69-546: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (informally referred to as NYSDEC , DEC , EnCon or NYSENCON ) is a department of New York state government . The department guides and regulates the conservation, improvement, and protection of New York's natural resources ; manages Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill parks, state forest lands, and wildlife management areas ; regulates sport fishing , hunting and trapping ; and enforces
138-449: A bottle bill , to be enforced and administered by DEC. The department's facilities at Whiteface Mountain and Mount Van Hoevenberg near Lake Placid were venues for several events at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games . The decade also saw the department complete, with considerable volunteer help, New York's Atlas of Breeding Birds , a mammoth, exhaustive tome of great interest to birders and ornithologists . DEC efforts have also led to
207-420: A memorandum of understanding with the city that eventually led to both tougher land-use regulations in the watersheds of its upstate reservoirs and economic development funds for the communities in them. The 90 mile (140 km) Genesee Valley Greenway was created during this time on abandoned railbed and Genesee Valley Canal property. A new source of funding was opened up when the legislature created
276-416: A $ 150 million to install wells and treatments facilities to contain and cleanup contamination on the 600-acre site. DEC's Division of Marine Resources plays a key role in developing new reefs off the coast of Long Island as part of New York's Artificial Reef Program. Hundreds of tons of clean, recycled materials, including former girders from the former Tappan Zee Bridge, were strategically placed to settle on
345-551: A general nature are codified in the Consolidated Laws of New York . The New York State Senate has 32 standing committees , this ranks them second place to Mississippi which has 35. The Assembly on the other hand has 37 standing committees which compared to other houses of the nation is the 5th largest. Committees have legislative jurisdiction for the communities or agencies they represent. Committees are responsible for reviewing bills before deciding to report them to
414-683: A joint investigation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Manhattan District Attorney's office that led to the seizure of elephant ivory worth more than $ 8.5 million from jewelers based in New York City. Following extensive reviews by DEC and the NYS Department of Health, DEC issued a findings statement in 2015 that prohibited high-volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New York. DEC facilitated
483-725: A major re-organization of New York State's government. The new Conservation Department also absorbed the duties of the Water Power Commission (created in 1921) and the Water Control Commission (created in 1922), which were established to monitor the state's hydro-power resources and regulate water flow. The new department also included a Division of Parks, which was made senior to the State Council of Parks that had been established in 1924 to oversee New York's state parks and historic sites outside of
552-683: A variety of DEC programs, including open space conservation, invasive species control, the Hudson River Estuary Program, Albany Pine Bush and Long Island Central Pine Barrens , state and municipal parks, and other environmental resource protections. The EPF has been fully funded at $ 300M annually since 2016. DEC is overseeing efforts to clean up contamination at the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Bethpage, New York , including
621-401: Is DEC's legal office. This office administers all DEC public hearings and enforcement hearings. It also considers all appeals of denials of requests under New York's Freedom of Information Law . This office serves to "build and maintain positive working relationships with Legislators and their staffs in order to encourage dialogue and cooperation on matters affecting environmental policy. OLA
690-588: Is a state agency within the New York State Executive Department charged with the operation of state parks and historic sites within the U.S. state of New York . As of 2014, the NYS OPRHP manages nearly 335,000 acres (523 sq mi; 1,360 km ) of public lands and facilities, including 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, that are visited by over 78 million visitors each year. The agency that would become
759-719: Is a cycle that takes place from the first month of the year up until a budget has been published by both houses. According to the New York State Legislative Calendar, session convenes January 9th throughout June 19th. Budget deadline is the last week of March, but historically it has dragged on 'til the month of August and can even surpass that if the Senate and the Assembly fails to compromise. During session both houses work both together and independently to introduce bills and propose changes or support for
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#1732771950176828-538: Is also mobilized to ensure safe drinking water in Newburgh, following the discovery of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in city drinking water. Under New York's $ 2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) of 2017, DEC is assisting municipal efforts to upgrade drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and residential septic systems, and mitigate drinking water contamination. New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), created in 1993, supports
