Over the last several weeks major changes have been announced at New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. First, Commissioner Lisa Jackson will be leaving DEP to become Governor Corzine’s chief of staff on Dec. 1st. Commissioner Jackson’s replacement has not been announced as of yet. Several names have been floating as possible replacements. How is this transfer going to affect DEP?
The second change is that DEP has announced they are going to disband the Division of Science, Research and Technology. In its stead will be an Office of Science and an advisory board. I believe that it is vitally important that there be a robust science component within DEP that is actively engaged in scientific research and review of others research. Without this component than DEP is at the mercy of outside organizations for their information. Information that forms the basis of regulations, permits, etc. This has the potential of allowing bad science to become generally accepted and used for the basis of protecting our environment. Industry funded research should not be the basis DEP uses to write regulations, technical guidance or issue permits.