Permit Process
General Regulatory Information
State regulations for the protection of the riverbed and riverbank are found in Article 15, Title 5 – Environmental Conservation Law of the NYS Rules and Regulations (6NYCRR Part 608).
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website has a lot of relevant information, including the full text of the regulations:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/
The Little Hoosic River is within Region 4 of the DEC so our primary state agency contacts are at this regional office.
Region 4 Headquarters
1130 North Westcott Road
Schenectady, NY 12306-2014
518-357-2068
Region 4 Sub-office
65561 State Highway 10,
Suite 1
Stamford, NY 12167
For information about stream classifications and for help with permits:
Nancy Adams, Deputy Regional Permit Administrator for NYSDEC Region 4. Telephone: 518-357-2452
Staff members of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:
The fishery biologist for Region 4 works in the Stanford office. The biologist determines stocking rates, writes revisions to fishing regulations, and does surveys of waters and fisheries. Contact:
(607) 652-7366
The habitat biologist works with County DPWs, towns, and individuals on protection of waters (streams and lakes). He responds to violations. (607) 652-7366
You can get additional, general information about the Little Hoosic River on our Facts and FAQs page. Our Resources page has other useful web links.
Permit Application Information
If the work will disturb the bed or banks of the river in a temporary or permanent way, a government permit is required.
Examples of work in the river or on the river bank that require a permit include:
- Emergency Stream Repair (as a result of natural disasters): including stabilization, debris removal, gravel removal
- Stream Restoration/Stabilization/Rip Rap (300 feet of stream bank or less)
The riverbank is defined as 50' up the bank from high water mark if the bank has an angle of 45° or less, or to the crest of the slope until there is a clear break in the slope if the bank has
an angle of 45° or more.
A full list of work that requires a permit can be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6048.html
Most streams in the Little Hoosic watershed are protected, not just the Little Hoosic itself. You can find out if a particular stream is protected, so that a permit is required for some types of work, by contacting Nancy Adams at 518-357-2452 or on-line at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4524.html
How to Apply
Application must be made to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. There is a single application form to apply to both.
Download the forms and the application instructions:
Instructions for completing the Joint Application for Permit form (PDF)
Joint Application for Permit Form (PDF)
Permission to Inspect Property form (PDF)
General Permit GP 0-06-001 - Removal or Modification of Recent Beaver Dams (PDF)
The Little Hoosic Watershed Association can assist with the application process. Contact a board member, or email us for more information.
Tracking the Status of a Permit
When a permit application is received by the Department it is logged into the Department Application Review Tracking (DART) system, so you can track the status of your permit. The system is accessed at:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/envapps/index.cfm?view=wizard
The search wizard retrieves information directly from the DART database. As soon as new information is entered into the DART system, it becomes immediately available to the search wizard. Applications can be tracked regularly by entering the 15 digit DEC permit application number or by performing an application search.