Pushing for stronger oversight to protect wetlands
April 3, 2025
Riverkeeper Team
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) recently released new draft permits aimed to streamline the application process for projects — such as housing developments, utility maintenance projects, and solar installations — in state-regulated waters and freshwater wetlands.
Riverkeeper is concerned that these draft permits would allow potentially damaging activities in sensitive wetland areas with limited oversight, weak enforcement, and inadequate mitigation and restoration requirements. The potential risk to wetlands is particularly alarming given New York State’s recent efforts to strengthen wetland protections.
This week, Riverkeeper submitted extensive comments urging the NYS DEC to amend the draft permits to better align with the state’s conservation goals. Protecting New York's freshwater wetland ecosystems must remain a priority.
Related campaigns
Protecting and restoring habitats
The Hudson River watershed is home to a breathtaking diversity of life. Protecting and restoring our aquatic habitats is critical for their renewal and for a healthy future for all life in the watershed
Water quality monitoring
Riverkeeper is the go-to source for information about the quality of the water along the Hudson River and its tributaries
Strengthening protections against a changing climate
Supporting nature-based solutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change
Related news
January 9, 2025
NYS DEC finalizes regulations to protect freshwater wetlands
Update
February 8, 2024
Protecting New York’s freshwater wetlands is now more important than ever
Drew Gamils
Blog