The 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 2023, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 101,500 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,932 complaints and working on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
“Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators serving in DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement are working tirelessly across the state to protect natural resources and public safety while holding poachers and polluters accountable,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “DEC looks forward to continuing to work with our local, State, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure compliance with New York’s stringent environmental conservation laws and promote the safe and responsible enjoyment of the outdoors.”
Invasive Snail Trail through Prospect Park – Kings County
On May 7, ECOs Kortz and Clinger responded to reports from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation about an invasive Achatina fulica (giant African land snail) in Prospect Park. A City Parks employee advised someone had surrendered the snail to their wildlife department in a box. Although it is not clear how the snail made its way into New York State, DEC reminds the public that possession of giant African land snails is prohibited in New York because of their status as an invasive species. The snails are concerning due to their ability to consume more than 500 different types of plants. In addition, the snails are a potential risk to public health because they can carry a parasite that causes meningitis. Learn more about New York State Invasive Species Regulations on the DEC website.
ECO Kortz with invasive giant African land snail discovered in Brooklyn
Plastic Bag Bust – Kings County
On May 16, ECO Rappold conducted plastic bag compliance checks at multiple stores throughout Brooklyn. ECO Rappold issued written warnings for various offenses including the unlawful distribution of plastic bags, failure to possess a film plastic recycling bin, and failure to possess proper signage for the recycling bins. The compliance checks are part of an ongoing joint enforcement initiative between ECOs in the New York City area and DEC’s Division of Materials Management to bring stores into compliance. While the vast majority of stores are complying with New York’s Bag Waste Reduction Act, Investigators continue to be responsive to public complaints to help further reduce plastic waste in the environment.
DEC and DOT Team Up to Stop Illegal Dumper – Nassau County
On the afternoon of May 22, New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway Supervisor Mallen observed a subject in a white van with Connecticut license plates dump fill material at a southbound exit of the Meadowbrook Parkway in Freeport. Mallen attempted to follow the van, but the driver sped off when they noticed he was being followed. Mallen reported the illegal dump to ECO Pabes and reported a separate dump pile of the same fill material at a northbound exit of the parkway. Using evidence collected at both locations, Officer Pabes tracked down the subject at his residence in Freeport for further investigation. The Officer issued the subject a Notice of Violation for illegal disposal of solid waste, which carries a penalty of up to $15,000.
Piles of fill material dumped along Meadowbrook Parkway in Freeport
Timber Theft Felony Arrest – Allegany County
A town of Almond man is facing felony charges stemming from a two-year illegal logging operation and theft of trees from a property in the town of West Almond. On May 24, ECOs charged the subject with four felonies, including two counts of grand larceny of property more than $3,000 and two counts of criminal mischief. The subject also faces two Environmental Conservation Law misdemeanor charges for illegally taking the trees of another. The case is one of the largest alleged timber thefts in Western New York in recent years.
The investigation began in Spring 2023 when a property owner discovered individuals illegally logging his rural property. ECO Koepf responded to the location and discovered a full logging crew actively working on the property. The Officer immediately halted the operation and contacted Investigators with DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI). ECO Koepf, BECI Officers, and Foresters from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests launched an extensive investigation that determined the subject allegedly stole more than 280 trees between 2022 and 2023. The subject was released on appearance tickets and will have his case heard in Allegany County Court.
Subject Revived from Drug Overdose – Greene County
On May 25, ECO Palmateer was on patrol and heard a Greene County 911 call about an unconscious subject who potentially overdosed on drugs in the town of Coxsackie. Officer Palmateer was only minutes away and responded to the location. He found the subject lying unconscious on the kitchen floor of the residence with the caller attempting first aid. The caller stated the subject used heroin and was not breathing. ECO Palmateer began chest compressions and administered Naloxone (NARCAN), a medication designed to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, to the subject. After a few minutes, the unconscious individual began to breathe. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived a short time later and took over medical treatment. Naloxone is DEC reminds the public that New York State’s Good Samaritan Laws encourages anyone to call 911 when they see or experience a drug or alcohol overdose.
Burmese Python Possession – Kings County
On May 26, ECO Pansini received a report from New York City Parks Enforcement about several individuals in possession of large snakes on the Coney Island Boardwalk who were charging passers by money to take photos with the reptiles. Officer Pansini arrived at the location, approached the snake handlers, and discovered at least one of the snakes was an almost 12-foot-long Burmese python. In New York, Burmese pythons are listed as a dangerous reptile and DEC requires permits to possess or exhibit the snakes. The Officer took photos of the snakes for positive identification and forwarded them to a reptile expert who confirmed that two of the snakes were Burmese pythons. ECOs seized the snakes and issued tickets for possessing dangerous reptiles without a permit. The seized snakes were transferred to a licensed reptile sanctuary. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement reminds members of the public to report the exploitation of these dangerous animals.
