Ithaca, NY, Dec 28, 2012 — New York's Department of Environmental Conservation released a draft set of regulations for hydraulic fracturing in November. Those proposed rules are open for public comment until Jan. 11, 2013.

Fracking opponents are preparing to make the most of the opportunity.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Oct 07, 2011 — About a dozen Assembly members spent much of the day Thursday questioning top officials from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation at a public hearing on hydrofracking. The Innovation Trail's Marie Cusick reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Aug 23, 2011 — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is joining the Federal Environmental Protection Agency in the effort to clean up a heavily polluted half-mile section of the Black River.

Paper mills and other industry along the river near the villages of Carthage and West Carthage, left it heavily polluted. The area was declared an EPA Superfund site last year. But it's still heavily used for fishing, rafting and kayaking, and there are several homes along the polluted stretch.  Go to full article

Madrid, NY, Jul 22, 2011 — A Madrid Dairy could face a fine of up to $37,000 from the state Department of Environmental Conservation after it spilled 1000 gallons of liquid manure from its manure storage lagoon into Brandy Brook on July 6.

The headline of this story formerly read "10,000 gallon." NCPR regrets the error.--ed.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 29, 2011 — Although the DEC has been working on a study about hydrofracking in New York's Marcellus Shale for four years, they have not finished a draft requested for Friday by the Cuomo administration. Emma Jacobs from the Innovation Trail has more.  Go to full article

Oct 10, 2008 — The Adirondack Park Agency is expected to reject a plan put forward by state officials that would extend the use of floatplanes on Lows Lake. Motorized access to the remote mountain lake has been controversial for years. The APA board will take a final vote today. As Brian Mann reports, the fierce debate has divided state agencies and sparked disagreements among pro-environment groups.  Go to full article

Aug 08, 2008 — State officials have revived a controversial debate over the use of float planes on a remote Adirondack lake. The Department of Environmental Conservation says pilots carrying tourists and fishermen should have access to Lows Lake for another ten years. But many paddlers have complained about the flights and a coalition of green groups says the new plan violates state law. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Oct 20, 2006 — The state DEC has released their long-awaited snowmobile plan for the Adirondack Park. Environmentalists have raised concerns. Gregory Warner has more.  Go to full article

Aug 18, 2006 — Cormorants are a native fish-eating bird. Almost killed off by pesticides earlier in the century, cormorants are back, and sport fisherman say they're eating up their business. But research hasn't yet shown enough to act. Yesterday the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources held an information session in Ogdensburg. Gregory Warner reports.  Go to full article

Jun 01, 2006 — Forest rangers yesterday found a popular teacher and coach who had been missing in a remote area of the northwest Adirondacks since Monday. William Merna left for a weekend fishing trip in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area on Saturday. His family reported him missing Tuesday morning.
     Merna was found almost three miles from his campsite at Cowhorn Pond. Forest rangers in a helicopter spotted him standing in the Oswegatchie river, waving at them. He was tired and hungry but uninjured.
     Merna has taught at the Ogdensburg Free Academy for 35 years. He's one of the most successful boys' basketball coaches in the state, with over 500 wins. The Ogdensburg City School District's Board of Education officially dedicated the school's basketball court the "William B Merna" basketball court.
     State police officers and deputies from the county sheriff's office assisted in the search. Sheriff Gary Jarvis of St Lawrence County told Gregory Warner it was easy terrain to get lost in.  Go to full article