ALBANY - After a successful pilot program that saw dramatic increases in compliance with environmental laws in small regulated facilities, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today expanded the program to communities from Buffalo to Long Island. Operation ECO-Quality combines enhanced outreach, consultation and environmental community policing activities to help prevent pollution in some of New York’s most environmentally burdened communities.

“By bringing smaller businesses into compliance, DEC is improving environmental health in some of New York State’s most vulnerable communities,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “We are committed to preventing pollution whenever and wherever possible, especially when there is a school, playground or church nearby.”

“A healthy environment is a cornerstone of good health. DEC’s Operation ECO-Quality has led to greater compliance with State environmental laws which, in turn, helps to ensure communities have clean air and water,” State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah, M.D., M.P.H., said. “We commend DEC for expanding this important pollution-prevention initiative that will further protect public health by helping prevent diseases that result from environmental exposure.”

Operation ECO-Quality was successfully piloted in three Westchester County communities in 2010. In the City of Yonkers, the compliance rate more than doubled, jumping from 42 percent to 91 percent. In Mount Vernon, the rate climbed from 36 percent to 86 percent, and in Peekskill, it rose from 45 percent to 83 percent.  DEC’s report on the pilot program can be viewed at: www.dec.ny.gov/public/83550.html.

DEC is expanding Operation ECO-Quality to Western New York, the Capital Region, New York City and Long Island.  The program focuses on encouraging greater compliance with environmental laws to address potential environmental health and quality of life issues. The communities into which the program will expand include the South Bronx in New York City, Wyandanch on Long Island, and specific neighborhoods in the cities of Buffalo and Albany. DEC expects to add more communities to the program in the coming months.