The state budget has passed and now agencies are realizing what is in it. For some, it means major cuts and possible layoffs. One of the agencies targeted is responsible for protecting our environment.
The sewage treatment plant in Slatington treats sewage for 2,000 homes and businesses. When it rains a lot, the system becomes overloaded, spilling raw sewage into the Lehigh River.
Officials announced a 7 million dollar fix to repair underground pipes.
"There are tree roots in, cracks, pipes have collapsed almost 100 percent, so we have to get this repaired and fixed," said Gary Phillips of the Slatington Borough Authority.
"We will have replaced or corrected 100 percent of the system," said engineer Ted Stevenson.
The state department of environmental protection said it has fined Slatington for its problems. Now comes word that the state budget reductions could cause DEP some problems of its own.
Last year DEP's budget was $217 million. This year lawmakers reduced it to $159 million.
"No finial decisions have been made but if you look at the numbers and the amount of reductions, layoffs are a possibility," said Mike Bedrin of DEP.
One of the things DEP is responsible for is inspecting sewage treatment plants to make sure they are complying with environmental law.
"Our inspections, monitoring, our enforcement capabilities will be one of our top priorities," said Bedrin.
State parks are run by the department of conservation and natural resources. It too was targeted by lawmakers. A DCNR spokesman said some parks could close because of budget reductions.
State leaders are sorting it out. We should know the effects on environmental and recreationional programs in a few weeks.
The sewage treatment plant in Slatington treats sewage for 2,000 homes and businesses. When it rains a lot, the system becomes overloaded, spilling raw sewage into the Lehigh River.
Officials announced a 7 million dollar fix to repair underground pipes.
"There are tree roots in, cracks, pipes have collapsed almost 100 percent, so we have to get this repaired and fixed," said Gary Phillips of the Slatington Borough Authority.
"We will have replaced or corrected 100 percent of the system," said engineer Ted Stevenson.
The state department of environmental protection said it has fined Slatington for its problems. Now comes word that the state budget reductions could cause DEP some problems of its own.
Last year DEP's budget was $217 million. This year lawmakers reduced it to $159 million.
"No finial decisions have been made but if you look at the numbers and the amount of reductions, layoffs are a possibility," said Mike Bedrin of DEP.
One of the things DEP is responsible for is inspecting sewage treatment plants to make sure they are complying with environmental law.
"Our inspections, monitoring, our enforcement capabilities will be one of our top priorities," said Bedrin.
State parks are run by the department of conservation and natural resources. It too was targeted by lawmakers. A DCNR spokesman said some parks could close because of budget reductions.
State leaders are sorting it out. We should know the effects on environmental and recreationional programs in a few weeks.
