Clean air to breathe. Clean water to drink. Lakes and streams, parks and playgrounds for everyone to enjoy. A cleaner and greener New York is everyone's job.
DEC encourages you to get involved especially when environmental decisions are being made that will impact you, your family and community. Your opinion matters and you can be part of the process. In fact, in some cases, it's actually the law that you be notified about environmental projects that directly impact you.
Public Meetings and Hearings
The DEC holds many public meetings and hearings throughout the year that allow for public input on various environmental topics. Below is a list of DEC meeting formats that explain the differences for each and how you may participate.
- Public Meetings - Public meetings are typically scheduled when DEC programs have information to describe a plan of action in a location such as a wildlife management plan, proposed updates to unit management plans, brownfields or other site remediation projects, or other Department initiative. These meetings can serve to update the public on the current status of a local project or program and to get public input on proposals so that the Department can choose an appropriate remedy or action that meets local needs. A presentation will often be followed by a question-and-answer session. These meetings are held virtually or in person. For meetings and hearings at DEC's Central Office on 625 Broadway in Albany, NY, please review security and parking information (PDF).
- Availability Sessions - Availability sessions are held when DEC programs plan to discuss several topic areas of interest related to a project at one time. These sessions are often held in partnership with other NYS agencies or local governments. Multiple stations are set up in an auditorium or large meeting room with DEC program staff available at each station representing specific areas of interest. The advantage of this type of public session is that it allows for a one-on-one interaction, with staff discussing a particular topic relating to the project, such as water or air quality, with individual members of the public. These sessions are held in person. Learn more about availability sessions by watching our YouTube video.
- Legislative (Public Comment) and Rule Making Hearings - Legislative (public comment) and rulemaking hearings are designed to take unsworn oral statements from the public regarding projects or proposals before the DEC. These include, for example, rulemakings proposing amendments to the DEC's regulations, permit applications under DEC review, and various actions under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), such as scoping sessions and public comment on draft environmental impact statements. Legislative hearings may also be scheduled to address policy issues relating to energy, environmental justice, and climate change. These hearings, which are held virtually or in person, are often facilitated by an administrative law judge.
Adjudicatory Hearings - Adjudicatory hearings are formal, trial-like proceedings that are presided over by an administrative law judge. The two main types are administrative enforcement hearings and permit hearings. Participants in adjudicatory hearings include Department staff and witnesses, respondents (in enforcement hearings) or permit applicants, and their attorneys, consultants, and witnesses. The hearings may be held virtually or in person.
For Legislative (Public Comment), Rule Making Hearings, and Adjudicatory (Permit) Hearings, notices of the hearings are published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), DEC public calendar and in local newspapers. Sometimes the notice will also be published in a foreign language. The notice contains relevant information on the project or subject, directions on the date, time and how to participate in the hearing, as well as deadline dates for written comments and contact information for submitting written comments.
For a list of public meetings and hearings across New York State, please see our meetings and hearings calendar.
How to Participate in a Virtual Public Meeting
DEC has been hosting virtual meetings on Cisco Webex, a virtual meeting platform, which is similar to Zoom. Some meetings may require you to register beforehand, after which you will receive the log in information by email. If no registration is required, the information on how to join the meeting should be provided within the meeting announcement.
For detailed instructions, please view the 'How to Join a Webex' instructions (PDF) or check out our video on YouTube.
Foreign Language and Sign Language Interpretation
Foreign language and sign language interpretation can be provided at no charge with 14 days advance notice to the meeting host or via email. If you need help in a foreign language to register, please see our language assistance web page.
Get Involved in DEC's Summer Outreach Initiatives
Want more ways to get involved? DEC offers a wide array of different programs for the public to participate in - check out the list of current initiatives below. This list is updated regularly.
- Join us for Adirondack and Catskill Park Day on Saturday, September 7, 2024! DEC, in partnership with Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), will host stewardship events throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks for the public to participate in. Help celebrate and protect New York’s unique Forest Preserve lands by removing invasive species, cleaning up campgrounds, repairing fencing, building trails, and so much more! For more information, visit the Event page.
- Your voice matters – join us for Freshwater Wetlands Jurisdiction and Classification Public Hearings. Two virtual hearings will be held on Tuesday, September 10 at 1 PM and 6 PM. An in-person hearing will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 1 PM at DEC’s Central Office at 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233. The proposed rulemaking would amend 6 NYCRR Part 664, Freshwater Wetlands Maps and Classification regulations to implement amendments to the Freshwater Wetlands Act that take effect January 1, 2025. The rule making would define key terms, improve the freshwater wetland classification system, establish criteria for the identification of Wetlands of Unusual Importance, and establish procedures related to jurisdictional determinations.
- Have you ever wanted to try fishing? Now is your chance! Saturday, September 28, 2024 is designated a free fishing day for National Hunting and Fishing Day. This offers the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, for getting back into the sport after taking a break, or for taking a friend or the whole family along to fish! For more information, visit our Learn to Fish webpage.
- The first ever Fish and Wildlife Day is on Saturday, September 28, 2024! DEC, in partnership with State Parks and Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), will host stewardship and educational events across the state to celebrate wildlife conservation and protect New York wildlife. Help plant native species and remove invasive plants to foster healthy wildlife habitat at a nearby State Park, learn how to build and repair bird houses that will benefit species at a Wildlife Management Area, or pair your stewardship efforts with a birding or nature walk that highlights the importance of wildlife conservation. For more information, visit the Event page.
- Calling all private forest landowners: $500,000 in funding is now available through the State’s ‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. The grant program assists private landowners with growing the next generation of resilient forests to mitigate climate change, provide wildlife habitat, protect air and water quality, and supply a critical renewable resource. Funded projects will enhance efforts made through Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious 25 Million Trees Initiative to restore and sustain New York’s natural landscapes. For more information, visit the Regenerate NY webpage.
- DEC lands and facilities offer many recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities including camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, hiking, and nature viewing. Explore the new DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations Map to locate wheelchair accessible features at education centers, campgrounds and day use areas, waterway access sites, and land areas.
- Plan ahead: From May 1 through October 31, reservations will be required to access the parking lot, trailheads, and trails located on the privately owned 7,000-acre Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) property in the town of Keene in the Adirondack High Peaks region. For a list of frequently asked questions and to book your spot, visit the AMR website.
- Spread the word, not the species! If you're planning to visit New York’s waters, remember to Clean, Drain, Dry your boats, trailers, fishing gear, and other equipment before recreating to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. For more information on how you can protect our waterbodies, visit our Clean Drain Dry webpage.
- Be aware of your air quality before heading outdoors this summer! Check out DEC’s Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast for New York State webpage or call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1 (800) 535-1345.
- Ready… Set… BIRD! The 2024 I BIRD NY Challenge is now open to all ages and ends on Nov. 1, 2024. Use your observation skills and join the annual Challenge by identifying any 10 bird species of your choosing in New York State. Participants who successfully complete this fun challenge, will be awarded a commemorative patch, can download a completion certificate, and be entered into a drawing for great birding prizes! For more information, check out our I Bird NY Challenge press release.
- Participate in the 2024 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge! Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Entries must be postmarked by January 6, 2025. For information on how to participate, visit the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge webpage.
- Planning a home improvement project? NYS has a program where you can drop off unused paint for reuse and recycling. View a list of drop-off locations near you.
Contact Information
Looking for information on who to contact at DEC? Check out DEC's Contact Us page to find points of contact for our various programs, such as sporting license sales, camping reservations, etc.