897-809: Is charged to present, discuss, and gain passage of the Department's annual legislative program. OLA also serves as a liaison between elected officials and the Department on concerns and issues affecting their constituents." This office handles most of DEC's conservation-related functions. This office houses the two uniformed law enforcement agencies under DEC's aegis. DEC divides the state into nine administrative regions, all groups of counties . All DEC Program areas are represented in each regional office. Some regions have sub-offices closer to particular DEC program areas. DEC employees range from holders of multiple advanced degrees to clerk/typists who may not even have attended college. They do their work everywhere from
966-487: Is divided into counties, cities, towns, and villages, which are all municipal corporations with their own government that provide most local government services. Whether a municipality is defined as a city, town, or village is not dependent on population or land area, but rather by the form of government selected by the residents and approved by the New York State Legislature. Each such government
1035-734: Is granted varying home rule powers as provided by the New York Constitution, and a local law has a status equivalent with a law enacted by the Legislature (subject to certain exceptions and restrictions). New York also has various corporate entities that serve single purposes that are also local governments, such as school and fire districts as well as New York state public-benefit corporations , frequently known as authorities or development corporations . New York has 62 counties, which are subdivided into 932 towns and 62 cities; it also has 10 Indian reservations . In total,
1104-410: Is headed by the speaker; the Senate is headed by the president, a post held ex officio by the lieutenant governor , who only has a tie-breaking " casting vote ", but more often it is presided over by the temporary president or by a senator of the majority leader's choosing. The Legislature is empowered to make laws, subject to the governor's power to veto a bill. However, the veto may be overridden by
1173-1031: Is serving as interim commissioner after the previous commissioner, Basil Seggos, stepped down in April 2024. Seggos was the longest serving commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, having been appointed by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2015 and was confirmed unanimously by the New York State Senate . The department has 12 offices: Administration; Air Resources, Climate Change & Energy; Communications; General Counsel; Hearings and Mediation Services; Internal Audit and Investigation; Legislative Affairs; Natural Resources; Public Protection; Regional Affairs and Permitting; Remediation and Materials Management; and Water Resources. Many of these offices have internal divisions with specific responsibilities. There are three divisions within this office: This
1242-636: The New York State Register and compiled in the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR). There are also numerous decisions, opinions, and rulings of state agencies. The New York State Legislature is bicameral and consists of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly . The Assembly consists of 150 members; the Senate varies in its number of members, but currently has 63. The Assembly
1311-558: The Hudson Palisades from the damaging effects of quarrying resulted in the creation of a number of state parks in the 1910s and 1920s, including Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park . Throughout these early acquisitions, the state lacked a formal statewide agency or organization to coordinate management and development of state parks. Instead, parks were managed by independent regional commissions, such as
1380-631: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation , which was tasked with all responsibilities of the former Conservation Department, with the exception of managing the state's parks and historic sites outside of the Forest Preserve. The former Division of Parks was upgraded to become an independent agency, known as the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation . Legislation enacted in 1972 gave
1449-655: The Palisades Interstate Park Commission , or by organizations such as the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society . To address the need for statewide coordination, the New York State Council of Parks was created by legislation adopted on April 18, 1924. The council served to plan development and set standard policies for all New York state-owned parks, reservations, and historic sites that were not under
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#17327719501761518-643: The Temporary Emergency Relief Administration , Civilian Conservation Corps , Civil Works Administration , and Works Progress Administration cleared woodlands, performed maintenance tasks, and built roads, trails, golf courses, buildings, and furniture for New York's parks through the 1930s and early 1940s. As the Depression came to a close with the United States joining World War II in 1941, New York State
1587-1407: The Ways and means committee . Senate Standing Committees: Administrative Regulations Review Commission, Aging, Agriculture, Alcoholism And Substance Abuse, Banks, Budget And Revenues, Children And Families, Cities, Civil Service And Pensions, Codes, Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business, Consumer Protection, Corporations, Authorities And Commissions, Crime Victims, Crime And Correction, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation, Domestic Animal Welfare, Education, Elections, Energy And Telecommunication, Environmental Conservation, Ethics And Internal Governance, Finance, Health, Higher Education, Housing, Construction And Community Development, Insurance, Internet And Technology, Investigations And Government Operations, Judiciary, Labor, Legislative Commission On Rural Resources, Legislative Women's Caucus, Libraries, Local Government, Mental Health And Developmental Disabilities, New York City Education, Racing, Gaming And Wagering, Rules, Science, Technology, Incubation And Entrepreneurship, Social Services, State-Native American Relations, Task Force For Demographic Research And Reapportionment, The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic And Asian Legislative Caucus , Transportation, Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs, Women's Issues. The New York State Assembly Legislative session
