1997 PEER Survey of the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection Sample Responses to the Question:
"In your opinion, what is the biggest problem facing
New Jersey DEP?"
1. Governor Whitman's Anti-Environment/Pro-Industry
Policies
"Governor Whitman is big money and big business. She
has destroyed this Department!!!"
"Gov. Whitman and her anti-DEP agenda. If she is
reelected, as a lame duck governor, she will be free to complete her
dismantling of the DEP and it's programs."
- DEP administrator
"An Administration that is hostile to public
employees in general, and appropriate regulation of business and industry in
particular."
"The governor cutting our budget by one third in
three years. The governor's people rewriting regulations for enforcement that
will make 'enforcement' an oxymoron.
"The forces within the governors office trying to
deregulate while pretending to regulate. New Jersey is the most
industrialized, urbanized, densely populated state. The natural resources need
to be preserved."
"An anti-environment governor."
"Governor Whitman, and her systemic weakening of
virtually all DEP programs and policies. According to her, NJ is definitely
'open for business.' Housing, agriculture and chemical industries now dictate
environmental policy and enforcement at NJ DEP!"
"Christine Todd Whitman and the now less regulated
big businesses putting payola in her back pocket, therefore serving the needs
of her friends, family, and business endeavors."
"...a Governor who cares more for business than the
environment. She's out of touch."
"The fact that many of the higher ups in the
management are politically appointed. Since they are put in by the current
governor they are loyal to the governor and make decisions that the governor
will approve with no consideration of the environment."
"Republican-lead government whose biggest concerns
are business, money, greed, and tax breaks for the rich and who are least
concerned about the environment."
"Political influence and budget cuts. Many decisions
are based on Whitman's politics rather than sound, scientific data. Budget
cuts have further hindered DEP in protecting the environment, perhaps by
political design."
- DEP administrator
- "Bureaucratic inertia, political influence of
corporate interests and an administration that is anti-environment and
anti-public worker."
"Under Whitman's regime DEP has adopts a kinder
gentler approach to the industry regarding environmental enforcement, as a
result DEP is at a all time low."
2. Failure to Enforce Environmental Laws at Expense of
Public Health and Environment
"The changes that have occurred within the past
three years, with regard to environmental laws and regulations will have a
devastating effect on human health and the environment within the next 10-20
years. For example, asphalt caps (non-permanent remedies) are being placed on
almost every hazardous waste site, without any regard to the long-term
consequences. The regulated community and our elected officials have changed
these laws so that it is the least costly alternative that always becomes the
selected remedy."
"Regulations are being written by industry! There is
little enforcement of permit violations. NJPDES permits have 'no teeth'
anymore - polluters get what they want. So, of course, compliance is up, as
management is so fond of saying."
"Gov. Whitman caters to industry. Environmental
rules are changed to protect industry. Currently DEP is attempting to adopt a
'free period' regulation, whereby industry has a specific time period to
correct infractions of the current regs. Some instances, they have 30 days to
correct a problem before it becomes a violation. So for 29 days, they can
discharge, etc. without being penalized."
- DEP administrator "Department is corrupt and too
political to do what it was set up to do. Not enough room to go into details -
Department just exists but accomplishes nothing!"
"The present administration and their 'do nothing
policies. Also, the health and welfare of everyone living in New Jersey."
- DEP administrator
"We often bend over backwards to find creative ways
to avoid penalizing people. While I believe our new 'compliance assistance'
approach is wonderful, I also think we have backed off too much with our
enforcement activities due to the governor and her pro-business
philosophy."
"Lack of enforcement action. There are a lot of
activities being conducted at sites we are not observing. We are discouraged
to go out in the field to visit sites. Stay in office and do paperwork. It's
the chicken/henhouse - fox concept."
"NJ DEP has not seriously enforced environmental
laws in over 5 years. This message is widespread in the state, so it is
difficult to be serious about enforcing laws and requiring remediation. We
need to 'stick to our guns.'"
"We have been reorganized to be more efficient at
issuing permits rather than protecting the environment. There is no, to
little, enforcement of current laws."
"Trees are cut unlawfully, water is polluted, and
wildlife left unprotected."
- DEP supervisor
"It is clearly not wise to challenge industry under
the Whitman Administration and Republican legislatures. Hazardous waste laws
being passed have no teeth for enforcement."
"Campaign contributors within the regulated
community have too strong of an influence on the Governor's office. Example:
Fluid Packing, Inc. in Lakewood, NJ plead guilty to criminal charges of
dumping toxic chemicals in wetlands, the Governor's office is putting pressure
on DEP to lower the administrative penalties (no signed memos, of
course)."
"No enforcement. Some cleanup & remediation
decisions are made based on political pressure. The Department caters to
industry. Rules are 'modified' for certain politically motivated projects
under the excuse that we must use 'common sense.'"
"Gov. Whitman. Her proclamation of a kinder and
friendlier DEP has resulted in lack of enforcement of environmental rules and
regulations. She has also cut back the work week (40 hours to 35 hours) and
also layoffs occurred. The regulated community has taken advantage of this and
cleanup work in this state has slowed down immensely." - DEP
administrator
"Thirty percent staff cut by Whitman. Governor and
commissioner have policy of 'co-operation' with the regulated community,
instead of enforcement of environmental laws and regulations by fines and
penalties. Regulated community has too much influence in DEP policies and
drafting regulations. Voluntary hazardous site cleanup is unworkable -- no
enforcement mechanism. No real penalties for delaying cleanups even under
administrative consent orders."
"Whitman's failure to implement policies/regulations
based on 'science' due to political ramifications."
"Special interests and willingness to
compromise."
"Lack of oversight, inspections, and
investigations."
