DEP “Transformation”: More Bureaucratic Boxes, More Patronage Managers – Less Science, Less Protection

[Update – to illustrate how poor the DEP management is, check out the email below to all DEP employees from the Deputy Commissioner – a top down edict notifying them AFTER THE FACT about the “new vision” and “transformation” plans that Martin announced – apparently with no staff input – in a late Friday afternoon press release]

Last week, we broke the story that the Food and Drug Administration has threatened to shut down NJ’s $1 billion shellfish industry because the State lacks adequate monitoring and inspection staff to assure that the food supply is safe. It has gotten lots of play – for mainstream media reports, see this and this and this):

Wolfe: If this is not a core public health and DEP responsibility, I don’t know what is. I mean, we’re approaching third world country conditions if you can’t come to consensus that you’re going to protect the food supply [WHYY radio]

But, at the same time that DEP science, monitoring, and inspection staff are decimated, have you seen all the new boxes and management slots on the DEP Org Chart? – high level and reporting to Commissioner Martin – click here and take a look.

The new bureaucratic boxes and new patronage management slots include these:

Chief Advisor [clarification – former Chief Counsel remains as Deputy, this this is an additional position]

Economic Analysis

Information Resource Management (pre-existing function, but transfered for political control under new Deputy Commissioner)

Office of Dispute Resolution

One Stop Permitting (pre-existing office, but transfered for political control under new Deputy Commissioner)

Emergency Management (ditto)

Deputy Chief of Staff

New Assistant Commissioner for Economic Growth and Green Energy

Green Energy Development (position is vacant, guess that’s some priority!)

Economic Growth Coordination

Not obvious from the org chart –  but very important – is the fact that while creating and elevating political functions like economic development and dispute resolution to the Commissioner’s Office, Martin has bureaucratically buried far more important priorities – a move that almost seems designed to make DEP fail:

1) Martin [eliminated] relegated the Office of Policy and Planning, the only place in DEP designed to coordinate and integrate programs (also called “silos”) across the entire Department, to Land Use permitting [full disclosure: I worked in that Office from 2002 – 2004].

2) Similarly, Martin buried the Office of Climate Change under air permitting. That Office is responsible for developing plans, policies, and regulations to implement NJ’s Global Warming Response Act to meet legislated greenhouse gas reduction goals. It can not accomplish those goals under air permitting management; and

3) Martin failed to honor Candidate Christie’s pledge to restore the Division of Science and Research and enhance its capabilities. The former DSR is a shadow of its former self, dismantled and scientists scattered in various permit programs, the last place a scientist should work, as permit “priorities” always trump science. Martin hasn’t even charged his own controversial new Science Advisory Board. These mis-steps expose the fact that Martin has no plan for DEP science, which is in complete disarray and is literally unraveling, after 25 years of excellence.

One example of this mismanagement and poor resource allocation: due to lack of adequate funds for DEP inspection and monitoring staff, NJ’s $790 million shellfish industry is threatened by a federal shutdown, while consumers lose confidence in the safety of eating NJ shellfish, which has to depress demand and hurt producers.

Here are our thoughts, what are yours?

“The state hiring moratorium is complicating its efforts to counteract attrition in marine patrols and inspections. Nonetheless, DEP is now undergoing a reorganization (termed a “Transformation”) which entails several promotions and new high-paying slots in the Commissioner’s office, including a senior advisor for Economic Growth Coordination.

“We do not need more suits in Trenton. We need more marine patrol officers and inspectors if we want to keep New Jersey shellfish on consumers’ tables,”

[Update – and to illustrate how poor the DEP management is, check out this email to all DEP employees from the Deputy Commissioner – notifying them AFTER THE FACT about the “new vision” and “transformation” plans that Martin announced – apparently with no staff input – in a late Friday afternoon press release (Friday 5 pm is where news stories go to be buried)

—– Original Message —–
From: “Irene Kropp” <Irene.Kropp@dep.state.nj.us>
To:
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 9:32 AM
Subject: Transformation

> This week Commissioner and I presented our new vision document, priorities
> and plans for transformation to DEP managers.  We are now inviting all
> staff within the DEP to participate in the Vision and Transformational
> Change discussion and share your thoughts as you will all play a critical
> role in the success of the transformation process.
>
> I am committed to conducting sufficient sessions for all of you to
> participate. The first round of presentation sessions are listed below.
> We will be holding most sessions in Trenton but will also present in
> Pequest (for any employees working or living in the northern locations),
> Batsto (for those in southern locations) and Allaire State Park (for the
> Monmouth and Ocean locations).
>
> The schedule is as follows:
>
> DEP Public Hearing Room, Trenton
> Tuesday July 20  8:00-10:00 AM or  3:00-5:00 PM
> Friday July 30   8:00-10:00 AM or   10:30-12:30 PM
> Weds August 11  8:00-10:00 AM or  10:30-12:30 PM or 2:00-4:00
> Friday August 13  8:00-10:00 AM or  1:30-3:30 PM
>
> Pequest
> Tuesday August 10   8:30-10:15 AM or 10:30-12:15 PM or 1:30-3:15 PM
> (directions at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peqdirct.htm )
>
> Allaire State Park (Snack Bar area)
> Monday August 16 8:30-10:15 AM or 10:30-12:15 PM or 1:30-3:15 PM
> (directions at
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/allaire.html )
>
> Batsto Auditorium at Wharton State Forest
> Thursday August 19   10:30-12:15 or 1:30-3:15