Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2020 Marks DEC’s 50th Anniversary

Nelson Rockefeller signing legislationThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was established in 1970 on the first-ever Earth Day.

In the 50 years since, Adirondackers have seen a revolution in the way we interact with our environment. The Clean Air Act was passed in 1970; in 1971 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was established, followed by the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. The Adirondack Park Agency Act was passed in 1971, and the State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) in 1980, the same year as the Superfund Law. In 1993 the Environmental Protection Fund was established.

Since 1970, the number of seriously polluted waters in the state has fallen dramatically. So has sulfur dioxide pollution (acid rain). Most outdated and poorly located landfills (more than 100 in Adirondacks) have closed and our water has been largely cleaned-up through waste-water management.  Bald Eagle have returned, as have peregrine falcon, ravens,  and osprey. Wild turkey hunting has returned to the Adirondacks, as have native trout. Beaver, fisher, and otter are flourishing. In 1970, there were no Moose in the Adirondacks.

For DEC’s 50th Anniversary the agency will be hosting a year-long celebration in 2020.

In a statement to the press, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “For 50 years, New York State has set the national standard for environmental excellence by advancing ambitious and proactive policies to protect the planet. Established on the first Earth Day in 1970, the Department of Environmental Conservation has played a leading role in nearly every environmental milestone in New York’s history, including the recovery of the Bald Eagle, the first statewide fracking ban, and the largest addition to the Adirondack Park in more than a century, completed in 2016. This year, while we reflect on five decades of victories, we will urgently direct our attention to the challenges of the next 50 years, particularly climate change, the greatest-ever threat to our air, land, and water. As Washington, D.C., abandons environmental protection and sides with polluters, DEC is committed to taking on the challenges ahead.”

Starting in January, DEC will highlight its history of environmental victories on the agency website, via email, social media channels using the #DEC50 hashtag, and in the Conservationist Magazine and Conservationist for Kids. In addition, beginning in January and continuing throughout the year, DEC will host anniversary events and announce staff-led service projects across the state.

A commemorative logo is expected to be used on the DEC website, in printed materials, and other promotions throughout 2020.  DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is incorporating the DEC 50 logo in the yearly Habitat Access Pin to commemorate the anniversary. The new Habitat Access Pin will be available at license issuing agents statewide beginning in August.

DEC is also planning to launch a new Geocaching Challenge. DEC will designate 50 properties across the state where geocaching canisters will be hidden with information inside on how to receive a prize.

For the latest updates on #DEC50 and DEC’s year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, visit DEC’s website.

Photo of Nelson Rockefeller signing legislation creating the DEC (provided).

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Stories under the Almanack's Editorial Staff byline come from press releases and other notices.

Send news updates and story ideas to Alamanck Editor Melissa Hart at editor@adirondackalmanack.com.




One Response

  1. David Gibson says:

    I appreciate this 50 year timeline celebration from DEC. It’s a remarkable and important reminder of all it took and takes to safeguard our common environments. Many other states (and nations) are envious of this record. Of course, it also paints the rosiest possible picture. It makes no mention of the persisting loss of 20-40% of the people power at DEC natural resources, lands and forests and stewardship of same, same loss for these non-personnel budgets, elimination of entire programs (Rivers program, for example), stagnation in the number of Foresters, Wildlife professionals, Forest Rangers, ECOs and many, many compromises to water down or evade these laws in the name of “progress.” Morale is critical – and in short supply. Still, we all badly need reminders of how far we have come and how many dedicated individuals still work very hard for these goals @ DEC. Thank you.

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