The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2024, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

“Whether solving environmental crimes, safeguarding New York’s natural resources and wildlife, or connecting with communities and inspiring the next generation of conservationists, Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators have an historic legacy of protecting New York’s air, land, water, and public safety every day and in every corner of the state,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I am proud of their tireless efforts to enforce New York’s stringent Environmental Conservation Law by holding polluters accountable and promoting the safe, sustainable, and responsible use of the great outdoors, and encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to learn how to become the next Environmental Conservation Police Officers.”

Oh, Deer! – Delaware County

On Dec. 2, 2024, ECO Woodin responded to a call from a motorist who reported seeing a deer laying on the ice on Spring Lake in the town of Delhi. Officer Woodin arrived at the location and observed the deer approximately 100 yards from shore. The ECO determined the ice was too thin to walk on and contacted local authorities to obtain resources to rescue the animal. Shortly thereafter, a concerned citizen ran onto the ice with a snow tube from the other side of the lake. Officer Woodin instructed the individual to stop but the person fell through the ice and clung to the snow tube in the frigid water. ECO Woodin immediately contacted Delaware County Emergency Services about the new emergency. The ECO, Delaware County Emergency Services personnel, and local fire department members rescued the individual from the cold water and ensured his safety before turning their attention back to the deer still on the ice. Officer Woodin and local firefighters used a boat to successfully tow the animal to shore.

ECO Woodin and volunteer firefighters in Delaware County rescue deer on ice in the town of Delhi (photo attached)

Heavy-Duty Diesel Detail – Westchester County

During the month of January, ECOs Tompkins, Murphy, Franz, Schuck, Goonan, and Radomski conducted several details throughout Westchester County. The Officers inspected heavy-duty diesel trucks for compliance with New York’s safety requirements, stringent air quality and solid waste regulations, and required paperwork. ECOs issued 84 total tickets for violations related to expired emissions inspections, depositing noisome/unwholesome substances on a highway, transporting regulated waste without a permit, failure to carry waste tracking documents, failure to display permit numbers, and other vehicle and traffic law violations.

ECO Franz inspects heavy-duty diesel vehicle during enforcement detail in Westchester County (photo attached)

ECO Radomski inspects heavy-duty diesel vehicle during enforcement detail in Westchester County (photo attached)

Baiting Waterfowl – Suffolk County

On Jan. 25, ECOs responded to reports of individuals hunting with the aid of bait at a river in the town of Brookhaven. Officers canvassed the area and heard gunshots, which led them to a group of waterfowl hunters. ECOs determined the hunters had taken nine American black ducks, four Canada geese, and one hooded merganser. ECO Kaufherr paddled a canoe down the river and confirmed the presence of corn bread (bait) in the water. ECOs seized the harvested waterfowl and issued tickets for the unlawful taking of migratory waterfowl, hunting with the aid of bait, and taking ducks over the bag limit.

ECOs (left to right: DeRose, Perkins, Layton, Franz, and Kaufherr) seize ducks taken unlawfully in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County (photo attached)

Lobster Law Enforcement – Kings and Queens Counties

On Jan. 26, ECOs Baldwin, Barbera, Kraiprasert, Pansini, and Currey conducted impromptu inspections of fish markets in the Elmhurst area of Queens. Officers discovered and seized 37 undersized lobsters between two stores. The ECOs also found clams placed in water without a valid permit and unlawfully possessed tautog tags. The businesses received tickets for the violations, all returnable to the Queens County Criminal Court. 

The following day, ECOs Bieber and Keegan conducted seafood market inspections in Kings County. The Officers discovered and seized 60 undersized lobsters offered for sale and issued an Administrative Notice of Violation to the business. In New York, lobsters must be between 3 and 5 ¼ inches to be legally possessed. 

DEC’s newest ECOs assigned to New York City assisted with these market checks as part of supervised field training. The new ECOs, who recently completed Basic School, assisted in inspecting and investigating merchants who violated New York’s Environmental Conservation Law and regulations for marine fish, shellfish, and crustacea.

ECOs utilize shellfish gauge to measure lobster during inspections of seafood businesses in New York City (photo attached)

Unlawful clams discovered during inspection of business in Queens (photo attached)

Familiar Fill – Orange County

On Jan. 29, ECO Steffen and Lieutenant Bello initiated a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer tandem in the town of Woodbury and received incomplete tracking documents from the driver that failed to list the type of load being transported. Officer Steffen climbed the trailer to inspect the contents generated in Brooklyn and observed restricted-use fill containing unrecognizable concrete, plastics, and coal. During the investigation, Lieutenant Bello discovered the individual listed on the documents as a main contact was the owner of several companies charged during the Southern District’s Solid Waste Task Force Operations of 2017-2018, and again in 2022. The owner previously pleaded guilty in 2022 to unlawful disposal of solid waste more than 70 cubic yards, a class A misdemeanor.

The next day on Jan. 30, DEC’s Divisions of Law Enforcement and Materials Management visited the facility in Orange County where the waste was initially headed to and discovered additional unauthorized fill piles. The facility, owned by the same individual, is not permitted to take soil from New York City. ECOs issued Notices of Violation to the truck driver and trucking company for transporting regulated waste without a permit and failure to carry waste tracking documents. DEC’s investigation into the facility is ongoing.

ECO Steffen climbs into tractor trailer to inspect fill material in Orange County (photo attached)

Lieutenant Bello and ECOs Parker, Radomski, and Steffen conduct site visit at unlawful fill facility in Orange County (photo attached)

Active Dumping Report – Rockland County

On Jan. 30, ECOs Franz and Lee responded to a complaint of five tri-axle dump trucks actively dumping solid waste at a residential site in the town of Haverstraw. The Officers arrived at the location and observed two trucks remaining, including one that got stuck in the mud after dumping its load. ECOs investigated and determined both trucks originated from the same demolition site and contained a mixture of soil containing plastic, lumber, concrete, and polystyrene. The Officers ticketed the driver and company owner for violations including the illegal disposal of solid waste, transporting regulated waste without a permit, failure to display waste transporter numbers on the vehicle, and transporting waste without required tracking documents.

ECO Lee inspects solid waste dumped unlawfully in Rockland County (photo attached)

Ice Safety – St. Lawrence County

On Jan. 30 and 31, ECO Atwood and Forest Ranger Jansen teamed up for outreach at the Edwards-Knox School in St. Lawrence County to speak to students about ice fishing regulations, ice/cold water safety, and how to rescue or assist someone who falls through the ice. Officer Atwood and Ranger Jansen also fielded questions from students about how to remain safe while enjoying ice fishing activities.

DEC reminds ice anglers to be safe when venturing onto the ice this season, especially given recent variations in weather conditions. Outdoor enthusiasts considering ice fishing should always be aware of essential safety guidelines and make sure ice is thick enough before heading out. Before leaving shore, ice anglers are advised to check the thickness of ice. Four inches of solid, clear ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness can vary between waterbodies and even within the same waterbody, increasing the need to ensure thickness. Anglers should be particularly cautious of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice from forming. Checking the ice can easily be done with an auger or “spud bar” (a long, metal tool with a chisel on one end) at various spots. Local bait and tackle shops are a great resource for finding out where there is safe ice and what anglers are catching. In addition, fishing with family and friends is also encouraged for safety. 

ECO Atwood speaks to students about ice safety in St. Lawrence County (photo attached)