New Start at D.E.C.

The person recently appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to head the New York Department of Environmental Conservation has significant ties to what we consider the right side of many issues. Basil Seggos was formerly an attorney for the Riverkeeper organization and the Natural Resources Defense Council. But he will take over a state agency that has many, many problems, including a portfolio of responsibilities that is too broad and has been dramatically starved for staff and funding.

One concern is outlined in a recent inspector general’s report that said D.E.C. officers violated the rights of commercial fishermen and were allowed to directly negotiate plea agreements and fines with the people they detained. An agency that could permit such an abuse of authority, and invitation to corruption, would appear to have systemic failings. We have previously advocated breaking up the D.E.C. into at least two parts: a scientific and regulatory division and a separate one for law enforcement. As it stands now, it can do neither well. Top-down reform is a must.