"Loss or shifting of mission from one that protects
the average citizen to one that embraces the lobbying of industrial and
corporate concerns. Our clients have shifted away from the child with asthma
to being advocates for the Business & Industry Association and like
groups."
"Near non-existent law enforcement, and diminishing
staff levels (while management levels increase). 'Far too many chiefs, and
nearly no Indians.'"
"(1) Lack of enforcement regarding serious
environmental problems. (2) Lack of auditing of any kind with regard to
voluntary cleanup/remediation and no penalty for submitting false information
to the Department."
"Lack of enforcement for polluters who knowingly
pollute or for polluters who fail to comply within a reasonable time-frame.
Lack of investigators to visit sites/lack of time to visit my own sites."
"Lack of enforcement. RP's (repeat polluters) know
they don't have to do anything. Consequently, DEP goes overboard catering to
them, which results in poor quality work or none at all. Then DEP gets blamed
for not cleaning up sites, taking too long, etc."
"The level of enforcement of the laws and
regulations have dropped to such a point that projects constructed illegally
are not required to come into compliance with the law and those under
construction are not stopped. This is due to direction from manage level on up
and relates to influence from builders and political consideration."
"Near non-existent law enforcement, and diminishing
staff levels (while management levels increase). 'Far too many chiefs, and
nearly no Indians.'"
"Enforcement is at an all time low; fines for
offenders, except on really devastating cases, are almost non-existent. The
excellent people we have in land use, the ones who are willing to fight for
the environment, are transferred to handle the areas of the state which are
already built up so as not to be able to cause too much objection to regulated
business. The 'business friendly' atmosphere is killing our resources."
3. Poor Management, Leading to Low Morale
"Top heavy bureaucracy - threat, coercion, misuse of
discipline process to stifle participation, inquiry or consultation. Major
portion of budgets directed into redundant administrative kingdoms, and
portions of budgets hidden for pet projects. Waste, lack of innovation,
stifled field operations, institutional inefficiency."
"The substantial reduction in resources and layoffs
at DEP have resulted in less regulatory oversight and consequently a reduction
in overall environmental protection in the state."
"Possible brain-drain due to dedicated employees'
being disillusioned by being asked to protect and serve the regulated
community rather than the public!!"
"Morale is at an all time low because workers want
to do the right thing, not avoid a project due to controversy."
"The morale is low because the governor has reduced
the department to a level that makes it as ineffective as possible without
sending up visible flags to the public."
"Extremely poor management techniques with
decision-making, as well as allowing inefficient workers to continue to
collect their pay and others must pick up their workload. Also
scientific/technical expertise should prevail over the public's opinion - we
have some very intelligent and skilled personnel. Let them feel free to use
their education and experience."
"Morale is in the basement due to under staffing
(lay off, attrition), high work loads, no promotions, really bad contract
thanks to the CWA, lack of consistency in applying the laws and lack of
enforcing or applying the laws in the first place. It kind of makes you wonder
what the heck your purpose is."
"The morale of employees at DEP is at all time low
because of the reduction in work hours (35 hours from 40 hours), lack of
directions from upper management and involving many people in the
decision-making process."
"All the members of the management team are very
much influenced by politics and regulated communities. Truly are making their
day to day decisions to please politicians and regulated industries. Employee
morale is at rock bottom."
" (1) Lack of technical expertise by those involved
in decision-making. New hires are not qualified for their assignments and
training/career development is discouraged. The resulting incompetence is
tolerated. (2) Apathy and low morale because those who do their jobs well are
treated the same as 'dead wood.' (3) Ethical problems - such as someone
running an environmental consulting firm from a state office and his
co-workers are too scared to blow the whistle."
"Politics and science don't mix. All upper and
middle managers are picked by how effectively they play with the regulated
community."
"Top heavy management structure that is now larger
than it ever has been in DEP's history. Many of these people are political
appointees from this and prior administrations. VERY WELL PAID."
"Top managers salaries ridiculously large in
relation to what they actually do! Also, too many perks."- DEP clerical
"Policy of current governor. Good employees are
being demoralized. These are not the people making the policies."
"The cuts and movement of personnel due to bumping
has many people in positions they are unable or unqualified to perform."
"Inside DEP the bureaucracy is laden with
unfairness, favoritism, and even nepotism."
"Internal dissent and lack of individual effort to
establish personal morale and personal integrity. Individuals make a
difference if they try. Management does not exert paramount influence on most
decisions. Workers must press their points. - DEP supervisor
"Lack of scientific management."
"No MBA's in management/commissioners office. DEP
not run like a business; civil service rules and inefficient financial
managers."
"Upper management does not have a clue on what the
day to day functions of the DEP are. Lack of written direction on what our
true goals and directions are." - DEP administrator
"People at top without a clue! What a joke."
"Lack of meaningful training for managers and a lack of leadership from
up top."
"Management does not support decisions and knowledge
of it's employees. Staff must always defend itself when trying to do things to
improve efficiency/ working environment/ quality of project."
"Top heavy administration, unqualified staff at
management level." - DEP administrator
"Too many managers and too many layers of
management. The major layoffs of staff in the past three years touched very
few managers. Of 3,000 employees, 309 were managers at time of last layoff.
More managers have been added since 7/'96, none cut."
"Lack of proper management. Concern seems to be
inward, self-oriented, rather than toward the environment or, at least, toward
the group. Management is hierarchal, biased, and cares little for the
staff."
"Loss of valuable experienced staff due to feeling
of futility, stress from lack of staff resources, increased workloads in
regulatory programs." - DEP administrator
"Morale of the management is very poor and this
reflects on the morale of the staff." - DEP administrator
"Clear planned leadership is a big problem."
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