New York

Fish, Wildlife and Biodiversity

New York Department of Environmental Conservation (http://www.dec.ny.gov/)
This is the state agency responsible for the conservation and management of the state’s natural resources including wildlife and aquatic resources. Sources of information on threatened and endangered species include:

Natural Heritage Program (http://www.nynhp.org/)
This program provides information on state and federal threatened and endangered plants and wildlife, habitats of particular conservation concern, and stewardship actions designed to benefit these important natural resources. The site has an online mapping tool, New York Nature Explorer, that provides general locations of threatened and endangered species and natural communities of concern at the county, town, and watershed level as well as within a user-defined area. **Site-specific data requests are available free of charge.

State Wildlife Action Plan (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9404.html)
In 2005, all states completed a State Wildlife Action Plan, to identify and focus management on fish and wildlife in greatest need of conservation. This document provides an overview of key species (primarily nongame) and habitats of conservation concern throughout the state.

Special Sites

New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation- State Historic Preservation Office (http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/)
This is the primary state agency with knowledge and expertise in historic preservation, providing assistance in identifying and protecting historic properties, archaeological sites, burial places, and other cultural sites in the state. The staff includes preservation specialists (including historians, architectural historians, historic architects, and archaeologists). This office also maintains the State Preservation Historical Information Network Exchange, which has information on documented historic and cultural resources in the state. A Geographic Information System program is also available that depicts approximate boundaries of state and National Register properties and districts. An additional overlay shows the general location of the state's known archeological areas (buffer zones are used). A user can select a county and town and then zoom into the map to find the location of a listed property or known areas of archeological sensitivity.

Natural Resources Conservation Service- Cultural Resources (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cultural.html)
The NRCS provides financial and technical assistance, including guidance related to cultural resources, to implement conservation practices. Prior to implementation, NRCS staff or other conservation partners will normally conduct site visits that include an inventory of cultural resources. If resources are identified, they can help provide options for preservation and a variety of appropriate land uses. Even if you are not receiving funding from NRCS, the Cultural Resources Specialist or Coordinator can provide information regarding cultural resources and may be able to visit your property or connect you with other organizations or individuals for assistance. The Cultural Resources Directory can be used to locate your state’s Cultural Resources Specialist or Coordinator.

New York State Archives (http://www.archives.nysed.gov/aindex.shtml)
The State Archives identifies, preserves, and makes accessible records (such as census records, military records, family histories, and various county, state and federal records) and other documents of historical value to the state.

Best Management Practices

States are required by the federal Clean Water Act to identify Best Management Practices to control surface runoff and other forms of nonpoint pollution. In many states in the US, BMPs are considered voluntary for forest owners. However, the AFF’s Standard of Sustainability says that to be certified, forest owners must apply BMPs (Standard 4, Performance Measure 4.1). States are given the flexibility to define their own BMPs appropriate to the management measure and approved by EPA and below is the link to your state’s BMPs:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/dlfbmpguide.pdf