New York State Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Inventory Unit Wildlife Habitat Research Correspondence and Subject Files

By type of record. Freshwater wetlands inventory data sheets are arranged by county then town that the freshwater wetland is located.

The primary responsibilities of the Bureau of Wildlife's Habitat Inventory Unit (HIU) were to collect, track and monitor data and information related to wildlife habitats in New York State. Their work mainly focused on restoring the habitats of endangered species throughout New York. The unit is currently inactive.

A large portion of the records in this series are freshwater wetlands inventory data sheets. These sheets were created as a result of the Freshwater Wetlands Act (Chapter 614, Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law). Section 24-0103 of this law states that it is the public policy of the state to preserve, protect and conserve freshwater wetlands and the benefits derived therefrom, to prevent the despoliation and destruction of freshwater wetlands, and to regulate use and development of such wetlands to secure the natural benefits of freshwater wetlands, consistent with the general welfare and beneficial economic, social and agricultural development of the state.

This series documents the projects, activities and history of the Habitat Inventory Unit in the Bureau of Wildlife of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Records include correspondence, emails, and memorandums; inventory data sheets; articles and newspaper clippings; drafts of articles published in Department of Environmental Conservation publications; and reports related to the past work of the unit.

The bulk of the records in this series are Freshwater Wetlands Inventory Data Sheets. These sheets include data on location, measurements, special characteristics, and evidence of human influence on wetlands. Other major records in this series include performance reports and the Master Habitat Databank Project records. Performance reports are evaluations of the various projects of the Habitat Inventory Unit. The reports include the title and study number; study objective; job number and title; job objective; summary of activity; recommendations and remarks; target date for completion of project; status of progress; significant deviations; and the signatures of the author of the report. The Master Habitat Databank Project (MHDB) was an early computerized geographic information system that was used to access and analyze high priority natural resource data sets. Records include an overview of the MHDB, reports, correspondence, and memos related to the operation of the project.

A0743Series A0743, New York State Division of Fish and Wildlife Freshwater Wetlands Inventory Maps and

18851Series 18851 Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director's Office Chronological Correspondence Files, contain related records.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was transferred under RDA 22902.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.