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 2024, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
“DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators protect New York’s air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors,” Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC’s ECOs and Investigators are undertaking to enforce New York’s Environmental Conservation Law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient New York State.”
Short Porgies – Kings County
On Feb. 2, ECOs Maynard, Noble, and Pansini discovered 11 undersized porgies at a fish market in Brooklyn during routine inspections of fish markets across Kings County.
Officer Maynard interviewed the store owner and learned the fish were purchased from a seafood wholesaler in Queens. The ECOs explained to the owner that retailers are required to ensure fish are lawful to sell, no matter how or where the fish were obtained. Officer Maynard issued one ticket to the fish market for unlawfully offering undersized porgies for sale, returnable to Kings County Criminal Court. The owner pled guilty and received a penalty of $150 and a court surcharge of $75.
ECOs Maynard (left) and Noble (right) with short porgies unlawfully offered for sale in Kings County
Bear Bile Pills – New York County
On Feb. 11, ECO Baldwin and Environmental Crimes Investigator Harvey conducted patrols in lower Manhattan focused on stores illegally selling wildlife or items containing wildlife parts or ingredients. The Officers visited one pharmacy selling pills advertised as a homeopathic remedy containing bear bile, according to the label. A store employee offered to sell the pills to the undercover Officers for $55 per box. Bear bile is illegal to possess or sell under New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law. ECO Baldwin informed the store employee of the law and seized the boxes as evidence before ticketing the store for the unlawful sale of wild game.
Stranded Dolphin – Suffolk County
On Feb. 14, ECOs Holliday, McGhee, Seabury, and Simmons responded to reports of a stranded Risso’s dolphin on Little Albert’s Landing Beach in East Hampton. The ECOs, with assistance from members of the New York Marine Rescue Center, moved the dolphin for evaluation. The dolphin died soon after being moved. A necropsy conducted by the Atlantic State Marine Conservation Society indicated the adult male dolphin had succumbed to a possible viral infection and a parasitic infection in its lungs and liver. The dolphin’s worn teeth and scarring on its 9.5-foot carcass also indicated the mammal was likely older, emaciated, and had no presence of food in its digestive tract. Marine animals tend to strand on shore as they approach the end of life. To report a marine mammal that appears sick or injured, please contact the New York Stranding Hotline 631-369-9829.
ECOs and members of New York Marine Rescue Center move dolphin found stranded in Suffolk County
Reachin’ Out – Richmond County
On Feb. 15, ECOs Clinger, Maynard, and Noble presented to approximately 50 youth and their parents at a public outreach event at the Zimmer Club on Staten Island. The Officers spoke about several topics including firearm safety and the daily duties of an ECO. A standout part of the presentation involved Officers educating attendees about confiscated pellets, ivory, and wildlife skulls seized during investigations of the unlawful possession or sale of wildlife or wildlife parts. The Officers also left the school-aged children with activity books as a parting gift for their attention and participation.
ECOs Noble (left) and Maynard (right) at event in Richmond County
ECO Zullo Honored - Suffolk County
On Feb. 20, ECO Zullo was honored for service to his community on the North Fork of Long Island. Officer Zullo received several awards from community members during the event at Veterans Beach in Mattituck, including an award from the town of Southold for outstanding environmental dedication and accomplishments in protecting the town and its residents from environmental threats. ECO Zullo also received an award recognizing his dedication to conserving and protecting the environment of the East End of Long Island. The awards were presented by the Mattituck Parks District, Orient-East Marion Park District, North Fork Audubon Society, and other members of the North Fork Community.
Captain Gadomski (left) with honoree ECO Zullo (right) at awards ceremony in Suffolk County
Eagle Rescue – Westchester County
On Feb. 22, ECOs Franz and Radomski responded to reports of an injured bald eagle on a trail near Croton Gorge Park in the town of Cortlandt. The complainant advised he was bird watching when he encountered the eagle and gave Officers an approximate location of where the bird was on the trail. ECOs Franz and Radomski located the injured bald eagle in the darkness and safely secured it for transport to Animal Nation, a wildlife rehabilitation facility in nearby South Salem. The facility confirmed the eagle later tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and humanely euthanized the bird.
The New York State Cooperative Wildlife Health Program (WHP) is monitoring the occurrence and impact of HPAI across the state. Confirmed cases are listed on the USDA website and shown on the USGS map. The link for reporting observations can be found on DEC’s website.
The public should strongly consider that groups of birds found deceased are HPAI positive and should follow safety protocols found at the CDC website to reduce contact. HPAI cases have been confirmed across the state. DEC recommends people avoid direct exposure to dead and sick birds and follow the proper guidelines.
ECO Radomski with bald eagle rescued near Croton Gorge Park in Westchester County
Dirty Deeds – Westchester County
On Feb. 22, ECOs Franz, Radomski, and Schuck responded to a complaint of more than 20 loads of dirt waste dumped in the backyard of a residence in Valhalla. The Officers arrived at the location and immediately observed the dirt contained a mixture of asphalt, brick, ceramic, dimensional lumber, and glass. As ECOs investigated, a truck full of more dirt backed into the driveway to dump another load. The Officer processed the scene, conducting interviews and collecting evidence of contamination throughout the loads of dirt, and determined the waste transporter did not have the required registration to transport fill material. ECOs issued tickets to the trucking company, driver, excavator operator, and owner of the property, as well as the contractor that arranged for the delivery. Tickets included unlawful disposal of solid waste, soil brokering, waste transporter permit violations, and operation of a solid waste management facility without a permit.
ECOs investigate unlawful dumping in the hamlet of Valhalla, Westchester County
Ice Fishing Fun – Schoharie County
On Feb. 26, ECOs Bohling, Burgess, Curinga, and Fetterman participated in a youth ice fishing clinic at Summit Lake in Schoharie County with assistance from Schoharie County Sheriffs, DEC Fisheries employees, and the Schoharie County Youth Bureau. More than 40 sixth through twelfth graders from the Schoharie County Central School District attended the fishing clinic. The day began with a presentation on New York’s ice fishing regulations, species in Summit Lake, ice safety, and an overview of the equipment needed before setting out. Students then grabbed their gear, loaded buses, and met with DEC employees down by the lake. Staff provided jig rods, bait, tip-ups, and advice to first-time anglers and anyone else who needed it. The New York Conservation Officers Association assisted with providing lunch to the participants and many students successfully caught their first-ever fish.
ECOs participate in youth ice fishing clinic in Schoharie County
Alleged Rusty Roll-off – Westchester County
On March 4, ECO Schuck observed pieces of plastic falling from the roll-off container attached to a waste transport truck in Peekskill. Officer Schuck pulled the truck over and observed the roll-off container was significantly rusted in several locations, which allowed garbage and garbage leachate to fall into the roadway. The ECO charged the transporter with unlawfully transporting an uncovered load of solid waste and depositing a noisome/unwholesome substance on a public highway.
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).
