DEC Environmental Justice Listening Session in Elmira

NY DEC Press Releases

Published February 27th, 2026

Detected February 27th, 2026

Summary

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced an environmental justice listening session in Elmira on March 17, 2026. This session is part of an ongoing series to enhance engagement with communities with environmental justice concerns and to prioritize future outreach efforts.

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What changed

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced an environmental justice listening session to be held in Elmira on March 17, 2026. This event is part of a series aimed at fostering meaningful engagement with communities that have environmental justice concerns, building relationships between the agency and community members, and prioritizing future outreach efforts for public participation. The session will include a resource fair and round-table discussions on climate adaptation, green remediation, and access to public lands, followed by remarks from DEC leadership and an opportunity for attendees to provide input.

While this is an informational notice and does not impose new regulatory requirements, regulated entities and interested parties in the Elmira area are encouraged to attend to provide feedback on environmental issues and learn about available grant and technical assistance opportunities. Requests for language interpretation services must be made by March 1, 2026. The DEC is committed to protecting environmental quality and addressing burdens in communities that need it most.

What to do next

Register for the Elmira environmental justice listening session by the stated deadline.
Submit requests for language interpretation services by March 1, 2026.
Attend the session to provide input on local environmental issues and learn about available resources.

Source document (simplified)

February 27, 2026

DEC Announces March 17 Environmental Justice Listening Session in Elmira

Elmira Session is Seventh in DEC’s Listening Session Series

Community Conversations and Engagement around New York State’s Sustained Efforts to Advance Environmental Justice

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced an environmental justice (EJ) listening session in Elmira to support and enhance meaningful engagement with communities with EJ concerns. The event supports DEC’s ongoing efforts to promote and enhance the existing New York State Environmental Justice Programs to better serve communities, build relationships between the agency and community members, and help prioritize future outreach efforts for public participation.

“The upcoming EJ listening session in Elmira offers residents direct access to DEC’s technical environmental experts in a historically disadvantaged community,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “In the face of federal attacks, DEC remains committed to ongoing engagement to protect environmental quality in the Southern Tier and working directly to address burdens in communities that need it most.”

DEC’s listening sessions are organized by the Office of Environmental Justice and regional staff to convene senior agency leadership with leaders and residents of EJ and disadvantaged communities. Visit DEC’s website for more information about the Office of Environmental Justice.

The Elmira listening session will be held on March 17, 2026, in Stephans Lounge, Meier Hall, at Elmira College, 625 Gates Lane, Elmira, NY 14901. Register for the event. Future sessions will be announced throughout 2026.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. attendees are welcome to participate in an informal and interactive resource fair and round-table discussions on climate adaptation; green and sustainable remediation; and access to public lands.

There will be a formal presentation and remarks by DEC leadership at 6:30 p.m., with opportunities for attendees to provide input afterward. Participants can engage with staff to provide comments and feedback on environmental issues in their neighborhoods during the listening session. DEC will also have information on available grant and technical assistance opportunities.

DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice works to address environmental issues and concerns that affect primarily low-income and minority communities through grant opportunities, implementation of environmental laws and regulations, consultation, guidance, and enhanced public participation. For more information on DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice, visit the DEC website.

Language interpretation services shall be made available to persons with limited English proficiency, including American Sign Language, at no cost. Requests can be directed to the DEC Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement by mail (address: DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), e-mail ([email protected]), or phone 518- 402-8028. Request an interpreter by March 1, 2026.

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