1656-834: The state's constitution . Analogously to the US federal government , it is composed of three branches: executive , legislative , and judicial . The head of the executive is the governor . The Legislature consists of the Senate and the Assembly . The Unified Court System consists of the Court of Appeals and lower courts. The state is also divided into counties, cities, towns, and villages, which are all municipal corporations with their own government. The elected executive officers are: There are several (limited to twenty ) state government departments: Regulations are promulgated and published in
1725-590: The Adirondack and Catskills mountains that are now open to outdoor recreation. Under New York's Sewage Pollution Right to Know (SPRTK) law, publicly owned sewage systems and treatment works are required to report untreated and partially treated sewage discharges to DEC within two hours of the discharge, and also alert the public and adjoining municipalities of discharges within four hours. DEC, in conjunction with other New York State agencies, updated safety procedures and emergency response preparedness associated with
1794-723: The Conservation Commission and the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. Prior to the creation of the Division of Parks (see below ), the State Council of Parks was the highest-level organization overseeing park management in the state. Although it later became an advisory body, the council continues to this day, known officially as the New York State Council of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation . It includes representatives from
1863-456: The DEC to clear debris-filled waterways, they're out seizing pet squirrels." The Department of Environmental Conservation is headed by a commissioner appointed by the governor. The commissioner reports to the deputy secretary for the environment. Below the commissioner and deputy commissioners are the heads of all offices, divisions, and regional directors. Sean Mahar, executive deputy commissioner,
1932-480: The Division of Parks. The council was also at this time given the additional responsibility of planning highway improvements to enable access to park facilities. Although the Great Depression of the 1930s reduced available funding for New York's state parks, the period was a time of development of existing parks' facilities. Construction teams comprising workers employed through federal programs such as
2001-578: The Environmental Quality Bond Act, which continues to provide funds for land acquisition, solid waste aid, sewage treatment, air pollution control and resource recovery. Its renewal in 1986 made possible remediation of many hazardous waste sites. In the 1980s, DEC was given regulatory authority over storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes. In this capacity, it helped New York end disposal of radioactive waste at West Valley . The legislature also passed
2070-932: The Forest Commission were merged to form the Fisheries, Game, and Forest Commission in 1895; it was renamed the Forest, Fish, and Game Commission in 1900. Protection of New York's water resources by a state agency began in 1902 with the establishment of the Water Storage Commission, which became the Water Supply Commission in 1905. The new Water Supply Commission also absorbed the River Improvement Commission that had been created in 1904. The Water Supply Commission's duties focused on ensuring adequate water
2139-500: The Forest Preserve. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was created in 1970 by legislation symbolically signed on the first Earth Day by then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller . The new department was charged with the functions of the former Conservation Department, in addition to the duties of several programs previously part of the New York State Department of Health and other commissions; several brand-new offices were created as well. The same legislation relieved
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2208-482: The Forest Preserve. Increased funding for parks made available in the 1960s did allow for the purchase of several large tracts throughout the state for parkland development. The state also began at this time to expand into new areas, such as an increase in boating facilities and establishment of parks within New York City . A major shift in New York's park management came in 1970 with legislation that created
2277-430: The Legislature if there is a two-thirds majority in favor of overriding in each House. Furthermore, it has the power to propose amendments to the New York Constitution by a majority vote and then another majority vote following an election. If so proposed, the amendment becomes valid if agreed to by the voters at a referendum . The session laws are published in the official Laws of New York . The permanent laws of
2346-646: The New York State Board for Historic Preservation) was created to help guide their management. New York's park system continued expansion after World War II ended. The creation or completion of various parkways in the state, such as the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Lake Ontario Parkway , received priority during the 1950s. As visitation to New York's state parks increased following the war, new lands were sought for state parks, including unsuccessful attempts to expand into
