Letter: Environmental enforcement is not anti-business

Posted 7/17/17

To the editor:

Who is responsible for environmental enforcement? Historically the federal government led the charge. Times have changed. 

Who among us believes that federal agencies will …

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Letter: Environmental enforcement is not anti-business

Posted

To the editor:

Who is responsible for environmental enforcement? Historically the federal government led the charge. Times have changed. 

Who among us believes that federal agencies will continue to have a vigilant oversight or deterrent role? The next line of defense is the states. Rhode Island has traditionally relied on the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council to handle environmental enforcement. Yet, these agencies have been plagued by underfunding and consequently understaffing.

Save The Bay’s Spring 2017 edition the Tides Magazine states: “Enforcement of environmental law is critical to our natural resources, public health and safety. However. an effective enforcement program depends on funding and the political will of the enforcement agency itself, from the top down as well as the governor and the R.I. General Assembly … Lack of political will — and the resources needed to enforce the law — puts our environment and health at risk. 

“Some of our leaders cling to an age-old mindset that enforcement is anti-business. But when you think about it, the reverse is true: Timely, consistent and strong enforcement (with timely inspections and penalties) benefits those who comply with the law and penalizes those who violate the law. That is good for the state’s economic health because it promotes a level playing field for all businesses. This is no small matter in a state that touts its natural resources and aspires to be more business-friendly. 

“In December 2015, Save The Bay called on Governor Gina Raimondo and the R.I. General Assembly to reverse a decade of decline in resources for environmental enforcement … The governor responded by adding two DEM enforcement positions to her budget proposal, but these positions were removed without comment by the General Assembly at the end of the 2016 season. Curiously, no additional enforcement positions were included in Governor Raimondo’s FY2018 budget this year.”

Where does that leave the local community? Changing the situation at the state level will take time, and the problems are present now. By default the towns need to step up to the plate and cover the shortfalls. Environmental oversight of local businesses is essential to not only the environment, but also to the health of the business community. Measures need to be put into place that will monitor businesses regarding environmental issues. Time is of the essence.

Portsmouth is currently facing such an issue. O’Reilly Auto Parts, a recent major polluter, is planning to come to East Main and Sprague Street. Currently they are seeking a variance to increase the size of their proposed building. With or without such a change, their presence would present major environmental concerns. How can Portsmouth address these concerns and protect the business climate?

Peggy L. Mercer

3219 East Main Road

Portsmouth

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