The Environmental Control Board (ECB) is an administrative tribunal, which means that it is a decision-making body that hears disputes like a court, but with a few important differences. ECB only hears cases in which people or businesses are charged with violating New York City's laws that protect the health, safety, and cleanliness of our environment and neighborhoods. These violations are not criminal offenses. For this reason, ECB issues only monetary penalties and/or orders to correct violations when it finds people in violation.