Taking action does not have to stop with notifying the authorities.  In general, the more awareness and attention you generate over an environmental hazard, the faster it will be addressed.

In addition to contacting the proper enforcement agencies, citizens can:

Notify Neighbors and Community Members

Mostly likely you have identified a problem in your local community.  Therefore, it affects not only you but also your family, friends and neighbors.  If it's a community issue, let the community know!

Alert the Press

The media is a very powerful tool for drawing attention to and mobilizing action around an environmental problem.  Contact environmental reporters who write for local and regional newspapers.  Call the news department at your local television station. 

Utilize Your Mobile Technology and Social Media Tools

The Patriot App, which is now available for the iPhone, allows for quick reporting of suspicious activity or crimes to the proper authorities with the touch of a button.  The App has a special icon for environmental crimes, which reports directly to the Environmental Protection Agency.  You can also take pictures and submit these digitally via the App.

Also, use social media to notify your network: post your observations to your Facebook, Twitter and/or Foursquare status, or to your blog or webpage.

Reach out to Environmental Organizations

New York has a vast number of established state and local environmental organizations.  These organizations may be vital in helping to identify the best resources and most appropriate contacts for resolving an environmental problem.  Many of these organizations focus on a specific locality or champion a single issue, so you may want to do a little research to determine which may be most helpful to your cause. 

Check out the DEC's extensive list of regional and local environmental groups in New York, organized by region.

Citizen reporting of environmental offenses makes a difference and leads to healthier communities and New Yorkers!

Back to Environmental Reporting Guide Home Page