2415-538: The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) was created in 1970; however, the history of state parks and historic sites in New York stretches back to the latter part of the 19th century. Management of state-owned parks, and guidance for the entire state park system, was accomplished by various regional commissions, private organizations, statewide advisory councils, and divisions within other state agencies prior to
2484-595: The Pollution Prevention Institute (P2I) in 2008 at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to bring together academic institutions, not-for-profit institutions and government entities to encourage and support the development of sustainable businesses and organizations, and reduce natural resource consumption and waste. New York achieved its goal of conserving one million acres of open space, including critical forested lands in
2553-703: The State's acquisition and protection of more than 65,000 acres of forested lands in the Adirondacks, including the Essex Chain of Lakes, OK Slip Falls, and Boreas Ponds. The 20,758-acre Boreas Ponds Tract, purchased in the spring of 2016, will be open to the public for the first time. DEC and the State Department of Health (DOH) are members of the New York's Water Quality Rapid Response Team, created in 2016 to evaluate drinking water supply threats across
2622-545: The agency direct control of New York's park lands, with the State Council of Parks and regional commissions retaining an advisory role in management. The agency's name was updated in 1981 to its current form, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP). The state park system underwent a period of rapid expansion during former governor George Pataki 's administration. Between 1995 and 2007, Pataki, along with then-parks commissioner Bernadette Castro , opened 28 new state parks. Although
2691-550: The agency's offices to deep wilderness . Almost all DEC positions are classified as civil service and require that applicants pass the appropriate exams to be considered for hiring. Government of New York (state) The Government of the State of New York , headquartered at the New York State Capitol in Albany , encompasses the administrative structure of the U.S. state of New York , as established by
2760-638: The approximately 1,500 central office DEC staff had been relocated to the new facility. DEC employees were active in the cleanup after the September 11, 2001 , terrorist attacks in New York City. As part of the refinancing and reform the State Superfund Program in 2003, New York created the Brownfield Cleanup Program to mitigate threats to public health and the environment from contaminated sites. The initiative also
2829-735: The authority of the New York State Conservation Commission (which notably included those lands that comprised the Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and Catskills ). Its formation was supported by governor Alfred E. Smith and based on plans by Robert Moses , who became the council's first commissioner; Moses would remain in charge of the council until 1963. The council initially included representatives from regional park commissions and other organizations involved in park management, including
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Misplaced Pages Continue
2898-544: The department's headquarters (central office) had been at 50 Wolf Road in Colonie, NY (the current headquarters of the New York State Department of Transportation ). In the late 1990s then Gov. George Pataki decided the department needed a new home with views of the Hudson River. He authorized funding to build a new office tower at 625 Broadway in downtown Albany. The building was completed in April 2001 and by late August
2967-501: The effort to create the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade program among seven northeastern states to lower carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, a major contributor to global warming. RGGI was the first mandatory, market-based cap-and-trade program for CO 2 emission in U.S. history, and has grown to include nine states. In 2006, the DEC started an investigation of Camp O'Ryan ,
3036-497: The establishment of NYS OPRHP, which grew from the framework created by these earlier organizations. State-level procurement and management of parks in New York began in 1883, when then-governor Grover Cleveland signed legislation authorizing the appropriation of lands near Niagara Falls for a "state reservation". Two years later, the Niagara Reservation, known today as Niagara Falls State Park , opened to
3105-511: The following departments and commissions as of 2014: A reorganization of New York's state government took place in 1926, which resulted in the creation of the New York State Conservation Department. The newly formed Conservation Department included a Division of Parks which assumed responsibility for management of New York's parks and historic sites. The Council of Parks continued as a constituent unit of
3174-557: The former New York Army National Guard training range in Wethersfield, New York . The concerns at this site included lead contamination from spent bullets, as well as alleged witnessed burial of cylinders of unknown origin. As of that date, DEC was contacting the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and United States Army Corps of Engineers for further information about the range. DEC created
