ALBANY, N.Y. — Basil Seggos, who has served as commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) since 2015, will be leaving his position this spring.
During his tenure, Seggos played a key role in implementing the state’s environmental policies and regulations to combat climate change, according to the DEC. His efforts also helped the department in “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, among the many notable highlights over his tenure,” the department said in a statement provided to CNYBJ.
Seggos is the longest-serving DEC commissioner, the agency noted. The DEC’s statement didn’t include any details about his future plans.
In addition to leading the DEC, Seggos also advises the governor on environmental policy and issues, per his biography on the DEC website.