1. Consolidating Permitting.

We have a 'Joint Application Form' which covers permitting for agencies that may each issue a permit for a certain activity. these agencies are the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Office of General Services, NYS Department of State and the US Army Corps of Engineers. the applicant sends one copy of the application form plus all documentation to each of the agencies that they may need a permit from. Each agency would issue their own permit but the applicant only has to fill out one form. The department also uses General Permits or Standard Activity Permits in certain circumstances. 

 2. Pre-application process and communication.

the NYSDEC does encourage pre-application meetings with applicants as a way to get a complete up front, rather than having to go back to the applicant to obtain more information. The application form has also been revised to note in detail the information needed by the permitting agencies in order to make a permitting decision. All the other permitting agencies also try to consult with each other during application review. they can also access our application management program to see where the permitting process is. we also share data based mapping information with each other so it is available to each agency's staff for their application review, for example wetland maps, coastal inventories, facilities.

3. On-line applications.

the NYSDEC decided that it would be difficult to utilize an on-line application given the amount of information necessary to make a permit decision. I believe the department doesn't have the technology necessary to support an on-line application either.

4. Utilizing science and technology.

the NYSDEC has an on-line resource mapper that applicants can use to obtain information on what resources are present on their property/site, wetland maps, etc. the department's website has detailed information on how to obtain a permit, explains why we protect certain natural resources, gives contact information and also what other state/federal agencies need to be contacted. there is all our staff have access to arcview as a means to obtain all information needed about a project site.

5. Data management.

the department has a computer based application tracking system called DART. all permit applications are entered and tracked through out the process. applicants can access the DART system through the department's website to see where in the process their application is.

Summary prepared by Debra Ludwig Dunbrook – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Permits.