3243-804: The governor was lauded as a conservationist for his actions, the new parks increased financial burdens on the NYS ;OPRHP, whose funding for operations remained steady. In 2010, a statewide fiscal crisis led to an announcement that 55 state parks and historic sites would be closed. The threatened closures were eventually averted, with budget shortfalls made up through reduced staffing and hours at many parks, closure of some internal facilities such as campgrounds and golf courses, and increases in user fees. The 2010 fiscal crisis resulted in decreased availability of funds for maintenance and upkeep at New York's parks. To help address an estimated $ 1 billion in needed repairs, $ 143 million in funds were made available in 2012;
3312-405: The governor's executive budget. During the legislative session for both houses (Senate and Assembly): The New York State Unified Court System interprets and applies the law of New York , ensures equal justice under law , and provides a mechanism for dispute resolution . The court system in New York tends to produce mild confusion for outsiders. In general, the judicial system is composed of
3381-541: The intermediate appellate court for many cases, and the local courts handle a variety of other matters and are the starting point for all criminal cases. The New York City courts make up the largest local court system. The system is administered by the chief judge of the Court of Appeals , also known as the chief judge of New York, the chief administrative judge , the Office of Court Administration and other agencies. The state
3450-418: The new department of the duties of the former Conservation Department's Division of Parks; the jurisdiction of the former division instead became the independent New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation . In its first decade, it took the lead in helping the state comply with newly passed federal environmental legislation . DEC's work at Love Canal helped draw national attention to
3519-579: The problems posed by hazardous waste sites. It also worked to end General Electric 's discharge of PCBs into the Hudson River , an issue that continues into the present day. It implemented New York's first state-level endangered species list. DEC also was put in charge of reviewing declarations filed under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), which mirrors federal laws. In 1972, voters approved
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#17327719501763588-565: The process of being seized from the sanctuary and that this justified the rabies testing. Testing for rabies requires taking brain sections and cannot be done to a living animal. DEC's involvement and handling of Peanut's case drew widespread public criticism from around the world. Nick Langworthy , the U.S. representative for New York's 23rd district, stated his irritation with the DEC, saying that "instead of focusing on critical needs like flood mitigation in places like Steuben County , where local officials have to struggle just to get permits from
3657-836: The public. The park is claimed to be the oldest state park in the United States, and was the first established via eminent domain . The State Reservation on the St. Lawrence was authorized in 1896. By 1898, it included modest state holdings in the Thousand Islands region of New York. During the early 20th century, the state continued to expand its public parks system with several large additions, including Letchworth State Park in 1906, Fire Island State Park (known today as Robert Moses State Park ) in 1908, John Boyd Thacher State Park in 1914, Enfield Glen State Park (today's Robert H. Treman State Park ) in 1920, and Allegany State Park in 1921. A coordinated effort to protect portions of
3726-457: The publication of a magazine and a state bird atlas, and the operation of 52 campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Many of the specific functions of today's DEC began as tasks carried out by individual commissions or agencies created for those specific purposes. These smaller entities merged over time to create today's department, which was officially created in 1970. The earliest New York state commission dedicated to natural resources
3795-549: The redevelopment of abandoned, contaminated properties to revitalize economically blighted communities. Additional regulations enacted in 2009 further improved New York's site remediation/redevelopment process. Under the Waste Tire Management and Recycling Act of 2003, DEC developed a plan to manage and recycle used and discarded tires, and address non-complaint waste tire dumps in the state, which had an estimated 18-20 million scrap tires. New York proposed and led
3864-583: The restoration of several species in the state, including the bald eagle . The state also began allowing its taxpayers to return a Gift to Wildlife on their income tax forms , providing money directly to DEC for conservation programs. DEC actions against New York City led to a consent order requiring the city to operate the Fresh Kills landfill under its regulations, which led to its eventual closure. New York has seen an 80% reduction in its operating landfills since 1984. The department also obtained
3933-443: The sea floor, creating habitat similar to natural reefs that will attract fish and marine life and expand opportunities for fishing and diving. On October 31, 2024, DEC raided a Pine City animal sanctuary for over 5 hours to seize Peanut (a 7-year-old pet squirrel) and Fred (a raccoon) on the basis that it is illegal to keep young wildlife as pets since the animals become too accustomed to and dependent on humans when they return to
