General Permits for Storm Recovery may be issued for affected regions of the state for non-emergency cleanup and repair work necessitated by severe storms which may include heavy rains, flash flooding, thunderstorms, etc.
Great Lakes Erosion Control: General Permit Available (GP-0-20-004)
DEC has issued a General Permit (GP-0-20-004) for various shoreline stabilization and structural repair activities in state-regulated waters, wetlands, and coastal erosion hazard areas along Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Niagara River, and St. Lawrence River. The Great Lakes Erosion Control General Permit (GP-0-20-004) was issued on May 8, 2020 for a five-year term in response to recurring high-water events in these systems and the ongoing need for affected property owners to install shoreline stabilization measures and repair damaged property.
Before doing any work under the General Permit, individuals must apply for coverage under the General Permit and then receive written approval from DEC for the work proposed.
For further information, please contact your Regional Permit Administrator. See the NYS Lake Ontario Flooding webpage for additional flooding information and resources.
New York State Programmatic General Permit (NYSPGP-1)
DEC and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have issued a New York Statewide Programmatic General Permit (NYSPGP-1) for post-storm recovery activities in portions of New York State. When activated following major storm events, NYSPGP-1 authorizes activities to facilitate the recovery and restoration of damaged properties, projects, aquatic resources, and infrastructure. NYSPGP-1 offers one application for the purpose of complying with both agencies' regulations pursuant to the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899 and New York State Environmental Conservation Law, which collectively govern discharge of pollutants into fresh waters, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.
NYSPGP-1 Activation for August 9-10, 2024 Storm Event
DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar issued an Emergency Declaration August 14, 2024, in response to severe weather events on August 9-10, 2024, impacting communities within New York State. DEC and the United States Army Corps of Engineers have activated the New York State Programmatic General Permit for Storm Recovery (NYSPGP-1) for this event.
NYSPGP-1 is currently active for use in the counties listed below for post-storm recovery activities occurring within state and/or federally regulated waters, and wetlands. The period of activation will run from August 14, 2024 plus two years in the following counties:
- Allegany;
- Broome;
- Chemung;
- Chenango;
- Cortland;
- Delaware;
- Essex;
- Franklin;
- Jefferson;
- Lewis;
- Ontario;
- Oswego;
- Schoharie;
- Schuyler;
- Steuben;
- St. Lawrence;
- Tioga; and
- Yates.
View the NYSPGP-1 webpage for a copy of NYSPGP-1, application instructions, and additional information.
