APP Editorial: Aiding Economy Not DEP's Job

by: Winston Smith

Sat Apr 17, 2010 at 08:01:53 AM EDT

When will Dems press these issues?

Now and then, some public official will say things that make the attentive listener go, "Whoa! That doesn't sound quite right. Does this guy understand his job?"

The most recent example to come out of the Christie administration is found in the musings of Bob Martin, the new commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection

"I am very excited about taking on this position - and, if confirmed, I will work to advance DEP's core mission of protecting and preserving the environment of New Jersey," Martin said at his confirmation hearing last month. "At the same time I will help the DEP fulfill its role in growing the economy of this state."

Whoa. Since when is the role of the DEP to "grow the economy?" We thought the sole mission of the DEP was to protect the environment.
[...]
The DEP's job is to protect and preserve the environment, not to insert itself into questions of the economic issues involved. That's for other state policymakers to address. It is much too early to form any judgments on how Martin will do on the job. But some of his statements thus far should give those who care about New Jersey's environment real pause.