Walton Reporter (no website), November 11, 2010

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is equipped with trained law enforcement officers (ECOs) who respond to all types of cases dealing with the environment. During the big game season, however, the bulk of their activity deals with hunting.

They are summoned to investigate reports of hunting law violations, many of which come from alert citizens. In a Walton Reporter interview before the 2009 season, ECO Nathan Doig of Walton commented, “The public tends to be our best eyes.

“People can call us if they see something that shouldn’t be happening, and one of us will respond. We appreciate all the information people can give us,” he stated.

“Us,” as far as Delaware County is concerned, consists of four officers. Doig and John Lifreri normally patrol the western half of the county and Vern Bauer and George Wilber mainly serve the eastern half, although all four can be called to anywhere in the county.

Doig may be reached at 607-267-5452, Wilber at 267-5479, Lifreri at 267-5151, or Bauer at 845-346-6607. The senior ECO for the county is Lieutenant Kevin Better, who also serves Greene County and may be reached by calling the Region 4 office in Schenectady at 518-357-2047. DEC also has a toll-free, 24-hour ECO dispatch, at 877-457-5680, which is in use throughout the state.

Northern Sullivan County is served by ECO Scott Steingart, who may be reached at 607-316-3248 or 845-439-8043. The senior officer there is Lieutenant Deming Lindsley, who also serves Ulster County and may be called at the Region 3 office in New Paltz at 845-256-3013.