Anchorage -- Senator Loren Leman (R-Anchorage) outlined his view of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) budget during a speech Thursday before members of the Resource Development Council.

"The Department of Environmental Conservation still has 477 employees and a total budget of $47 million," stated Leman, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance subcommittee responsible for crafting the DEC budget. "Although we allocated fewer dollars to DEC from the state's general fund, the total agency budget is actually larger than it was last year, due to increased funding from the federal government."

Leman noted that DEC officials started off the year by requesting a significant increase in state funding. "At the same time the Legislature was struggling to deal with record low oil prices and a budget deficit projected to exceed $1 billion, DEC came to the Legislature and asked for 15 new employees and a $2.4 million increase," said Leman. "I believe this was an irresponsible request. We said 'no' to the 15 new positions, and developed alternatives to reduce costs."

Leman explained efforts of privatization begun last session that he plans to continue next session: "I suggested a new approach of contracting out to private businesses some of the management elements of the Village Safe Water Program. DEC has received about 25 serious responses from engineers, and the contract should be in place this month."

Many of the disagreements between the Legislature and DEC are the result of different priorities. According to Leman: "We believe water quality permit writers are more important to the health and environment of Alaska than two public information officers who put out press releases, newsletters and update websites. In many areas that are critical to environmental quality, we have actually increased funding. For example, funding to study water quality and protect salmon habitat were increased."

Leman told the group that he and Commissioner Brown have met recently to discuss the DEC budget for the next year. He also announced, "this coming session I will hold hearings to evaluate whether the state should take control of water quality programs that are currently administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. I intend to look at the costs and benefits of this action."