Environmental Watchdog Responds to Anticipated DEC Layoffs

ALBANY, NY (07/07/2011)(readMedia)-- In response to today's anticipated announcement that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be forced to lay off 43 staff, including the enforcement personnel responsible for monitoring the health and safety of our air and water and staff who process state and federally required permits for businesses, Environmental Advocates of New York released the following statement:

"New York's environmental agency has lost more than a quarter of its staff since 1990. The Department of Environmental Conservation lost 139 staff just this past December. Without boots on the ground, how will the agency ensure the safety of the water we drink? How will the DEC have the capacity to monitor a gas industry champing at the bit to begin fracking in almost every corner of the state?" said Alison Jenkins, Fiscal Policy Program Director, Environmental Advocates of New York." Cutting staff at the Department of Environmental Conservation will serve only to harm both our environment and the state's economy."