Riverhead Forest Ranger Honored for Cracking Down on Illegal ATVs in Pine Barrens

RIVERHEAD - A Riverhead forest ranger received kudos recently for his tireless work to protect the environment — and for cracking down on illegal ATVs.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, forest ranger David Nally was named “2015 Environmental Enforcement Officer of the Year” by the Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council.

Every year, the PBLEC, which consists of more than 26 law enforcement agencies in Suffolk County, chooses individuals who they feel deserve to be recognized for their work within the Central Pine Barrens, a release stated.

Forest Ranger Nally was chosen in part for his participation in over 12 joint Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council coordinated all-terrain vehicle enforcement patrols.

“Stopping illegal ATV riding on state properties continues to be a major focus for DEC and the Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council,” DEC Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “These enforcement actions by Ranger Nally and all the other members of the PBLEC show how DEC Forest Rangers and all other members of the PBLEC are constantly on the watch for these activities. Pine Barrens law enforcement personnel will continue to ensure speeding vehicles and ATVs do not destroy state properties or take away enjoyment of these properties from hikers, runners, bird watchers, dog walkers and other recreationalists.”

John Pavacic, Executive Director of the Central Pine Barrens Commission added, “I commend Ranger Nally for his accomplishments, dedication and commitment to the protection of the Central Pine Barrens. The efforts of law enforcement officers like Ranger Nally have helped ensure that this important region will continue to exist for future generations and we are truly grateful for the service he and his fellow law enforcement officers continue to provide each and every day.”

The Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council, under the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, was established in March, 1994 to develop and implement a comprehensive law enforcement plan to patrol and protect the 105,000 acres of Pine Barrens in central Suffolk County.

The council has grown to include over 26 law enforcement and emergency response agencies, including federal, state, county, town, and village agencies, all of which have some degree of law enforcement authority and/or public safety function.

Every day and regardless of weather, forest rangers patrol five million acres of department-administered public lands and easements by vehicle, boat, ATV, snowmobile, aircraft, bicycle, foot, skis or snowshoes.

Ranger Nally has served with distinction in DEC’s Division of Forest Protection since graduating from DEC’s 19th law enforcement training academy in 2013 where he was assigned to patrol the eastern towns of Suffolk County.

Ranger Nally’s patrol responsibilities include protection of natural resources from wildfire and enforcement against illegal ATV activities and off road vehicle use, illegal dumping activities and enforcement of hunting regulations.

During his tenure as a Forest Ranger, Ranger Nally has also been deployed on a western wildland firefighting incident in Washington State, assisted with the management of the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy and devoted over two months of time to southern pine beetle eradication efforts at the DEC-managed Henrys Hollow in Hampton Bays.

Ranger Nally, along with other regionally based forest rangers and DEC officers, also provided logistical and transportation support to other emergency response agencies during this winter’s Storm Jonas and last winter’s Storm Juno.

Ranger Nally spends his spare time with his family in Riverhead.