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Regulations and Enforcement

State laws contain mandates to protect the public health and safety. DEC implements and enforces these legislative mandates, which are the fundamental source of the department's powers.

As with all laws, the ECL typically is made up of broad provisions that need to be defined and made explicit. DEC accomplishes this through rules and regulations that define who is bound by the law, what those people or organizations must do (or must not do), and what the consequences will be if they fail to meet their responsibilities. It is DEC's job to draft, promulgate, maintain and enforce environmental regulations.

Regulations are drafted by experts in environmental or natural resource fields, with input from the regulated community and the general public. DEC presents all proposed regulations for public comment, a process that often includes public hearings. After revisions in response to the comments, the regulations are officially promulgated and their provisions acquire the force of law.

On this website you will find:

  • The full text of current and proposed DEC regulations
  • Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), containing all proposed DEC guidance and policy which impact the rights of the public
  • Notice of public comment periods and hearings relating to regulations

Regulatory Guidance

Once regulations are in place, DEC often provides further guidance to help the regulated community comply. This guidance is offered

through official policy and guidance documents. Many programs also offer guidance through publications and training sessions.

On this website you will find:

  • Most DEC guidance and policy documents
  • Information to help small businesses comply (organized in the Environmental Laws section)
  • Notice of meetings and training sessions relating to regulations and guidance

Enforcing Environmental Regulations

When a violation occurs, DEC enforcement and legal personnel develop the case and order compliance, in many cases also imposing penalties against the violator. Some violations lead to enforcement hearings, which are recorded and a written hearing officer's ruling and Commissioner decision issued. When the permit review process triggers formal hearings, the DEC Commissioner issues a written decision that either approves the permit, approves with conditions, or denies the permit.

On this website you will find:

  • Instructions for citizens who want to report poachers, polluters or any violation of environmental law
  • Information about the police arm of environmental enforcement in New York State, Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers
  • An archive covering 14 years of Commissioner's decisions and rulings, most of which reflect the outcome of hearings

More about Regulations and Enforcement:

  • Regulations - New York State Register and Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR).
  • Proposed Regulations - A list of all regulations that are currently proposed or undergoing emergency adoption by the NYSDEC
  • Regulatory Agenda - This lists the regulations that may be proposed for adoption or amendment within this calendar year. The listing is a requirement of the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA)
  • Contacts for DEC Regulations - How to contact the program or division responsible for each DEC regulation
  • About Environmental Laws - Environmental related laws
  • Guidance and Policy Documents - Available guidance and policy documents from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Law Enforcement - Enforcing environmental laws; compliance; Environmental Conservation Officers and special enforcement units
  • Forest Rangers - Forest rangers protect public and private forest lands and the people who use these lands.
  • Hearings and Decisions - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Office of Hearings and Mediation Services
  • Regional Enforcement Coordination - Regional Enforcement Coordination's principle charge is to act as a liaison between the Office of General Counsel and the various Department programs, as well as external parties, to ensure the enforcement process, and any subsequent requisite corrective and/or remedial action, is handled and completed in a timely and appropriate manner.