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Dear Anthony, Governor Paterson’s proposed budget will *cut New York State’s oversight of dangerous oil, chemical and pesticide spills in half* in some cases, despite the fact that about half of inspections last year revealed violations. And according to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), drinking water supplies in hundreds of cities and towns across the state have been rendered useless because of unchecked spills and chemical contamination. But the State Legislature can restore this critical funding and keep New Yorkers safe from hazardous oil and chemical spills. *Click here to tell your representatives in Albany to restore the DEC’s budget. *<http://eany.convio.net/site/R?i=fbjudZi-OiNTvpeCSimhww..> The DEC will soon have less than half the funds on hand for inspection site visits and equipment to support oversight than it did in 2007-2008, down to $63 million from $127 million. The Governor’s latest round of budget cuts will force the agency to reduce responses to oil and chemical spills by more than half, conduct 25 percent fewer inspections of petroleum and chemical storage facilities, and leave fewer resources to test pesticide samples. If the Governor’s cuts aren’t restored by state lawmakers, the DEC will be forced to rely increasingly on polluters to self-report the release of toxic substances. In the past, this practice has led to biased samples and incomplete reports. *Click here to tell your representatives in Albany to protect New Yorkers and our drinking water supplies by restoring the DEC’s budget. *<http://eany.convio.net/site/R?i=rF8vzOlNLZi827-89II5dA..> Thank you. [image: Alison sig] Alison Jenkins Fiscal Policy Program Director Environmental Advocates of New York Click here <http://eany.convio.net/site/R?i=FIphPNRXkTEin96okbPVGQ..> to read our short report on how the Governor’s budget proposal will result in less oversight of toxic chemicals and other pollution. <http://eany.convio.net/site/R?i=Db5dzs6JENQ9z08TpVutyg..> [image: Powered By Convio]<http://eany.convio.net/site/R?i=lozo29Az7ETBqFnQCXXfQg..> [image: Bookmark and Share]<http://eany.convio.net/site/R?i=Q1TG6Tkexom0wksO8-_htw..> Click here to unsubscribe. <http://eany.convio.net/site/CO?i=1MypsbdVOSS5C_pAiYZtuEsW3AMmKyRl&cid=0> -- "Democracy is a device that ensures we will be governed no better than we deserve." G. B. Shaw _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins Questions about the list? ask [email protected] free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
