Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources

The DER is located within Rockland County government and serves as the environmental department responsible for informing the County Executive and the County Legislature on all environmental issues. These include but are not limited to, state and federal initiatives, new programs, funding sources, concerns of residents and environmental problems within the county. The DER includes the Environmental Management Council, Soil and Water Conservation District, Water Quality Committee and the Parks Commission. Our goal has been two-fold: to protect Rockland's environment and to provide county residents both active and passive recreational opportunities. Park acquisitions have been attained through county funds matched with federal and state grants along with land donations, tax delinquency and partnerships with land trusts and other municipalities. The Rockland County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) was established in 1965 and is responsible for developing Soil and Water Conservation District programs to protect and conserve soil, water, prime and unique farmland, wildlife, energy and other renewable resources to meet the needs of the local land user on non-federal lands. The Board of Directors represent the County's five towns. They are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Legislature. District programs encourage municipalities and residents to conserve water and to protect our existing water resources. The District offers FREE environmental education programs to students of all ages throughout the year, monitors our water quality for fish health, assesses the health of our culverts and bridges, and collaborates with regional and local organizations annually on a variety of projects such as the NYS DEC endorsed 4 Hour Training in Erosion & Sediment Control as well as the NYS DEC sponsored American eel project.