Huge budget cuts in Massachusetts will mean weakened environmental protection efforts and fewer staff at state parks 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.