THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Most Virginia employees charged with protecting the environment are concerned about possible retaliation from their bosses if they upset a polluter, according to an interim study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the General Assembly's investigative arm.
If the majority of police said they feared retaliation from their bosses for upsetting purse snatchers, the public outcry would be deafening. Similarly, the public should be alarmed that 57 percent of Department of Environmental Quality employees were fearful of the consequences of upsetting a polluter.
DEQ employees have some cause for concern. Gov. George F. Allen, to whom state employees ultimately report, has made clear his top priority is job creation. Forced to choose between economic development and environmental protection, he is inclined to favor the former. He shrank the DEQ more than most state agencies in his first 18 months, as one in five DEQ workers lost or left their jobs.
Allen's administration has emphasized ``customer service'' for regulated companies. That's fine. DEQ employees should help companies comply with environmental regulations. Helping beats harassing.
But no DEQ employee should fear retaliation for doing his or her job.
DEQ Director Peter W. Schmidt said the JLARC study was slanted to present the Allen administration in an unflattering light. Norfolk Sen. Stanley C. Walker, JLARC chairman, responded that the 20-year-old investigative agency has never slanted its studies. JLARC has a reputation for unbiased investigations.
Two things are clear:
The environment matters greatly to Virginians, both because of the state's lucrative tourism industry and because Virginians love nature and desire clean air and water.
A fearful regulatory agency is an ineffective regulatory agency.
The governor, Secretary of Natural Resources Becky Norton Dunlop, and Schmidt all should vigorously assure DEQ employs that no retaliation will be taken against employees who properly perform their duties. Employees' fears may be unjustified, but if they go unallayed, environmental protection will diminish. by CNB