ALBANY – The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued Emergency Declarations to allow the use of a General Permit for emergency repairs as a result of Hurricane Sandy and to suspend permit requirements for pumping out flood waters in New York City. The general permit will allow municipalities and private landowners to quickly perform emergency repairs and stabilize waterfronts, roads and bridges in the coastal areas of the state. The suspension of the permit requirement for pumping water in New York City will allow residents and businesses to remove water from affected buildings immediately.

“The State continues to work to protect communities and vital infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “All state agencies are ensuring that the State’s response as a whole to the storm is expeditious and effective. These emergency declarations will ensure communities can work on recovery efforts as soon as possible under the best practices identified by DEC.”

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said, “In response to the Governor’s call for state agencies to respond for Hurricane Sandy, DEC mobilized emergency management teams in every affected region to assist localities in dealing with damage caused by storm surge, high winds and flooding. Those teams are focusing on responding to communities, businesses and homeowners adversely impacted by the hurricane until recovery is complete. Staff will issue general permits to allow municipalities and the general public to quickly take the steps necessary to stabilize and repair property, roads and bridges.”today announced that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued Emergency Declarations to allow the use of a General Permit for emergency repairs as a result of Hurricane Sandy and to suspend permit requirements for pumping out flood waters in New York City. The general permit will allow municipalities and private landowners to quickly perform emergency repairs and stabilize waterfronts, roads and bridges in the coastal areas of the state. The suspension of the permit requirement for pumping water in New York City will allow residents and businesses to remove water from affected buildings immediately.

“The State continues to work to protect communities and vital infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy,” Governor Cuomo said. “All state agencies are ensuring that the State’s response as a whole to the storm is expeditious and effective. These emergency declarations will ensure communities can work on recovery efforts as soon as possible under the best practices identified by DEC.”

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said, “In response to the Governor’s call for state agencies to respond for Hurricane Sandy, DEC mobilized emergency management teams in every affected region to assist localities in dealing with damage caused by storm surge, high winds and flooding. Those teams are focusing on responding to communities, businesses and homeowners adversely impacted by the hurricane until recovery is complete. Staff will issue general permits to allow municipalities and the general public to quickly take the steps necessary to stabilize and repair property, roads and bridges.”