The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the state’s Environmental Conservation Law, which includes 71 chapters aimed at protecting fish, wildlife, and environmental quality throughout New York. Since its establishment in 1880 with the first eight Game Protectors, the division has continued to focus on safeguarding natural resources and public safety.
In the first half of 2025, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement received an estimated 45,000 calls. These led Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators to respond to more than 18,934 complaints and issue 9,440 tickets or arrests for violations that included deer poaching, illegal dumping of solid waste, unauthorized mining activities, trafficking in illegal pets, and excessive vehicle emissions. In comparison, during all of 2024 the division fielded over 105,717 calls resulting in responses to more than 30,109 complaints and the issuance of 15,755 tickets or arrests.
“DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators protect New York’s air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors,” Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC’s ECOs and Investigators are undertaking to enforce New York’s Environmental Conservation Law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient New York State.”
Recent cases highlighted by DEC include an emissions investigation in Schoharie County where ECO Bohling responded to a complaint about a local vehicle repair shop modifying diesel truck exhaust systems. The case began when another repair shop discovered altered exhaust information on a customer’s truck. After interviewing those involved and reviewing financial records and depositions during an extended investigation process, it was determined that three additional trucks had been similarly modified at the same facility. The facility owner now faces four misdemeanor charges under state law for selling emissions control modifiers; proceedings will take place in Town of Middleburgh Court.
In Greene County on July 25th this year, a subject paid penalties exceeding $25,000 following illegal excavation activities affecting protected waterbodies. Initial complaints about stream disturbances led ECOs Palmateer and Smith to investigate reports from residents who observed trucks transporting excavated material. Further inquiry revealed several protected streams had been disturbed by the same individual. Evidence collected included receipts and video footage showing streambed material being sold. The investigation resulted in multiple violations cited under state regulations for disturbing protected streams as well as conducting grading or dredging within buffer zones near freshwater wetlands. An Order on Consent signed in July imposed a civil penalty totaling $26,625.
Another incident involved wildlife rescue efforts in Delaware County when ECO Osborne responded on August 23rd to reports of an injured great horned owl found unable to fly near Hancock. The bird was captured safely but later died from internal injuries despite rehabilitation attempts.
Additionally on August 28th in Suffolk County at Captree State Park, ECOs collaborated with DEC I FISH NY staff and members from New York State Parks as part of a fishing clinic organized for adults with special needs through Life’s WORC Services and Programs—a community organization supporting individuals with disabilities or autism. Participants caught various fish species before releasing them back into the water.
For reporting environmental crimes or incidents statewide around-the-clock dispatch is available via phone at 1-844-DEC-ECOS or email for non-urgent matters.
