Albany, NY - June 18th, 2013 - To help property owners in coastal areas affected by Storm Sandy to continue recovery efforts and rebuild safely within environmental guidelines, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) launched a one-stop website with guidance on how to move forward with post-storm reconstruction in coastal areas, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

"Governor Cuomo is committed to helping New Yorkers rebuild and recover after the devastation caused by Sandy," said Commissioner Martens. "Construction on or near the coast must follow certain guidelines to be safe and sustainable to make these structures more resilient in future storms. Because DEC wants it be easy as possible to stabilize, repair and rebuild on New York State coastlines we issued a general permit last year for certain activities. We have supplemented that information with further guidance so contractors, local officials and property owners have a convenient resource to consult prior to work getting underway. DEC staff is also happy to provide assistance."

In addition to providing essential permitting and post-storm reconstruction guidelines, the post-storm coastal reconstruction page, http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90699.html, lists the name, phone number and E-mail address of DEC Regional Permit Administrators who can answer questions about specific permits and projects.

The new web page, on-line now, includes information and links on the following subjects:

Permit Information Available: The website provides information on the various permits that may be needed prior to construction in coastal areas:

• General Permit: Provides information on what work can begin immediately in coastal areas under General Permits issued after Hurricane Sandy. These permits will expire October 31, 2013.
• Coastal Erosion Control Permit: Provides information on the regulated activities and permits required to undertake work within coastal erosion hazard areas.
• Tidal Wetlands Permit: describes what tidal wetlands are, where they occur, their benefits and the permit program that protects them. Links at the bottom of the page provide information to help determine what type(s) of permits are needed.
• Freshwater Wetlands Permit: describes what freshwater wetlands are, and provides links to answers to common permitting questions. The Freshwater Wetlands Program page has information about the benefits of freshwater wetlands, wetlands mapping, and links to related information at the bottom of the page.
• Protection of Waters Permit: Provides information about the effect of human activities in and around water bodies and what activities are permitted. Links at the bottom of the page provide information about applying for a Part 608 permit and useful techniques for working in and around water bodies and shorelines.

Design Guidance Available: The website also features guidance on best practices for construction in coastal areas:

• Coastal Erosion Control Design: Provides design and construction guidance including how to reduce the impact of construction on fish and wildlife habitats and other considerations. Covered structures and activities include, bulkheads, seawalls, revetments, dunes, homes, accessory structures and debris and sediment removal.
• Protection Against Wave-based Erosion and Protection Against Upland Erosion: Provides information and design advice about erosion protection structures, along with sustainable methods to reduce shoreline erosion.
• Post-Flood Stream Reconstruction - Guidelines and Best Practices: Provides information about construction in and around streams after a major flood event. The practices and techniques discussed here provide sustainable results when used to repair and stabilize streams and structures near them.
• Coastal Management: Provides an overview of the need for coastal erosion management and some of the causes of erosion and other issues that relate to human activities in the coastal zones.
• Floodplain Management: Provides general information about floodplain management including the National Flood Insurance Program and floodplain mapping.
• Floodplain Management Requirements After a Flood: Provides information and guidance about rebuilding substantially damaged structures in a flood plain and flood insurance. It gives contact information for DEC Central Office and regional floodplain management coordinators.

For more information, go directly to the post-storm coastal reconstruction page at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90699.html or go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/ and click on "Post-Storm Coastal Reconstruction."

For specific questions about permits and specific projects, contact the DEC Regional Permit Administrator in the affected area:

Region 1 (Long Island): Roger Evans, Regional Permit Administrator, 631-444-0365
Region 2 (New York City): John Cryan, Regional Permit Administrator, 718-482-4997
Region 3 (Lower Hudson River valley): Daniel Whitehead, Regional Permit Administrator, 845-256-3054