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Competency Area 9: Conservation Planning AEM

PO 90. Understand the roles and responsibilities of the local, state, and federal conservation agencies (i.e. CES, SWCD, FSA, NRCS, DEC, RD, EPA, DOH, and RC&D).

  1. Cooperative Extension Service (CES)
  2. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
  3. Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA)
  4. Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)
  5. Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS-DEC)
  6. Rural Development (USDA-RD)
  7. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA)
  8. Department of Health (NYS-DOH, County-DOH)

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS-DEC)

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was created to bring together in a single agency all state programs directed toward protecting and enhancing the environment.

"The quality of our environment is fundamental to our concern for the quality of life. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of New York to conserve, improve and protect its natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being." - Environmental Conservation Law, Article 1

DEC's goal is to achieve this mission by embracing the elements of sustainability – the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity, and social wellbeing, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives. http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/511.html