Filed Under: State | Statewide

A variety of New York State agencies and authorities are involved in environmental protection and regulation affecting New York City. Agency commissioners are appointed by the Governor, and all agencies have staff assigned to legislative concerns. Agencies make policy recommendations to the Governor as the budget is prepared, and they also provide review of relevant pending legislation.

The following list provides a brief description and contact information for key state agencies. Most agencies have substantial Web sites, making finding out more about their programs and responsibilities much easier than just a few years ago. The state's home page provides an index at: www.state.ny.us/govagency.htm.Statue of Liberty

New York State Emergency Response Commission (SERC )
1220 Washington Avenue,
Building 22, Suite 101
Albany, New York 12226
Phone: (518) 457-8900
www.nysemo.state.ny.us/SERC/serc.html
24-hour emergency release
reporting number: (800) 457-7362

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (see Section 5) requires a State Emergency Response Commission. The New York SERC's goal is to increase the preparedness of state and local governments for hazardous materials incidents, as well as to raise the public's awareness of hazardous materials issues and increase public access to hazardous materials inventory information. SERC functions primarily through a working group made up of various state agencies which already carry out activities associated with planning, training and enforcement involving hazardous materials. Private sector representatives are also part of the working group.

Empire State Development Corporation
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (800) STATE-NY
www.empire.state.ny.us
Email: esd@empire.state.ny.us

The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) works to improve New York State's competitive position and to create and retain quality jobs. ESDC has the ability to acquire, construct, rehabilitate or improve commercial, industrial, civic and residential projects that will be job-intensive and alleviate substandard or blighted conditions. ESDC has offices throughout the state and the world, as New York is the second most important state in the United States for foreign investment. Directors on the Board are appointed by the Governor.

New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority
Corporate Plaza West
286 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12203-6399
Phone: (518) 862-1090
www.nyserda.org

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority was created by the State Legislature as a public benefit corporation. It conducts a research, development and demonstration (R&D) program to develop and implement new energy, environmental products, and process technologies. It also helps industries, municipalities, schools, hospitals and not-for-profit groups implement energy efficiency measures; provides energy analysis services to help guide energy decisions made by major energy stakeholders in the public and private sectors. NYSERDA also issues tax-exempt bonds for utilities to help finance energy-related projects to reduce costs for taxpayers; and is responsible for coordinating the State's activity on nuclear matters, including low-level radioactive waste. Directed by a 13-member board appointed by the Governor.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Phone: (518) 625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
www.dec.state.ny.us
E-mail: dpaeweb@gw.dec.state.ny.us

DEC is the state environmental agency responsible for enforcing state environmental laws, issuing environmental permits and addressing pollution and environmental violations. It has nine regional offices around the state.

DEC recommends the regional office as your first point of contact for obtaining and renewing DEC permits; reporting environmental or natural resource problems; finding the best places to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors; or reaching any DEC program for any other reason. DEC has an extensive Web site and also maintains several hotlines to report pollution (see below).

DEC - Region 2 (New York City)
1 Hunters Point Plaza
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: (718) 482-4900

Additional DEC Phone Numbers & Hotlines
* DEC Environmental Crimes ("Poachers &
Polluters") Hotline: (800) TIPP-DEC. If you see
someone dumping or involved in an environ-
mentally-damaging activity, report the incident
to DEC.
* Hazardous waste generators: (small quantity
generators) (800) 462-6553; (large quantity)
(800) 452-1925

Participation Specialist will return your call.
* Inspector general hotline: (800) 367-4448
* Lands and forests: (718) 482-4942
* Law enforcement: (718) 482-4885
* Marine fishing regulations: (800) REGS-DEC
* Marine habitat protection: (718) 482-6464
* Ozone Info Hotline: (800) 535-1345 (mid May -
mid September, daily levels and advisories)
* Radon Testing: (800) 458-1158, ext. 451
* DEC Spill Hotline: (800) 457-7362 [(518) 457-
7362 for 24/7 service]. Use this hotline to report
chemical or oil spills, air and sewage releases. If
necessary, DEC personnel can alert a DEC Spill
Response Team to take action.
* Wildlife, fisheries, habitat: (718) 482-4922

New York State Department of Health (DOH)
Corning Tower
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
Phone: (518) 486-9002 (toll-free number below)
www.health.state.ny.us

Metropolitan Regional Office:
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 268-7001

Environmental Health Hotline: 1-800-458-1158,
covering the following programs:
asbestos and lead removal; community health studies; community sanitation issues; fish advisories; food protection, recalls and illnesses; hazardous waste sites; health effects of pesticides, insect repellents and chemicals; indoor air quality; oil or chemical spills; public water supplies; radon, and radiation, radioactive materials; regulated facilities such as motels, restaurants and public beaches; smoking and tobacco regulations; and worker safety issues.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: (518) 457-4100
From within NY: (800) 882-9721
www.nysefc.org

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation is a public benefit corporation created to help local governments and private industry comply with state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Provides low-interest loans and interest-free loans to municipalities for water pollution control, protection and treatment projects. Provides low-interest loans to businesses for environmental projects, such as solid waste management, sewage treatment and water supply management. Administers Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funds to assist small businesses in protecting air and water quality. Provides technical advisory services (for a fee) to help businesses and government agencies efficiently comply with environmental requirements.

Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform
Alfred E. Smith Office Bldg., 17th Floor
Albany, NY 12225
Phone: (518) 486-3292
Business Permit Assistance: (800) 342-3464
Counsel's Office: (518) 473-0620
Regulatory Reform: (518) 486-3292
www.gorr.state.ny.us
Email: gorr@gorr.state.ny.us

The Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR), established by a 1995 Executive Order, is charged with a mission to enhance the growth of private sector jobs in New York within a regulatory environment that protects public health and safety. The Regulations Review and Reform program analyzes state agency regulations for compliance with criteria set forth in the executive order and the State Administrative Procedure Act to insure that such regulations do not unnecessarily impair the state's economy. GORR works with agencies to identify and eliminate regulations it deems "unnecessarily prescriptive or inflexible." The Business Permits Assistance program helps business and others move through the permitting process faster.

Interstate Sanitation Commission
311 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 582-0380

The Interstate Sanitation Commission has 15 representatives, five each from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. New York's representatives are appointed by the Governor, with the DEC Commissioner sitting as an ex-officio member. The Commission was established to protect the shared air and waters of the tri-state area. It has the power to investigate possible pollution, hold hearings, put forth plans, conduct studies, undertake research and tests, and it reports directly to the governors and legislatures of the participating states.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

See New York City section

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC)

45-46 21^st St.

Long Island City, NY 11101

Phone: (718) 472-3046

Fax: (718) 487-7431
www.nymtc.org
NYC Transportation Coordinating Committee: (718) 482-4559

NYMTC (pronounced "NIM-tic") is the official metropolitan planning organization (MPO) designated by the Governor for the downstate New York area: Long Island, New York City, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. (MPOs were required by federal law to address the growing transportation and environmental problems of urban areas.) The Council, a forum for regional transportation issues to be analyzed, discussed, and decided, is composed of representatives from government and agencies, including federal agencies and representatives for New Jersey. One of NYMTC's primary jobs is to collect, analyze, and interpret travel-related data. In cooperation with its members, NYMTC produces the federally required five-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWP), as well as the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). A project must be in the TIP to receive federal funding. All publications and an assortment of data can be requested by calling NYMTC or visiting their Web site.

NYMTC is also charged with public outreach and coordinating public participation in transportation decision-making. It holds regular public events and forums on a variety of transportation topics. New York City residents can participate directly via the NYC Transportation Coordinating Committee.

The New York Power Authority
30 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207

Corporate office:
123 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601
Corporate switchboard:
(914) 681-6200

New York City office:
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 468-6000
www.nypa.gov

The New York State Power Authority provides about a quarter of the state's electricity by operating 10 generating facilities (both fossil-fuel and hydroelectric) and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA sells low-cost power to government agencies; to community-owned electric systems and rural electric cooperatives; to job-producing companies; to private utilities for resale (without profit) to their customers; and to neighboring states, under federal requirements. In New York City, NYPA operates the Charles Poletti Power Project, on the East River in Astoria, Queens.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Empire State Plaza - Bldg. 1
Albany, NY 12238
Phone: (518) 474-0456

NYC Office:
Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10031
Phone: (212) 694-3600
www.nysparks.state.ny.us

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is responsible for administration of a statewide system of 152 state parks and 35 state historic sites, as well as recreational and cultural programming within these facilities. The office also manages numerous state and federal grant aid programs relating to parklands, recreation and historic preservation; administers the Urban Cultural Parks program, the State Navigation law, boating and recreational vehicle safety and education programs, and varied athletic programs including the Empire State Games.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
225 Park Avenue South 18^th Floor

New York, NY 10003-1604
Phone: (212) 435-7000
www.panynj.gov

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was created in 1921 as a unique bi-state agency, modeled after port management in London, to oversee all aspects relating to harbor use and development in the defined "port district," i.e., 1,500 square miles centered on the Statue of Liberty. Since then the Port Authority has built several bridges, tunnels, the PATH train system, marine terminals, the World Trade Center and three international airports, among other projects. Capital projects are financed by the Port Authority with the issuance of its own bonds, and user revenues from tolls and rent payments. The agency is governed by a board, whose members serve as public officials without pay for overlapping six-year terms. The Governor of each state appoints six members to the board, subject to State Senate approval. The Port Authority may proceed with only those projects that both states authorize. Projects typically have public hearings and all regular board meetings are open to the public.

Department of State (DOS)
41 State Street Albany, NY 12231 Phone: (518) 474-4750
Email: info@dos.state.ny.us
www.doc.state.ny.us

NYC Office:
123 William Street
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 417-5801

The Department of State administers regulatory and service programs; provides advice and technical assistance to local governments and community organizations; fire training and arson prevention assistance, and handles citizen inquiries and complaints. Also regulates several occupational licensing programs; registers corporations, trademarks, and service marks; and files uniform commercial code statements.

DOS's Division of Coastal Resources is responsible for administering New York State's Coastal Management Program, which collects and analyzes information about local waterfront areas and makes recommendations to encourage watershed protection, fish and wildlife preservation, public access and appropriate commercial development. The Division provides financial and technical assistance to local governments and works with local stakeholders to promote the beneficial use of New York's coast.


New York State Department of Transportation (DOT)
Harriman State Campus Building 5
Albany, NY 12232
Phone: (518) 457-4422