Watchdog: Low staffing, funding jeopardize DEC

By SHERRY HALBROOK
Understaffing is undercutting the ability of the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to protect New Yorkers and their environment, and fulfill the agency’s duties under state and federal law.
That’s the conclusion of a report issued in November 2009 by Environmental Advocates of New York, an independent, not-for-profit, environmental watchdog.

According to research conducted by Environmental Advocates, “DEC no longer has sufficient resources to successfully implement the state's environmental laws, and its operations are increasingly supported by taxpayer dollars, rather than polluter fees,” the group stated in a November 5 press release.

“New York State is neglecting its environmental responsibilities. Years of static appropriations and short staffing mean DEC no longer has the bodies or the resources to safely monitor water pollution or clean up hazardous waste,” said Alison Jenkins, fiscal policy director of Environmental Advocates of New York. "The DEC has already acknowledged that its solid and hazardous waste programs have underperformed due to staff shortages. What crisis needs to happen before New York’s leaders get the message?”

“We share these concerns,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “Unfortunately, staffing and funding were not bolstered sufficiently at DEC when our economy was strong. Now, the state has its fiscal back to the wall and our members at DEC, who are on the front lines every day in the struggle to protect New Yorkers and their air, water and other vital resources, are becoming spread too thinly. This could be a disaster waiting to happen.”

According to the report issued by Environmental Advocates: “When adjusted for inflation, DEC’s operations budget grew by just over 1 percent during a five-year period; federal funding for environmental programs declined by 25 percent over the same period. And despite decreasing support, the federal government establishes about 40 new rules for states to adopt and implement every year.

When broken down by program area, the DEC’s Air and Water Quality Management, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, and Administration and Operations programs all have seen declines in appropriations of up to 23.7 percent.

“Environmental Advocates of New York is calling on state leaders to increase polluter fees in next year's budget,” Jenkins said. “The work of our primary environmental agency can and should be more sustainable. By relying so heavily on taxpayer dollars, New York is missing out on golden opportunities to create incentives to reduce pollution and help the state achieve its environmental goals.