Current EMC Projects:

• The EMC’s endorsement of Resolution 2018247 that 6 members of the Dutchess County Legislature is recommending to the full membership. The title of the Resolution is: A LOCAL LAW ENCOURAGING THE USE OR REUSABLE BAGS VIS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SURCHARGE ON CARRYOUT DISPOSABLE BAGS. Clicking on the title will provide you with the full text of the resolution. This is an important read.
• State of the Environment Report: EMC members and staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, provided an updated State of the Environment Report for Dutchess County to the DC Legislature.  In parallel, the EMC gathered information on how municipalities handle waste management and recycling in the county – this will provide the basis of information to better educate residents about recycling. Also included with this report is the PowerPoint presentation made by Victoria Kelly to the Dutchess County Legislature. This is a summery of the salient points and conclusions of this study.
• Updating the Dutchess County Natural Resource Inventory: The EMC worked with staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, Department of Planning and Development, and numerous local environmental scientists and experts to update the county’s Natural Resource Inventory (NRI).  EMC members are now working to develop educational materials for the NRI.
• Pharmaceutical Take-Back Program:  Dutchess County has created 10 sites for taking back unused prescription medication or unwanted pharmaceuticals.  This does not include hazardous materials or syringes. This program is under the direction of the STOP DWI program.
• Information Exchange between CACs and the County: Each Conservation Advisory Council or Board in Dutchess County has one seat on the EMC; CAC members have the opportunity to update the EMC on issues of concern in their town, and work together on issues affecting the natural resources of the entire county. In recent years, the EMC holds a roundtable discussion with the Dutchess County Conservation Advisory Councils to share successes, challenges and goals for the coming year. A short report of the 2015 Roundtable is available here.
• Working on Local Environmental Issues: EMC members have identified several priorities for work in 2014-15 including educating residents about waste management and recycling; providing outreach on the impacts of road salt on water resources; working on Watershed Awareness Month activities; and helping educate the public about alternate energy efficiency and energy efficiency.
• Updating the Road Salt Special Report: The EMC in partnership with the Cary Institute, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County, Dutchess Area Environmental Science Advisory Network and Vassar College review the various methods of reducing road salt while still maintaining snow and ice free roads. The report outlines the need for addressing this issue as well as simple ways to improve road salt efficiency. Since this is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed on a regular basis, this report will be updated from time to time.
• Resiliency – Sustainability Report: The membership of the EMC has been working on the need to make provisions for the worst effects of climate change in Dutchess County. A report has been prepared that would bring our county, our townships, and our CAC’s up to speed on ways to mitigate the consequences that climate change would have on our environment. It is dense with suggestions and links to sites to places and organizations that have already addressed this topic and produced interesting reports. This report is dense with helpful links that explore the topic of Resiliency and Sustainability that can be applied to developing a plan at the county and township levels. To see the 8 page preliminary report click Dutchess Resiliency Report.   Also available is a copy of the GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PRACTICES TO CONSIDER FOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.

Past Projects:

• A Week of Shopping Green & Re-usable Shopping Bags: The EMC is providing outreach on the importance of reducing the use of plastic bags.  If just one person were to use 2 reusable bags in place of 4 plastic bags during each week’s shopping trip for a year, it would save over 200 plastic bags.  It is estimated that production of just 14 plastic bags uses the same amount of petroleum as driving a car for one mile ~ one person’s efforts over a year to use reusable shopping bags could therefore save enough petroleum needed to drive a car for 15 miles.
• Report on the invasive Mile-A-Minute Vine – with CCEDC
• Report on Ethanol and Air Quality Report – with CCEDC
• Cost Benefit Analysis – Brine vs. Rock Salt

EMC Annual Reports

• EMC 2021 Annual Report
• EMC 2020 Annual Report
• EMC 2017 Annual Report
• EMC 2016 Annual Report
• EMC 2015 Annual Report
• EMC 2014 Annual Report
• EMC 2013 Annual Report
• EMC 2012 Annual Report
• EMC 2011 Annual Report
• EMC 2010 Annual Report
• EMC 2009 Annual Report
• EMC 2008 Annual Report
• EMC 2007 Annual Report
• EMC 2006 Annual Report

Awards received by the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council

• • October 2010: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils, 2010 First Place Award for Outstanding Project to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the

“Dutchess County Natural Resource Inventory.”

• October 13, 2004: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils, 2004 First Place Outstanding Project Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the“Fishkill Creek Stream Walk Study.”
• October 4, 2003: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils,2003 First Place Project Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the“Fishkill Creek Watershed Land Use Study.”
• October 5, 2002: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils, 2002 Second Place Outstanding Project Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the“Wappinger Creek Greenprint.”
• November 3, 2000: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils,2000 First Place Education – Media Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the“Local Strategies for Wetland and Watercourse Protection: An Educational Guide.”
• September 12, 1998: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils,1998 Education Media/Media Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the“Natural Resource Inventory – A Guide to the Process.”
• October 19, 1996: NYS Association of Environmental Management Councils,Second Place Education/Media Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for“Contribution in enhancing the quality of the environment in their Community by developing the Directory of Environmental Management Assistance for Dutchess County.”
• October 19, 1996: NY State Association of Environmental Management Councils, Second Place Project-Plan Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for“Outstanding Accomplishments in Enhancing the Quality of the Environment in their Community by developing the Model Ordinance for Wetland, Waterbody, and Watercourse Protection.”
• October 23, 1993: NY State Association of Environmental Management Councils, First Place Award to theDutchess County Environmental Management Council for the“Catherine Street Center Summer Workshop: Water and You.”
• April 28, 1992: State of NY Executive Chamber, Albany, New YorkGovernor Mario Cuomo, “Salute marking the 20th Anniversary of the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council and its Volunteers for their Creative Vision and Stewardship.”