4002-524: The state and its local governments. New York cannot interfere with tribal self-government , but may regulate conduct on tribal territory concerning non-Native Americans. For example, federal law forbids states and local authorities to tax Indian lands; however, the state can and does tax sales of cigarettes to non-tribe members on tribal territory. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ( NYS OPRHP )
4071-407: The state has over 3400 active local governments and over 4200 taxing jurisdictions. In 1898, when New York City was consolidated into its present form, all previous town and county governments within it were abolished in favor of the present five boroughs and unified, centralized city government (the New York City government ). Native Americans ' governments are significantly independent of
4140-779: The state's environmental laws and regulations. Its regulations are compiled in Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations . It was founded in 1970, replacing the Conservation Department, and is headed by Basil Seggos. NYS DEC had an annual budget of about $ 2,588 million for FY 2024, and employs roughly 3,000 people across New York State. It manages over four million acres (16,000 km) of protected state-owned land and another 910,000 acres (3,700 km) of privately owned land on which it holds conservation easements . The department's activities go beyond land management and environmental enforcement to include
4209-429: The state's Environmental Protection Fund. The decade that saw New York come under its first Republican administration in 16 years had some worried that DEC would become more submissive to business interests. But the department remained active, taking the lead in establishing the state's Open Space Plan for future land acquisitions. The summer of 2001 brought a major change to the department. Since its inception in 1970
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#17327719501764278-466: The state, assist communities with water testing and provide technical assistance to ensure universal access to clean drinking water. In 2016, DEC mobilized a massive response to address PFOA contamination in Hoosick Falls, The agency engaged its workforce and contractors to install hundreds of water filtration systems in homes and a filter system at the towns water treatment facility. The agency
4347-434: The transport of crude oil by train, reducing the risks of spills that could threaten communities and natural resources. DEC's Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) conducts investigations, including sting operations, to enforce a 2014 state law that banned the sale of elephant and mammoth ivory and rhinoceros horns in New York. The law was designed to enhance global protection for critical animal populations. In 2014, DEC conducted
4416-628: The trial courts, consisting of the superior courts and the local courts, and the appellate courts. The appellate courts are the: The superior courts are the: And the inferior courts are the local courts: The highest court of appeal is the Court of Appeals (instead of the "Supreme Court") whereas the primary felony trial court is the County Court (or the Supreme Court in New York City). The Supreme Court also acts as
4485-689: The voting floor. Standing committees on the Assembly side includes: Aging, Agriculture, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Banks, Children and Families, Cities, Codes, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Corporations, Correction, Economic Development, Education, Election Law, Energy, Environmental Conservation, Ethics, Governmental Employees, Governmental Operations, Health, Housing, Insurance, Judiciary, Labor, Libraries and Education Technology, Local Governments, Mental Health, Oversight/Analysis and Investigation, Racing and Wagering, Real Property Taxation, Rules, Small Businesses, Social Services, Tourism/Parks/Arts and Sports Development, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and lastly
4554-569: The wild. Peanut was rescued by a local couple after Peanut's mother was run over by a car; they said they were in the process of filing paperwork to have Peanut certified as an educational animal when he was seized. The local couple documented Peanut's care and recovery on Instagram where they were followed by 625,000 accounts world-wide. On November 1, DEC killed Peanut in order to test him for rabies despite Peanut not showing any symptoms of rabies and not being at risk for rabies as an indoor pet. The DEC claimed that Peanut bit one of its employees in
4623-458: Was a three-member Fisheries Commission established in 1868. The Forest Commission, set up in 1885 and revised in 1893, was established to oversee the newly created Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and Catskills, in addition to management of other forests, tree plantings, and forest fires elsewhere in the state. A Forest Preserve Board was also established in 1897, charged with purchasing new state lands for conservation. The Fisheries Commission and
4692-505: Was available for New York's cities, towns, and villages. In 1911, the Water Supply Commission, the Forest Preserve Board, and the Forest, Fish, and Game Commission were combined to create the Conservation Commission, which was headed by three commissioners charged with managing inland waters, lands and forests, and fish and game, respectively. The Conservation Commission became the Conservation Department in 1926, following
4761-578: Was managing 74 parks welcoming a combined 20 million visitors annually. However, the Division of Parks' responsibilities were reduced in 1944 when 27 State Historic Sites were placed under the jurisdiction of the New York State Education Department . These sites were eventually returned to the Conservation Department in 1966; in the same year, the New York State Historic Trust (which later became
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