's fishing compliance checks across the state:
- On Sept. 21, ECOs Goonan and Swart received a tip reporting individuals selling striped bass from the sidewalk in Flushing, Queens. The ECOs responded to the location under an overpass and found a makeshift stand featuring untagged striped bass for sale. The Officers seized nine fish and issued a New York City summons for the attempted sale.
- On Sept. 28, while conducting routine inspections at fish markets in New York City, ECOs Broughton and Goonan observed an individual selling tautog, AKA blackfish, from the sidewalk during the closed season. The Officers discovered 12 tautog for sale, three times the legal possession limit if the fish were in season. ECOs educated the individual on regulations regarding tautog and issued a ticket returnable to New York City Criminal Court.
Striped bass offered for sale illegally in Queens County
Out-of-season tautog offered for sale illegally in New York City
Bambino Boa - Bronx County
On Sept. 26, while on patrol, ECOs Ableson and Goonan received reports of a large snake in Macombs Dam Park next to Yankee Stadium. The Officers responded to the location with members of the New York Police Department and discovered a group of onlookers around a five-foot boa constrictor. The snake had duct tape around its mouth and was likely an abandoned pet. The Officers transported the constrictor to the Animal Care Centers for New York City; the snake was later placed with a rehabilitator.
Boa constrictor recovered near Yankee Stadium by ECOs
ECO Detains Suspect in Alleged Stabbing Death - Staten Island
On Oct. 6., a member of the public approached ECO Farner in Staten Island and pointed out an alleged suspect believed to be involved in a stabbing incident on an MTA bus. Officer Farner and a retired New York Police Department (NYPD) Sergeant also in the area at the time of the incident approached the juvenile and temporarily restrained him near the intersection of Hylan Boulevard and Littlefield Avenue in Staten Island until members of the NYPD arrived. The suspect was turned over to the NYPD. Police allege the 14-year-old subject fatally stabbed a 13-year-old individual following a dispute.
Radiation Screenings During Half-Marathon - Richmond County
On Oct. 8, ECOs Pansini and Broughton joined members of the Region 2 Marine Unit to conduct radiation screenings at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island at the request of U.S. Park Police during the New York City Half Marathon. Fort Wadsworth encompasses a large portion of the race route with an estimated 10,000 runners passing through the area. Radiation detection provided an added layer of protection for the thousands of runners participating and is regularly conducted by Marine Unit ECOs throughout the Marine District both on water and land.
ECOs at the gate to Fort Wadsworth in Richmond County during New York City Half Marathon
Fishing Compliance Checks Leads to Charges - Kings County
Highlight from a recent fishing compliance check:
- On Oct. 5, Lieutenant Gates, along with ECOs Kortz and Rappold, conducted a plain clothes enforcement detail at Louis Valentino Pier in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and observed two anglers catching blackfish (tautog) out of season. One angler went as far as trying to conceal a flopping blackfish inside his pocket as he walked back to his car. Lt. Gates and Officer Kortz intercepted the fisherman. A search of the angler's vehicle uncovered four more living blackfish in a plastic bin. ECO Rappold nabbed a second angler with two additional blackfish in a cooler. The ECOs issued tickets to both men, returnable to New York County Court, for fishing without a marine registry and possession of blackfish out of season.
Clam Carry-On - Queens County
On Oct. 6, ECO Swart responded to John F. Kennedy International Airport for a report of a traveler attempting to import illegal shellfish. Partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Officer Swart discovered the passenger was attempting to bring 933 blood clams weighing more than 80 pounds into the U.S. in their luggage. The passenger received tickets for possession of untagged shellfish and transporting shellfish from uncertified lands into New York, returnable to Queens County Court.
Blood clams illegally imported through the airport
Forest Rangers in Review
For additional Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol/Forest Rangers in Review stories, visit the press release page on DEC's website.
Brownfield Cleanup Program
Brooklyn
DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application for a site known as 7 Skillman Street, site ID #C224068. This site is located in the borough of Brooklyn, within Kings County, and is located at 7 Skillman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11205. Comment end: November 17, 2023.
More information
City of New York
DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application and Draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan for a site known as 2560-2580 Boston Road, site ID #C203171. This site is located in the City of New York, within Bronx County, and is located at 2560-2580 Boston Road. Comment end: November 17, 2023.
More information
Brooklyn
DEC invites the public to comment about a proposal to address contamination related to the 12074 Flatlands Avenue p/o Lot 1 site #C224353 (Brooklyn, Kings County) within New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. Comment end: November 17, 2023.
More information
Bronx
DEC invites the public to comment about a proposal to address contamination related to the 188 East 135th Street Redevelopment Site #C203156 (Bronx, Bronx County) within New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. Comment end: November 20, 2023.
More information
Manhattan
DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application and Draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan for a site known as 245 West 55th Street, site ID #C231157. This site is located in the Borough of Manhattan, within the County of New York, and is located at 245 West 55th Street. Comment end: December 1, 2023.
More information
Long Island City
DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application and Draft Interim Remedial Measure Work Plan for a site known as Former Prestone Press, site ID #C241264. This site is located in Long Island City, within the Borough of Queens, and is located at 47-50 30th Street. Comment end: December 1, 2023.
More information
Brooklyn
DEC has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application for a site known as Ingraham Street Logistics, site ID #C224393. This site is located in the East Williamsburg Neighborhood of Brooklyn, within the County of Kings, and is located at 450 Johnson Avenue. Comment end: December 8, 2023.
More information
Brooklyn
DEC invites the public to comment about a proposal to address contamination related to the Red Hook 4 Properties site #C224214 (Brooklyn, Kings County) within New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. Comment end: December 23, 2023.
More information
For more Brownfield Cleanup Program information, visit the Calendar of Events on DEC's website.
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