Huge budget cuts in Massachusetts will mean weakened environmental protection efforts and fewer staff at state parks and campgrounds this year, according to a report this week in the Boston Globe.

 

According to the article, the Department of Conservation and Recreation's budget has been slashed by more than 23 percent - from $102 million to $78.3 million - since the start of fiscal year 2009. Meanwhile, the state Department of Environmental Protection's budget has been cut roughly 16 percent - from $62.3 million to $50.7 million. During that time, the DEP has lost 140 full-time employees, while the DCR has lost 171 full-time employees.

 

These cuts have hurt the state in areas such as water and air protection, recycling, and policing environmental crimes. Almost all community recycling grants have disappeared, technical assistance to help communities deal with hazard waste has been reduced, and there are roughly 15 percent fewer environmental police officers.

 

In the report, Jack Clarke, a policy expert and lobbyist for Mass Audubon, point out that the state's environmental budget makes up less than 1 percent of the state's total budget - and that was prior to cuts.