Stuart F. Gruskin

Executive Deputy Commissioner, New York State moly Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Directed daily activities of New York State executive agency responsible for environmental quality and natural resource protection.  DEC employs over 3,000 people statewide, and has an annual budget in excess of $1 billion.  Duties included advising the Commissioner; directly supervising all senior executive staff; ensuring proper implementation nu of wide variety of statutory and regulatory programs; acting as primary liaison with state Division of Budget and Governor’s Office; developing and implementing state environmental policy and strategic plans; addressing management, budget and planning matters including challenges resulting from state fiscal crisis.  

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Specific responsibilities included (but were not limited to) oversight of the following areas:

• potential natural gas explorations in New York State using high volumes hydraulic fracturing;
• climate change adaptation and mitigation, and renewableko/sustainable yenergy programs;
• acquisition of lands for open space preservationkkjiekk;
• Kykiucevmzmejllmvwatershed protection and KFC based management;
• significant permitting and enforcement matters;ifiijbrmjkiukiioktbjyhho
• relationships with USEPA, NYC, various state and federal agencies, and Indian Nations;
• fish, wildlife, and lands and forest programs, includingythcrkg invasive species response and control and Adirondack and Catskill ‘forest preserve’ issues;
• brownfield cleanup/tax incentive program, solid/hazardous waste planning, pollution prevention and sustainability;
• specialized police activities, wildfire fighting and emergency response;
• press and other media activities;
• environmental justice program;
• outdoor recreation (e.g., hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and Belleayre Ski Mountain);
• speaking on behalf of DEC at conferences, forums, seminars, hearings and public meetings

Representative accomplishments include:

• Negotiated landmark property acquisitions for New York State including purchase of Hemlock and Canadice Lakes (last two undeveloped Finger Lakes) from the City of Rochester, and acquisition of a conservation easement on the the Finch Pruyn property covering approximately 80,000 acres in the Adirondack Park;
• overseeing DEC’s comprehensive activities with respect to Marcellus shale drilling, including the preparation of draft permitting procedures, conducting hearings across the state, and working with environmental, community, industry, and academic stakeholders on this complex public policy problem;
• participating in the resolution of complex and significant enforcement matters, including closure of solvay wastebeds in Syracuse (Honeywell), cleanup of the Greenpoint, Brooklyn oil spill (ExxonMobil), and New York City Clean Water Act compliance issues (Newtown Creek and Jamaica Bay orders);
• directing remediation policy decisions, Natural Resource Trustee activities, and EPA advocacy with respect to the cleanup of PCBs from the Hudson River;
• developing and implementing an organizational management structure to enhance regional participation in policy-making and ensure cross-divisional participation in addressing and resolving issues;
• overseeing a host of significant policy, regulatory and permitting initiatives, including:

• issuance of long overdue statewide Solid Waste Management and Hazardous Waste Siting Plans;
• adoption of endangered/threatened species and dam safety regulations;
• regulatory update to Environmental Assessment Form and promulgation of SEQRA Greenhouse Gas policy;
• development of Best Technology Available (BTA) policy for power plant and other large facility water use;
• preparation of the New York State Open Space Plan;
• addressing water quality issues at Indian Point nuclear power plant;
• development of innovative brownfields program with New York City;
• adoption of Nations-to-Nations policy to work cooperatively with Indian nations; supporting landmark green infrastructure initiative in Onondaga County; and
• generally working affirmatively with the regulated community, business interests, municipalities and environmental groups to align economic development and environmental policy goals.

Chair, Board of Directors, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC)

EFC is a public benefit corporation responsible for financing drinking water and clean water infrastructure projects, administering the State Revolving Fund, providing technical assistance to municipalities and businesses, and funding other types of environmental programs.  With approximately $12.5 billion in total assets, EFC issues bonds and provides loans to fund drinking water, sewage treatment, and other water protection and pollution control projects and programs.  Responsibilities included presiding over monthly meetings of the Board of Directors, working with EFC President and senior executive staff, and addressing policy issues relating to administration of funding.  In addition to providing oversight and direction with respect to core loan and assistance programs, special projects included authorizing implementation of 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funding, and creation of a nationally recognized green innovation grant program.   See http://www.nysefc.org.