One of two illegally possessed Burmese pythons seized from Coney Island in Kings County
Trapped Raccoons – Bronx County
Over Memorial Day Weekend, ECO Ableson and Lieutenant Levanway were performing marine fishing enforcement in Bronx beach communities and received a complaint about a pair of raccoons in a lobster trap left behind in a marina parking lot. The Officers responded and released the animals from confinement. The raccoons ran off unharmed.
Raccoons released from lobster trap in Bronx County
Anhydrous Ammonia Leak Prosecution – Orleans County
Earlier this year, a property management company in Rochester was sentenced in the Town of Yates Court for causing the release of a substance hazardous to public health and the environment. The investigation began June 18, 2022, when ECO Fonda observed an open door at the facility in Lyndonville while patrolling the area. The Officer investigated and located a large leak of anhydrous ammonia coming from the cold storage facility. The Lyndonville Fire Department, Niagara County HAZMAT team, and DEC Spill Response responded to the incident and Investigators from the Division of Law Enforcement’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI) handled the investigation that led to a conviction, site cleanup, and restitution in the case. As part of the sentence, the company was ordered to pay $12,950 in restitution to the Niagara County HAZMAT team and the Lyndonville Fire Department, as well as $54,000 in cleanup costs. The Orleans County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
Anhydrous ammonia tank discovered leaking at property management facility in Orleans County
Arrests for Spill – Allegany County
On May 27, ECOs in Allegany County charged a pair of brothers from Adams Well Service, Inc., for causing the spill of crude oil into Foster Creek, which flows into the Allegheny River. DEC first received reports of the spill to the DEC Spill Hotline in August 2023 and its impacts included the death of a family of beavers. DEC’s regional Spill Responder experts oversaw the completion of the cleanup. ECO Calanni, BECI, and a DEC Unmanned Aircraft System (drone) team also began an investigation into the oil and gas well spill, leading to the arrests of the two brothers from the town of Bolivar. They faced charges including polluting waters in contravention of standards, discharge without a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit, failure to report bulk spills of a liquid pollutant, and discharge without a permit. On June 20, the brothers appeared in Genesee Town Court and as part of a plea agreement, one man pleaded guilty to a count of discharging a pollutant into waters of New York State without a SPDES permit, a misdemeanor. The subject paid $300 and received a one-year conditional discharge.
DEC Unmanned Aircraft System photo of affected waterway with containment underway in Allegany County
A DEC contractor places oil absorbent pads to contain oil spill in Allegany County
Break for Whales – Atlantic Ocean
On May 29, ECO Pansini of the New York City Marine Enforcement Unit, along with ECOs Ableson and Milliron, conducted regulatory inspections of lobster gear in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. To prevent whales and other marine mammals from becoming entangled in lines, federal regulations require lobster traps joined to marking buoys to have specially designed breakaway segments that separate rather than entrap an animal. ECOs routinely work alongside federal agents with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to patrol and enforce federal law in federally regulated waters outside the statutory border of New York State.
ECO Milliron conducts regulatory inspections of lobster gear in open waters of the Atlantic Ocean
Salmon Stocking on Lake George – Warren County
On May 30 and 31, Lieutenant Higgins and ECOs Brassard and Newell assisted DEC fisheries employees with stocking Atlantic salmon in Lake George. Each year, salmon are stocked in hopes they will grow large enough to be enjoyed by the many anglers who fish the lake. The small yearling salmon from the Adirondack Fish Hatchery in Lake Clear are stocked by boat to reduce predation by larger fish hunting in shallower water. The Lake George Park Commission and volunteers also participated in the stocking.
ECO Brassard assists with stocking Atlantic salmon in Lake George
Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby – Saratoga County
On June 1, 36 children participated in the Special Needs Fishing Derby in Saratoga County. ECO Shaw launched the event in 2012 and continues to coordinate the Fishing Derby to create opportunities for young people of all abilities to enjoy fishing. Since then, ECO Shaw partners with the 4-H Training Center in Saratoga County, local businesses, and community members to hold the event each year. The young participants are also treated to a free lunch.
A young angler shows off his catch at annual Special Needs Fishing Derby in Saratoga County
Reckless Fire – Erie County
On June 1, an Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy requested ECO assistance at a location in the town of Concord for a large bonfire posing a danger. ECO Damrath responded to the area and observed a local fire department attempting to extinguish a fire just 25 feet from a structure. The fire starter claimed he was just burning brush, but Officer Damrath investigated and discovered remnants of a demolished house, solid waste, and logs far exceeding the size allowed by State regulations. ECO Damrath charged the subject with unlawful open burn and the Sheriff’s Deputy charged him with reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors.
