Asked for feedback, hundreds of state Department of Environmental Protection staffers responded with a torrent of suggestions on how to improve the controversial agency and environmental protection.
Boaters on heavily used Barnegat Bay near Ship Bottom (file photo by Kirk Moore)
The DEP yesterday unveiled more than 700 problems and suggested solutions cited by employees, according to a statement and the suggestions list.
“All comments will be considered, but not all comments may be implemented,” according to the list.
The information follows last week's release of the DEP's “Transformation Plan,” which drew negative reactions from some environmental activists.
“These suggestions provide a solid platform as we embark on the critical mission of making the DEP more flexible and responsive to the needs of New Jersey while protecting the environment, natural resources and beauty of this state,” Commissioner Bob Martin said in the statement. “These ideas will be critical in working toward increased efficiencies that will ultimately make environmental protection a catalyst for economic growth.”
Here are examples of problems and suggested solutions:
Problem:
“Management is not ‘open and transparent.’ Staff is not involved and made aware of decisions to eliminate functions BEFORE the function is eliminated and before the regulated community is told the function has been or will be eliminated.”
Solution:
“Request input from staff on what can be eliminated. Once final decisions are made staff should be informed first of changes before the regulated community receives them.”
Problem:
“Very frustrating after 5.5 years at Cedar Knolls to watch cleaning people at the end of day dump garbage can contents and paper recycling can contents into the same garbage bag. Frustrating to work for an environmental protection agency that can't even recycle.”
No solution suggested.
Problem:
“In Green Acres, the inflexibility of procedures for funding and applications when interacting with Treasury and the State Agricultural Development Committee results in lost acquisitions. Not every land transaction that is undertaken easily fits into a single approach, and we currently face the potential loss of an acquisition of 1700 acres spanning three counties.”
Solution:
“Develop consistent goals and outlook between these divisions.”
Problem: “Consultants submit poor work products and staff is expected to help them. Staff is reluctant to help because the consultants make so much more than them and staff does not feel as though they need to do consultant's job.”
Solution:
“Develop a method to hold consultants accountable for the quality of their submittals.”
Problem:
“DEP is prohibited from using facebook, twitter or other social networking.”
Solution:
“Many states and fed gov use these tools. It's a way of sharing information quickly and interacting with the public. Parks would be able to post pictures and comments from events to generate interest. State of AL uses live chat on its website.”
Problem:
“Dredging issues at Leonardo State Marina: Approx 100' to 150' past the State Marina channel in the Fed channel there is a shoal up of sand that needs to be removed. At low tide boaters can not get in or out of the Marina and its impossible to get a head boat in here at all, so we lost that income this year.”
Solution:
“In June Joe Winniki and I met with the Army Corp (Joseph Olha and Bill Vanetrpool) in reference to this issue. If they can dredge and put it on my property we can dispose of it in our dump site.”
Problem:
“Someone wanted to make a $4500 donation to the park. We needed approval up through Gov's office to accept. The process took more than 1 year, and by that time the donation was no longer available.”
Solution:
“Need to simplify the process for those wanting to make donation. Perhaps establish thresholds needing different approvals.”
Problem:
“Grass is not native to the western hemisphere and the DEP probably spends tens of thousands of dollars yearly cutting it, whacking, edging; blowing; fertilizing and treating it. If fertilizers are used they are contributing to the destruction of Barnegat Bay and other waters.’’
Solution:
“Let all grassy areas revert to weeds and grub-cut them as needed for fire concerns. The fortune spent on grass could be better used to protect the environment.’’
Problem:
“Potential Effects of Hydro Fracking in Pennsylvania and New York on Delaware River water quality and NJ air quality.”
Solution:
“Given the frenetic rate at which this resource is being pursued, study of the potential impacts should be of highest priority.”
Problem:
“In August of 2005, a fly ash spill occurred on the Delaware River. Emergency response could not conduct the monitoring because they didn't have equipment or training to do so.”
Solution:
“There needs to be a defined entity within the Department to conduct emergency and investigative water monitoring after any spill in one of our waterways.”
Problem:
“Need to identify relationship between stormwater facilities and water quality using GIS, e.g. Barnegat Bay.’’
Solution:
“Develop GIS process for identifying unpermitted and permitted facilities and plot information to relate discharges directly to water quality.’’