On October 21 Governor Paterson dismissed Commissioner Pete Grannis of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for allegedly allowing the leak of an internal DEC memo outlining how further layoffs and budget cuts to the agency would impact the agency and severely curtail its effectiveness, leaving New York’s environment at risk. Cutting DEC’s staff and budget endangers all of the programs that New Yorkers have counted on to protect their water, air, health and the natural environment. 

“This action is an egregious blow to the environmental movement,” stated Jeff Rumpf, Executive Director of Clearwater. “It is inappropriate to fire the most effective Commissioner in a generation over politics. By taking out the leadership of the DEC, the state is essentially putting the public at risk. Commissioner Grannis should be reinstated immediately.” 

Alexander “Pete” Grannis served for several decades in the New York State Legislature and was appointed DEC Commissioner in 2007.  Throughout his career, Commissioner Grannis has worked to protect New York’s air and water, and public health.  As a long-time member of the State’s Environmental Conservation Committee, Grannis helped to enact laws addressing acid rain, fluorocarbons and recycling, the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and the original Bottle Bill and brownfields remediation. He also sponsored legislation to require the best available emission control technology be put in place, requiring low-sulfur diesel for heavy-duty trucks and clean bus fleets. He was also involved in legislation for the safe transport, storage and disposal of hazardous waste, and the Right To Know Law that guarantees employees the right to information, training and education regarding toxic substances in the workplace.

“We understand that the State has a severe budget crisis, but this is a disproportionate hit for the environment.  The DEC cuts account for 10% all state layoffs, when it only employs 2.5% of the state’s workforce.  This is very short-sighted and will cost New Yorkers dearly in deteriorating health and environmental quality,” said Manna Jo Greene, Clearwater Environmental Director.

Clearwater is very proud of its collaboration with DEC on a range of environmental initiatives, including several watershed protection initiatives with the Hudson River Estuary Program and a community-based environmental inventory funded by the Office of Environmental Justice. 

With preserving and protecting the Hudson River as the cornerstone of Clearwater’s mission, Clearwater’s relationship with agencies like the DEC is vital in continuing to promote a clean healthy environment.  For more information on our approach, go to www.clearwater.org/latest-news/heads-of-leading-environmental-organizations 

TAKE ACTION:  Please call and email Governor Paterson, and gubernatorial candidates Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino, and tell them that the DEC needs enough funding to adequately protect the people of New York and reinstate Commissioner Pete Grannis.

Governor Paterson: Phone: 518-474-8390; governor@chamber.state.ny.us

Andrew Cuomo: 212- 209-3314; www.andrewcuomo.com/contact

Carl Paladino: 716-783-9400; info@paladinoforthepeople.com