Special Edition Topics:

• New York State on PAUSE, Updated Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
• Join the Team
• Helpful Links
• Dates to Remember
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health

New York State on PAUSE, Updated Public & Stakeholder Participation Information:

Due to the unprecedented nature of COVID-19, Governor Cuomo has issued a PAUSE Order directing non-essential meetings/gatherings to be suspended or canceled. See Executive Order 202 and subsequent additions. As a result, at this time DEC is canceling the public hearings previously scheduled for the following proposed rulemakings and extending the comment periods for these rulemakings for 30 days.

• Proposed Subpart 225-1, Fuel Composition and Use - Sulfur Limitations - Comment period will be extended to 5/15/2020.
• Proposed Part 248, Use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel and Best Available Retrofit Technology for Heavy Duty Vehicles - Comment period will be extended to 5/15/2020.
• Proposed Part 230, Gasoline Dispensing Sites and Transport Vehicles - Comment period will be extended to 5/21/2020.
• Proposed Part 231, New Source Review for New and Modified Facilities - Comment period will be extended to 5/21/2020.
• Proposed Part 235, Consumer Products - Comment period will be extended to 5/21/2020.
• Various projects in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB).

Additional information and access to past announcements are on our Public & Stakeholder Participation Information page.

Air Mail! is the publication to announce public and stakeholder information about air quality topics. All NYS residents are environmental stakeholders – we welcome anyone to join the information sessions and other opportunities posted here.

Join the Team

Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology? New York State employs more than 2,000 engineers in various agencies across the state, including DEC. Learn more about career opportunities in engineering with NYS on the Civil Service's website.

As a permanent, full-time employee of the DEC, you would enjoy many benefits, including:  generous leave time; excellent health, dental and vision insurance plans; pension plan; deferred compensation program; and, flex spending account. You may also qualify for: military leave; paid jury duty leave; child rearing leave and part-time or reduced work schedule.

Helpful Links:

• DECinfo Locator – An interactive map that lets you access DEC documents and public data about the environmental quality of specific sites in New York State, as well as outdoor recreation information.
• DEC Delivers – Stay in-the-know by subscribing to the environmental topics that interest you. DEC Delivers will send you information, updates, and e-newsletters on the topics of your choosing. As an Air Mail! subscriber, you may be interested in subscribing to the Air Quality Alert topic so you know when air quality levels are a concern in your area.
• AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
• NYSDEC YouTube – Keep up with what’s going on with staff at DEC by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Watch video clips of the latest DEC campground improvements, learn about the Hudson River, or watch the latest episode of “On the Front Lines,” DEC’s monthly video series.
• DEC Career Opportunities – DEC offers numerous opportunities for qualified individuals looking to work in environmental fields and support the protection of the environment. Join our team by taking advantage of available career opportunities in natural resource management and environmental protection. 

Dates to Remember:

• Now through May 15: DEC's annual Saratoga Tree Nursery native tree and shrub seedling sale – Dozens of native tree and shrub species will be available for purchase at low cost. Browse this year's selection on our website. Place your order by phone for the most up-to-date species availability information.
• March 16 to May 14: Annual spring burn ban – Temporarily outlaws residential brush and yard debris burning statewide.
• Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest like choosing green cleanser, climate friendly air conditioning, and water conservation. Preregistration is required.
• April 21: John Muir’s Birthday – Known as “The Father of our National Parks,” he inspired people to respect natural resources and explore America’s wilderness.
• April 22: Earth Day – Remember that Earth Day is every day. Include activities that reduce air pollution such as using less energy at home, walking or biking instead of using a car, and ditch gas-powered lawn mowers.
• April 26: National Arbor Day – Trees clean the air by absorbing odors and pollutants and trapping them in their leaves and bark. They also make the all-important oxygen that we all breathe. 
• May 4 to 8: Air Quality Awareness Week – This year's theme is Better Air, Better Health. The goal of Air Quality Awareness Week is to increase awareness of how important air is and to inspire people to take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution. Let’s take action together to keep our air clean.

Stay Informed about Your Air Quality

NYS’ ozone season runs from April through September. DEC publishes ground-level ozone forecasts during ozone season and particulate matter pollution forecasts year-round using a scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI). DEC sends out an air quality alert when there is a high AQI value, which indicates polluted air. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions and people who exercise outdoors should take caution during an air quality alert. Find out if an Air Quality Alert is in effect by calling the toll-free Ozone Hotline: 1-800-535-1345.

The AQI can be accessed in three ways:

• Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast.
• Find an Air Quality Monitor near you.
• Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts for NYS via e-mail.

We would like to know what you think. Please send your Air Mail! questions or comments to us at DAR.web@dec.ny.gov.