The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today officially debuted a redesigned public website at www.dec.ny.gov that improves accessibility and the user experience, particularly on mobile devices. The site is significantly easier to use with cellphones, streamlines navigation, includes more powerful search capabilities, and offers new multimedia features to provide a more engaging visitor experience.

“With more than 28 million visitors each year in search of information about DEC programs, environmental rules and regulations, outreach and education, and grant opportunities, DEC’s website is a critical extension of the services we provide for New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The launch of DEC’s new website—www.dec.ny.gov—provides a more mobile-friendly and immersive view into DEC’s mission and our ongoing work to protect the environmental and public health and responsibly connect New Yorkers to nature.”

DEC’s prior website was launched in 2005 on a now-antiquated platform that was not optimized for cellphones and other small-screen devices. The redesigned site offers a more responsive design and intuitive functionality, whether visitors are using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or handheld device. Features include streamlined navigation and new content presentation capabilities that allow DEC to better integrate video and other visual media. Updated DEC website URLs are all plain text, improving the ability of search engines to find and connect users to content. To ensure visitors can still find favorite web pages from the old design, DEC has established redirects to the new web pages. 

Expanded, task-focused navigation makes it easier for visitors to find regulatory, environmental protection, licensing, and environmental education content and resources more quickly. Larger call-to-action sections make it easy to purchase licenses, search for job openings, sign up for topic-specific newsletters through DEC Delivers, or subscribe to DEC’s Conservationist Magazine.

Finding permit information and submitting requests for permit action is also improved on the new website. For instance, a new State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) submission form lets local, regional, and state governmental agencies quickly provide details for SEQR reviews and approvals.  

DEC’s website includes a wealth of information, such as DECinfo Locator – an interactive map that lets the public access DEC documents and public data about the environmental quality of specific sites in New York State – as well as outdoor recreation information. With more than 90 data layers available, this is the first application that shows both environmental quality monitoring and natural resource information together in one place. 

To experience the website redesign, learn more about DEC’s programs, or find your next outdoor adventure, go to www.dec.ny.gov.