New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Executive Deputy Commissioner's Subject and Correspondence Files

B2520-84A: Alphabetical.

B2520-90A: Chronological and then alphabetical.

B2520-19: By major topic.

This series consists of correspondence, briefings documents, reports, and other records documenting the decisions and policy making work of the Executive Deputy Commissioner.

B2520-84A: This accretion consists of the subject and correspondence files of M. Peter Lanahan, Jr. who served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation from January 1979 to June 1983. These records cover his service from 1979 to 1981 and deal with such environmental issues as land acquisitions, fish and wildlife management, sewage treatment, and hazardous waste disposal. Records of particular interest include files relating to the Adirondack Park Agency, the construction of Crossgates Mall in the Pine Bush area of Albany County, and the Hooker Chemical Company's disposal of hazardous wastes at the Love Canal site in Erie County. Records include correspondence, memoranda, reports (published and unpublished), printed materials such as brochures, pamphlets and newsletters, press releases, speeches and presentations, hearing testimonies, legislative and grant proposals, mailing lists, copies of newspaper and magazine articles, and departmental budget material.

B2520-90A: This accretion contains records of two Executive Deputy Commissioners: M. Peter Lanahan and J. Langdon Marsh. Mr. Lanahan served in this role from 1979-1983 and Mr. Marsh served in this role from 1983-1995. Mr. Lanahan's records include daybooks, memoranda, and records relating to the gypsy moth program, the Adirondack Railroad, and the Beaver River Trail. Mr. Marsh's records include memoranda, daybooks, speaking engagements and presentations. These records relate to topics such as landfills, hazardous waste and remediation, GE chemical spills, and the Hudson River.

B2520-19: This accretion contains records from Ronald W. Pedersen, who served as First Deputy Commissioner from 1970 to 1974. Files include texts and notes of speeches; documents relating to the initial organization of the Department of Environmental Conservation; outlines and drafts of the "Environmental Plan for New York State," 1970, updated in 1974; and background and promotional materials relating to the $1.15 billion issue of bonds under the Environmental Quality Bond Act approved by the voters in 1972.

B2520-19: These records were transferred by Ronald W. Pedersen in 2014.

Accretion 13063-84A was reaccessioned as B2520-84A as part of the State Archives' project to separate records of executive staff from the Commissioner's Files. These records have now been scheduled under RDA 20639.

Accretion 13063-90A was reaccessioned as B2520-90A as part of the State Archives' project to separate records of executive staff from the Commissioner's Files. These records have now been scheduled under RDA 20639.

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