DEC Announces Environment Conservation Job Opportunities

There are many careers available in the environmental field, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers exciting opportunities for qualified individuals looking to make a difference in environmental protection and natural resource management. Check out a video about starting your career at DEC!

Interested? Or know someone that is? Then apply for the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Exam. The application deadline is November 30, 2022. Once you apply, you must submit the exam by December 15, 2022.

Find a list of titles filled through the PCO Exam on the Civil Service website.

LI Company Fined $300,000 For Illegal Dumping

Illegal Dumping Brings Pricey Penalty - Suffolk County

DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) recently issued an enforcement decision that included a $300,000 penalty against a Long Island company for operating an illegal solid waste facility in Wyandanch, Suffolk County.

This enforcement action is the result of an investigation by DLE, in coordination with DEC experts from the Division of Materials Management. DEC first responded to a complaint about Stasi Industries in 2019, and determined the company demolished two buildings at 271 Merritt Avenue and then illegally dumped and buried thousands of cubic yards of construction and demolition (C&D) debris at the site without the required DEC permits. The investigation showed the dumping likely commenced in or around March 2017.

Summer 2022 Saw A Mass Die-Off Of Bay Scallops

RIVERHEAD, NY — NOVEMBER 7, 2022 —Scientists at Riverhead-based Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) have confirmed that a mass die-off of adult Peconic Bay scallops occurred during the months of June and July, the fourth consecutive year of historically low scallop harvests.

 

Aquaculture experts from the CCE Suffolk Marine Program and Stony Brook University, however, are jointly undertaking two innovative, breeding initiatives that hold forth hope for the recovery of the East End scallop industry.

 

CCE researchers attribute the mass die-offs to at least three factors: high disease levels exacerbated by higher water temperatures, low levels of dissolved oxygen, and the physiological stress of spawning by adult scallops amid the higher water temperatures.

 

For many years, Suffolk County has played an instrumental role in sustaining the region’s scallop industry through large-scale restoration programs. For more than a decade, the County has provided funds to CCE Suffolk to create and maintain a large-scale, spawner sanctuary in Orient Harbor that has helped sustain and strengthen the scallop harvest. 

 

“Bay scallops are a historically important fishery in the region dating back to our founders. With this in mind, Suffolk County has supported the work of Cornell Cooperative Extension to restore the scallop populations since 2004,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “While recent harvests have been disappointing, I am confident that CCE Suffolk and their partners will develop the appropriate methods to bring back a sustainable harvest.” 

 

Aiming to trigger a resurgence in the scallop population, CCE Suffolk is now working on two genetic-driven projects under the leadership of Bassem Allam, a professor of marine sciences at Stony Brook. The projects are evaluating selective breeding as a strategy to mitigate the extensive die-offs.   

The first initiative began in April and May when CCE aquaculture specialist Harrison Tobi and shellfish ecologist Stephen Tettelbach spent many days scuba diving in search of adult scallops that had survived the mass die-off of 2021. So far, these selected scallops, known as “broodstock,” have been used by CCE to produce more than 20,000 new scallops for continued genetic work and more than 240,000 for ongoing restoration work supported by Suffolk County.

Deer Are Active In The Fall Be Aware Learn To Avoid Deer/MV Crashes

Deer and Moose are Most Active During Fall Months, Posing Increased Risk of Crashes In 2021, 41 Percent of Crashes Involving Vehicles and Deer Occurred in October, November, and December The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (leaves DEC website) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded drivers that deer and moose become more active and are more likely to enter public roadways in the fall. During the months of October, November, and December, it is breeding season for deer and the animals are more visible. According to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, 41 percent of the crashes in 2021 between deer and vehicles occurred during this three-month span. Motorists should also be on alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas this time of year. “New York’s roadways are as beautiful as ever during the fall months, but it’s also when deer and moose are more active so motorists must drive with extra caution to help avoid a collision,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “Watch for deer-crossing signs along roadways, as they indicate deer have been seen at that location and have collided with cars there. Those signs are meant to warn you to be extra cautious when driving through such locations.” “The fall season is a peak time for wildlife activity across New York, especially for deer and moose who can cross roadways and create the potential for an accident,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Regardless of where you live, all motorists should keep an eye out and be aware that wildlife can cross their paths.” Motorists should be aware animals are especially active at dawn and dusk when visibility may be reduced and commuter traffic may be heavy. DEC recommends motorists take these precautions to reduce the chance of hitting a deer or moose: Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can “bolt” or change direction at the last minute; If you see a deer go across the road, decrease speed and be careful. Deer often travel in groups, so expect other deer to follow; Use emergency lights or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road; Use caution on roadways marked with deer crossing signs; and Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced. If encountering an animal on the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, a tree, a pole, or other objects. If an animal is hit, DEC advises motorists to stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer or moose could use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to cause harm. Other tips for if you strike or encounter an animal include: Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road, and turn on hazard lights. If leaving the vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of any oncoming vehicles. If a collision occurs at dusk or dawn, please remember traffic visibility could be reduced. Call the police. Alert authorities if the animal is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, you must fill out an official crash report (leaves DEC website) and send it to DMV. Don’t assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that won’t latch and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow truck. Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York, and moose wander looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy moose sightings, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway. Moose are much larger and taller than deer. Their large body causes greater damage, and, when struck, their height often causes them to impact the windshield of a car or pickup truck, not just the front of the vehicle. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and their height - which puts their head and much of their body above vehicle headlights. More information about moose and deer can be found on DEC’s website. Additionally, precautions and safety tips about special driving conditions, such as driving in rain, in winter, or in driving emergencies, can be found on DMV’s website (leaves DEC website).

https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html

Contractor Fined $1,500 For Illegal Dumping

In Suffolk County, a dumping case involving the Long Island Pine Barrens Commission resulted in a large fine. The commission received information about illegal dumping on Long Island Avenue in Yaphank. The Suffolk County Sherriff’s Department traced the evidence to an address in Ronkonkoma. The homeowner at the address admitted to hiring someone to clean out an overcrowded home. ECOs joined other members of law enforcement in setting up a meeting with the contractor, who admitted to illegally dumping to avoid disposal fees. ECO Cacciola issued a Notice of Violation and the illegal dumper was ordered to clean up the site, properly dispose of the materials, and pay a $1,500 fine to DEC.