The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State.

In 2025, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement fielded an estimated 101,169 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 35,575 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,673 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

“DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators enforce New York’s Environmental Conservation Law to ensure the protection of public safety and our vast natural resources, including air, water, wildlife, and New York’s one-of-a-kind outdoor spaces,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “This highly specialized and rewarding work is instrumental to upholding our stringent laws and making the great outdoors safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Illegal Burns – Ulster and Sullivan Counties ECOs in Ulster and Sullivan counties recently responded to incidents involving violations of New York’s burn ban.

On March 30, ECOs received a request from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office for assistance with a large structure fire in the Town of Esopus. An illegal outdoor burn quickly spread to structures and vehicles on the property and scorched several acres. The property owner received tickets for the unlawful burn and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Esopus Court to answer the charges. Multiple fire departments, EMS, and Ulster County Fire Investigators also responded to the fire.

On April 1, while conducting opening day trout season patrols in Sullivan County, Lieutenant Buckley observed an illegal open burn in progress. He and an ECO who assisted with the investigation ticketed the subject for unlawfully burning construction debris.

The public is reminded that New York’s burn ban is in effect from March 16 through May 14 due to increased risk of wildfires. Burning construction debris is prohibited year-round.