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 Winter 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.
It's our best sale of the year! From Black Friday through Christmas Eve, you can get 6 issues of Conservationist magazine for only $6.00! For an even better deal, why not sign up for 3 years (18 issues) for only $15.00 - less than $1 per issue. Conservationist makes the perfect gift for all of the nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in your life. The offer is good for current and new subscriptions. If you are a current subscriber or already give a gift, the issues will be added to your subscription or gift subscription(s). This offer is valid for United States subscriptions only. For more information, visit the Conservationist webpage.
What's the best way to bring in the New Year? By joining a First Day Hike, of course! Join us outside with a First Day Hike on January 1, 2025, at one of the many events being held across the state and nation. DEC, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (State Parks), and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State. To find event locations and registration information, visit our webpage.
Seeking bird enthusiasts: DEC is looking for volunteers to participate in our Winter Raptor Survey in DEC Region 4 (Greene, Columbia, Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery, Delaware, and Otsego). The survey is designed to identify habitats used by bird species, especially those that are threatened or endangered. The data will be used to help guide future conservation and protection efforts. Stationary surveys are completed on a weekly schedule from mid-November to late April and survey sites are located across the nine counties that make up DEC Region 4. The survey is a 1.5-hour commitment beginning one hour before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunset. To sign up and learn more, please email [email protected].
Calling all photographers – DEC is now accepting photos for the annual Arbor Day Poster contest! Each year, DEC's Urban and Community Forestry Program coordinates the contest to promote the value of trees in the environment and New Yorkers' lives. The winner of the contest will have their photo or artwork reproduced as the 2025 Arbor Day Poster to commemorate the holiday. DEC is accepting original photograph and artwork submissions on behalf of the committee until 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2024. Entries must feature trees in New York State and be submitted through the online poster contest submission form.
- The newest season of the “DEC Does What?!” podcast is airing now! The podcast spotlights the important work of DEC experts working to protect New Yorkers and the state’s environment. Hosted by DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald, this bi-weekly podcast also includes an update on environmental news and recent DEC initiatives. To learn more, visit the podcast 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.
- 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.
