By Gwendolyn Craig
Basil Seggos, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, announced on Wednesday he will step down from his post this spring.
He is the longest-serving DEC commissioner, appointed first in 2015 under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“For nearly a decade, Commissioner Seggos has led the Department of Environmental Conservation through a pivotal moment in our climate fight,” said a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul. “His leadership has been instrumental in safeguarding our land and water, combatting climate change, protecting New Yorkers during extreme storms, and supporting the incredible outdoor recreation programs across the state. Governor Hochul is grateful for Commissioner Seggos’ dedication to protecting New Yorkers and our environment.”
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The news of Seggos’ upcoming resignation was first reported by POLITICO after the publication obtained an email the commissioner sent to staff. The DEC and governor’s office confirmed his departure with the Explorer. In the email, Seggos said he will stay with the department through the state budget negotiations.
It is not clear what Seggos, 49, has planned next, and it is not clear who will take his place in the interim.
In a statement, the DEC highlighted Seggos’ “instrumental roles in the implementation of New York’s nation-leading climate initiatives, protecting drinking water from emerging contaminants, directing record investments in natural resource and water quality protection, enhancing recreational access, and growing DEC’s workforce to more than 3,000 staff.”
This isn’t the first time the commissioner announced he would resign. In November 2018, Seggos announced he would be leaving before changing course in February 2019 and remaining another five years.
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Seggos’ tenure included finishing a significant Adirondack Park land purchase, 69,000-acre Finch, Pruyn & Company lands. Just last week, Seggos also announced the largest land conservation effort in the Adirondacks since, the protection of Follensby Pond and its 14,600 acres by purchasing easements from The Nature Conservancy.
Prior to his commissioner post, Seggos was Cuomo’s deputy secretary for the environment. He has also served with the U.S. Army Reserve and made several trips to Ukraine in recent years.
Top photo: Basil Seggos, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, at a budget hearing on Wednesday in Albany. Photo by Gwendolyn Craig
While I admire your military service Mr. Seggos please stay out of Tennessee. We don’t need any more environmental activists in the Tennessee state government.
Good luck!
Good riddance. He did nothing for this state other then cost people more money they don’t have.
Just like our governor is doing!!
The inconvenient truth is that under Seggos the Environmental Conservation Police have been defunded by 70 officers. This is hard to understand in light of all the concern over climate change and green initiatives outlined in the bond act. These officers are on the front line enforcing our pollution law. The hypocrisy is unbelievable!
The first requirement of the new commissioner will be to kiss the ring of the Environmental Lobby and force all NYSDEC employees to pledge an oath of allegiance to them.
And that is not the way it should be
My simple I detected there were two e-bikes in that picture what class were they were they legal were they were inquiring minds want to know, Folks that ride e bikes they’re more aware over the Areas that are open to class one bikes to share with the walkers and are and how much money is being spent to buy these tax bang parcels and turn them into zero tax paying properties for their respective townships with no or minimal reimbursement, So continue your hate of snowmobiles and ignore the E bikes and you will feel better green lobby spring is here