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About DEC

DEC Mission

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was created on July 1,1970 to bring together in a single agency all state programs directed toward protecting and enhancing the environment.

Mission: "To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."

DEC's goal is to achieve this mission by embracing the elements of sustainability - the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.

See the "Related Links" at right for:

  • DEC's history
  • Current priority issues
  • DEC's major areas of responsibility established under the Environmental Conservation Law
  • A biography of Commissioner Pete Grannis

How DEC is Organized

DEC is headed by a Commissioner, who is assisted by executive managers. The department is divided into 17 divisions and offices and further organized into bureaus to carry out the functions and regulations established by Title 6 of New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (6NYCRR). Some programs are also governed by federal law. See DEC's organizational chart (PDF, 21 kb).

Central Office and Regional Offices

DEC's central office is in Albany. There are nine regions, each with a regional office serving the communities within its boundaries. Approximately 3,500 DEC staff work in either the central or regional offices.

Locating Your Region and Regional Office

To locate your region, use this map or see the list below of counties that are in each region. Click on the region links to get more information about that regional office.

Region 1: Nassau and Suffolk counties

Region 2: Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island

Region 3: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties

Region 4: Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie counties

Region 5: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties

Region 6: Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and St. Lawrence counties

Region 7: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga and Tompkins counties

Region 8: Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates counties

Region 9: Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming counties

Contacting DEC

Your DEC regional office is the first place to call for specific questions and issues including obtaining and renewing DEC permits, reporting environmental problems and finding the best places to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. Contact the Central Office with general questions about DEC policies and regulations.

More about About DEC:

  • Contact Us - Program, regional directories; reporting problems; obtaining documents; 800 numbers
  • Divisions - Links to pages describing DEC's divisions
  • Regions - Find your DEC region and regional office
  • Office Directions - Directions to DEC's Central,regional and sub-offices. Parking at the Central Office
  • Commissioner - Contact information and background on DEC's commissioner. DEC history and current priorities
  • Boards and Commissions - Independent advisory groups; professional groups in which DEC participates
  • Using this Website - Background and policies regarding DEC's web content and applications
  • Employment - Information about permanent and seasonal employment, internships and volunteer opportunities