PASSPORT INFORMATION – Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect on June 1, 2009.  U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, a passport card or other document approved by the U.S. Government when entering the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda.  The following information briefly provides the requirements for special audiences.  Details can be found on the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's website: www.GetYouHome.gov.

 a.)         Children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

b.)         Groups of children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card. 

i)                  The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:

a)                     The name of the group and supervising adult,

b)                     A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child,

c)                      A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.

c.)          Closed Loop Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present government-issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization).  You may still be required to present a passport card or a passport book to enter the foreign country to which you are traveling.  Please contact your cruise line to verify which documents are required for your trip.

DEC News

Lifetime license holders: if you purchased your lifetime license before July 2006, you will shortly receive the much promised card in the mail; if you haven't already.

The licenses are now being printed on a different material than the old green Valeron. It is IMPORTANT that you do not heat laminate the new material. Heat lamination turns the entire panel black and you would have to purchase a replacement license.

The DEC will be offering a Youth Fall Pheasant hunt. Watch for details! The 2009-2010 Habitat Pin features red foxes. The previous pins have depicted a deer, a bluebird, a beaver, and a turkey. If you purchase the $5 Habitat Stamp, the DEC mails the pin directly to you.

DEC New Website