Environmental Advocates of New York is knocking the latest round of state layoffs at the Department of Environmental Conservation, saying the cuts could mean severe problems if and when hydraulic fracturing is allowed.

“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.”

Last week, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said it was more than likely that without the resources, the agency would have trouble granting permits and providing oversight of the controversial natural gas extraction process.

“We have limited staff right now,” he said. “I have said in the past we are going to only review those permits that we have the staff capacity to handle. Right now, we only have limited staff capacity.”

DEC spokeswoman Emily DeSantis says the layoffs won’t impact any permitting or oversight capabilities.

“Any layoffs required as part of achieving workforce savings will have no impact on the review, monitoring and enforcement of activities associated with hydraulic fracturing,” she said. “None of the affected individuals are part of DEC’s oil and gas program.”

Share|