For information on the Partnership for Manageable Growth (PMG) Open Space & Farmland Protection program, please visit Planning and Development's Partnership for Manageable Growth webpage or contact Planning and Development at: (845) 486-3600.

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The Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service Agency has access to this information.   Click on the link to Products and Services then on the link to Price Lists in the left navigation menu of the Real Property Tax Service Agency's homepage for pricing on aerial photography, tax maps, election district maps, agriculture district maps, legislative district maps, highway maps and varous other items. For more information contact, Real Property Tax Service Agency (845) 486-2140.

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Outdoor burning may require a DEC permit or a municipal permit; it depends upon the municipality and the location.*  To find out if a permit is required in the area where you want to have an open fire, contact both the DEC Regional Office (Dutchess County is in Region 3) and the municipality in which you want to have the fire.  Click Here for municipal contact information.

For more information regarding open burning, click visit the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4261.html.

* Open burning is prohibited within incorporated villages and cities.

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On the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website you can search by state park and/or by region as well as by attractions- such as powerboats,  to find a list of state parks meeting the selected criteria.  Along with general park information, each park listed will give information about additional attractions, driving directions, contact information, seasons/hours open, and whether or not pets are allowed.  Click Here to access the search function on this website.

To find out whether powerboats are permitted on a private body of water, you will need to contact the owner(s) of the property. 

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According to the Hudson River Valley Greenway Website:

"The Hudson River Valley Greenway is an innovative state sponsored program created to facilitate the development of a voluntary regional strategy for preserving scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources while encouraging compatible economic development and maintaining the tradition of home rule for land use decision-making."

Click Here for more information about the Hudson River Valley Greenway Compact Program.

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Click Here to access the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s webpage regarding pesticides that includes links to FAQs about New York State's Pesticide Program and other helpful information.

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To find information and regulations about New York State's lakes, rivers, watershed areas, wetlands and open space areas, visit New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Lands and Waters webpage.

It should be noted that some towns, cities and villages may also regulate wetlands and watersheds and may even map them. This is in addition to the state requirements. The federal government (Corps of Engineers) can also get involved in wetland regulations.

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Visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s webpages regarding hunting and fishing information and regulations.

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For more information on regulations for dirt bikes, mopeds, ATVs, snowmobiles and motorized scooters, visit New York State Department of Motor Vehicle's Frequently Asked Questions.

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For soil survey maps or questions, please call the Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District at (845) 677-8011. 

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Click on the following links to access the webpages of the various environmental agencies and organizations in our region:

Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District
Hudsonia
Scenic Hudson
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
Hudson River Valley Greenway
The Nature Conservancy

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You may purchase sporting licenses and permits using one of the following methods:

1. On-line through the website of the Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (D.E.C.A.L.S.)
2. At any license issuing outlet which includes most town clerks' offices and many sporting goods stores - click Here to access municipality contact information
3. By phone: 1-86-NY-DECALS (1-866-933-2257)
4. By mail - click Here to access the webpage containing a link to the mail-in license application form (.pdf).

Visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's webpage that includes links to requirements, regulations, guides and fees.

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Depending upon the urgency and the level of danger involved, either call the non-emergency contact number for your local law enforcement agency, or if the situation is an emergency, call 9-1-1.  An emergency is any situation that to preserve life or property, immediate response by emergency medical agencies, fire or police is required.

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Visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Map Collection webpage to find information regarding the use of ATV's on specific state-owned areas and properties.

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Outdoor burning may require a DEC permit or a municipal permit; it depends upon the municipality and the location.*  To find out if a permit is required in the area where you want to have an open fire, contact both the DEC Regional Office (Dutchess County is in Region 3) and the municipality in which you want to have the fire.  For more information regarding open burning, visit the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4261.html.

* Open burning is prohibited within incorporated villages and cities.

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No, not all public lands are open to hunters.   Eighty-five percent of the state is privately owned, and more than ninety percent of all hunters will hunt on private lands (only with prior permission) during the hunting seasons.

Some state lands are open for hunting and trapping during the appropriate seasons.  For information on hunting and trapping opportunities and rules governing the use of state land, contact the DEC Regional Office for the county in which you would like to hunt (Dutchess County is in Region 3).  Click Here for regional office contact information.

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Contact the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency at (845) 463-6020 or visit their website at http://www.dcrra.org/index2.html to see their Meds Disposal Collection Day Event schedule.

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All sharps to include needles, syringes and lancets must be placed in a rigid, puncture resistant closure such as a coffee can or a specifically made container called a sharps container.  As of July 1996, sharps from Dutchess County households can be taken to area hospitals for proper disposal.  Some of them also offer approved containers for sale. Please refer to the following website for the specific times, days and locations:  http://www.dcrra.org/sharps.html.

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A list of all Environmental Impact Statements submitted by the departments of Dutchess County Government to the State DEC can be found on the following webpage: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/10880.htm.  Individual EIS's will also be listed under the responsible county departrment.

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Development applications to city, town, and village municipal boards that must, according to State Law, be sent to the county are those applications that involve property within 500 feet of any one of the following:

A municipal boundary;
A county or state, existing or proposed, road;
A county or state, existing or proposed, park or recreation area;
A county or state owned property, existing or proposed, on which a public building or institution is located, and;
A farm operation located in a designated agricultural district (does not apply to area variances).

View The Zoning Referral Process (.pdf) for more information.

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Click on the following links for this information:

• Dutchess County Tourism’s guide to Farm Markets and Farmers Markets
  
  
• The Hudson Valley FRESH website, for information related to purchasing locally produced food

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There are farming grants available from the Dutchess County Partnership for Manageable Growth.  Click on the following link for more information:
  http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/Business/Agriculture/BUSagfund.pdf.

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Contact Cornell University Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, 2715 Route 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY  12545, Phone (845) 677-8223 to speak with a master gardener.

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