Paterson criticized for firing DEC commissioner

Conservation groups and state legislators from both sides of the aisle condemned Gov. David A. Paterson on Friday for firing Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis after disagreements over ordered staff cuts.

Lawmakers and advocates called the governor's Thursday dismissal of Grannis a "wrongheaded move" and a "dark day for New York's environment."

They praised the former commissioner's environmental record and blasted Paterson, saying budget cuts had stretched the Department of Environmental Conservation so thin the agency could barely fulfill its mission. The agency is responsible for the state's natural resources and wildlife, as well as cleaning up hazardous waste and monitoring pollution from power and sewage plants.

"They don't have enough money in the gas account so that people can go out and do inspections," said Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), chairman of that body's environment committee. "Because of budget cuts, the state and some not-for profit organizations and municipalities are not able to access federal grant money because DEC no longer has people on staff to do the paperwork."

Paterson spokeswoman Jessica Bassett said the governor was "working on behalf of the whole state" to close budget deficits and said critics were "advocating on a single special interest." "Sacrifice has to be shared," she added.

Grannis was fired the same week a DEC memo pushing back against staff cuts mandated by the end of year was leaked to the media. Grannis said Thursday he did not release the memo, which said the agency had borne a disproportionate brunt of budget cuts and that additional reductions could endanger human health and the environment.

Bassett called Grannis' termination a personnel matter. No acting commissioner has been named.

Grannis was allowed back into his office Friday to pack up his things, said Wayne Bayer, a board member of the New York State Public Employees Federation, which represents DEC and other state workers.

Bayer said DEC employees were shocked by the firing. "We all agree that he's been trying to do the best environmentally and protect our workforce," he said. "He understands how much our agency has been decimated."