The smoldering remains of unlawful fire in Concord
Timber Rattlesnake in the Front Yard – Delaware County
On June 4, ECOs Doig and Osborne responded to a timber rattlesnake report in the town of Hancock. The caller discovered the four-foot snake just feet from his house and called for help. Officers Doig and Osborne, who is a member of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement Wildlife Response Team, arrived with protective snake gear and utilized snake tongs to safely remove the timber rattlesnake from the homeowner’s yard for release back into the wild. Timber rattlesnakes are one of three venomous snake species native to New York State. These snakes are generally found in small, localized areas, and are considered a threatened species protected by State law. A video of the snake removal is available.
ECO Osborne removes timber rattlesnake from home in the town of Hancock, Delaware County
2023 Central Pine Barrens Officer of the Year – Suffolk County
ECO Kaufherr, who works on Long Island, recently received the “Officer of the Year” award from the Central Pine Barrens Commission Law Enforcement Council. Each year, Law Enforcement Council member agencies nominate an Officer from their agency for the distinguished award. ECO Kaufherr was selected for his significant contribution to environmental enforcement efforts, including many multi-agency All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) details responsible for numerous ATV impounds and associated tickets, as well as his involvement in apprehending several illegal dumping subjects. As members of the Central Pine Barrens Commission Law Enforcement Council, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement participates in approximately 20 ATV enforcement details a year, as well as other environmental protection initiatives throughout the Central Pine Barrens area on Long Island.
ECO Kaufherr receives Pine Barrens Commission Law Enforcement Council “Officer of the Year Award” from Captain Gadomski
Fishing Compliance Checks – Suffolk, Chemung, Long Island Sound
From grilling bass to carting clams, fishing compliance checks netted violators in several counties across New York State. Here are some of the more notable cases ECOs encountered:
- On May 1, ECO Kaufherr checked popular fishing locations along the north shore of Long Island, Suffolk County, and encountered two individuals at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook with four undersized striped bass in a backpack. The Officer also found the remains of another striped bass recently cooked at the anglers’ fishing location. Officer Kaufherr issued tickets to the anglers for possessing undersized striped bass and taking striped bass over than the daily limit. Later that night, the ECO observed another angler in possession of three undersized striped bass. That individual received tickets, as well, all of which are returnable to Suffolk First District Court.
- In early May, ECO Lifrieri received information about an angler possibly taking muskellunge (muskie) out of season in Chemung County. The angler posted a picture of his catch on a local website and received immediate blowback from people online who claimed he should have released the fish because it was caught in April, before the start of muskie (June) and tiger muskie (May) seasons. Officer Lifrieri conducted an investigation and ticketed the angler for fishing without a New York State recreational fishing license and taking/possessing a muskie out of season.
- On May 24, ECOs Swart and Keegan responded to Corona, Queens, for a report of people selling seafood out of a pick-up truck. The Officers arrived at the location and discovered the seafood, imported from Ecuador, being sold without the proper tagging to indicate where they were harvested, which is required in New York State to ensure food safety. ECOs confiscated 157 pounds of clams and issued tickets to subjects for selling clams without the proper paperwork.
- On June 3, ECO Godson and Lieutenant Fay conducted compliance checks on charter captains catching salmon, steelhead, and brown trout on Lake Ontario near Oak Orchard Creek. The Officers boarded one vessel and observed four clients fishing without New York State fishing licenses and fish filets with no skin. ECOs charged the foursome with fishing without a valid New York State fishing license and ticketed the charter captain with unlawfully filleting fish (skin must remain attached so species is identifiable). The defendants are due for arraignment in the Town of Carlton Court in July.
- On June 7, ECOs Paschke and Zullo conducted a targeted enforcement patrol in the eastern Long Island Sound at the Connecticut and New York State boundary focused on illegal black sea bass fishing in New York waters. Officers Paschke and Zullo checked several fishing vessels during the detail, most of which were from Connecticut where opening season for black sea bass opened May 18 versus in New York where the season begins June 23. The ECOs seized 72 black sea bass, one striped bass, and two summer flounder, and issued 30 tickets, all returnable to either the Southold Town Justice Court or Riverhead Town Justice Court.
Half-eaten, undersized striped bass caught illegally in Suffolk County
Screenshot of picture posted online of muskie caught out of season in Chemung County
Illegal clams offered for sale in Queens County
ECO Zullo with fish seized during black sea bass enforcement detail on Long Island Sound
Washed Away Loon – Wayne County
On June 17, ECO Johnston responded to reports of a distressed loon at the Macedon Fire Department near Lock 30 on the Erie Canal in Wayne County. It appeared the bird, known for swimming and diving, was washed onto a roadway, possibly by strong rains. Officer Johnston did a quick assessment of the loon to check for injuries, carried it back to the canal after finding nothing of concern, and released it back to its natural habitat.
ECO Johnston with loon washed ashore in Wayne County before returning it unharmed to the Erie Canal
To contact an ECO to report an environmental crime or to report an incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS for 24-hour dispatch or email (for non-urgent violations).
