Environmental Conservation, Department of

Agency Web Site: http://www.dec.ny.gov/

Mission

The mission of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is 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.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends total appropriations of $1.0 billion for the Department, an increase of $120 million from the 2014-15 budget. The increase primarily reflects minor re-estimates in state operations, additional funding for oil spill preparedness and to match federal fish and wildlife funds, an additional $10 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, and the inclusion of $100 million for the continuation of the State Superfund program.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce level of 2,946 FTEs for the Department in 2015-16, an increase of 36 FTEs, primarily for habitat and conservation projects associated with Federal fish and wildlife funds and oil spill preparedness and response.

Major budget actions include:

• Extend the Brownfields program for 10 years, reform the Brownfields Cleanup tax credit program to rationalize eligibility for redevelopment credits, establish a liability relief only program and streamline the remediation process. In addition, the budget includes a new $100 million appropriation to continue the State Superfund program.
• Simplify the air pollution fee structure to generate additional revenues to support both DEC’s air program as well as the federally mandated Title V operating permit program, and increase water pollution discharge fees to ensure that there are adequate resources to oversee regulated entities and protect the environment.
• Appropriations of $172 million for the programs supported by the Environmental Protection Fund, an increase of $10 million from the 2014-15 budget. Appropriations include $15.2 million for solid waste programs, $60.2 million for parks and recreation and $96.6 million for open space programs.
• Appropriation of $40 million in capital for the Department under the New York Works statewide capital infrastructure program. The DEC funding will be used for air monitoring infrastructure investments; remediating legacy environmental contamination; investing in needed information technology; and performing repairs and maintenance required to ensure the safety and viability of state infrastructure, including dams, state lands and fish hatcheries.
• Additional appropriations of $3 million to enhance oil spill response and preparedness. The funding will support compliance with Governor Cuomo's Executive Order 125, which was issued in response to the increased volume of crude oil being transported through New York State.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Environment and Energy (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/21/2015

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables