In a crisis, even a budget crisis, there is opportunity - for doing things better, or making them worse. The current legislative session provides the opportunity for state policies that lead to a more sustainable and healthy environment and economy. Under consideration are bills that support energy conservation, prevention of global warming, reducing toxins, improving air and water quality, halting sprawl, and providing green jobs.

The current legislative session provides the opportunity for state policies that lead to a more sustainable and healthy environment and economy. Under consideration are bills that support energy conservation, prevention of global warming, reducing toxins, improving air and water quality, halting sprawl, and providing green jobs. But there is a risk from those who oppose environmental regulations on the grounds that may delay or deter their projects. Using the bad economy as an excuse, legislators have introduced bills to diminish the role of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in granting permits; to avoid public notice, comments or restrictions on the transfer of state-owned lands; to prevent the implementation of stream-flow regulations; and to write new guidelines for development without input from the DEP.

But there is a risk from those who oppose environmental regulations on the grounds that may delay or deter their projects. Using the bad economy as an excuse, legislators have introduced bills to diminish the role of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in granting permits; to avoid public notice, comments or restrictions on the transfer of state-owned lands; to prevent the implementation of stream-flow regulations; and to write new guidelines for development without input from the DEP. Lawmakers at times conceal their attempts to roll back environmental regulations in the corners of implementation bills, requiring constant vigilance to maintain laws that protect the state's natural and cultural resources. Years of hard fought victories for the environment can face repeal because of a slick legislative maneuver. To balance a budget, some would strip funding for programs that are essential for maintaining and improving the environment.

Lawmakers at times conceal their attempts to roll back environmental regulations in the corners of implementation bills, requiring constant vigilance to maintain laws that protect the state's natural and cultural resources. Years of hard fought victories for the environment can face repeal because of a slick legislative maneuver. To balance a budget, some would strip funding for programs that are essential for maintaining and improving the environment.Just recall the water and air pollution Connecticut experienced only a generation ago. There has been remarkable progress in restoring our air and water quality, which would not have occurred without our state's regulatory structure and conservation measures. But we have a long way to go, and many pollutants are not as visible or obvious as those first controlled.

Just recall the water and air pollution Connecticut experienced only a generation ago. There has been remarkable progress in restoring our air and water quality, which would not have occurred without our state's regulatory structure and conservation measures. But we have a long way to go, and many pollutants are not as visible or obvious as those first controlled.Moreover, it is clear that the despoliation of the environment is not good for the economy, especially one that depends so greatly on tourism and white-collar industry. It is "penny wise but pound-foolish" to roll back environmental protection, mitigation and enhancement, for short-term profit. Allowing practices that are unsustainable, and lead to a gradual deterioration of the environment, result in death by a thousand cuts, damaging not only nature, but also the economy. Cleaning up is always far more expensive than prevention, and our future economy is at risk along with our environment.

Moreover, it is clear that the despoliation of the environment is not good for the economy, especially one that depends so greatly on tourism and white-collar industry. It is "penny wise but pound-foolish" to roll back environmental protection, mitigation and enhancement, for short-term profit. Allowing practices that are unsustainable, and lead to a gradual deterioration of the environment, result in death by a thousand cuts, damaging not only nature, but also the economy. Cleaning up is always far more expensive than prevention, and our future economy is at risk along with our environment.That is not to say that the regulatory process is what it should be. Permits should not be redundant nor take months to obtain. Streamlining is necessary. Agencies can and should work together more seamlessly. The environmental community agrees that there is a need to simplify the permitting process and cut paperwork. Taking oversight away from the DEP, however, would be comparable to the mistake of removing federal and state regulatory oversight on mortgage derivatives, devastating the national economy.

That is not to say that the regulatory process is what it should be. Permits should not be redundant nor take months to obtain. Streamlining is necessary. Agencies can and should work together more seamlessly. The environmental community agrees that there is a need to simplify the permitting process and cut paperwork. Taking oversight away from the DEP, however, would be comparable to the mistake of removing federal and state regulatory oversight on mortgage derivatives, devastating the national economy.On the other hand, even streamlining will not adequately improve the effectiveness of an agency that has been chronically underfunded and understaffed. Cuts to our DEP staffing by attrition over the past decade have been significant. The DEP's ability to provide timely inspections and reviews, and to provide for proper planning and monitoring, is significantly impaired. Connecticut's investment in its DEP, as a percentage of its budget, is among the lowest in the nation, and is a fraction of what it was in the past.

On the other hand, even streamlining will not adequately improve the effectiveness of an agency that has been chronically underfunded and understaffed. Cuts to our DEP staffing by attrition over the past decade have been significant. The DEP's ability to provide timely inspections and reviews, and to provide for proper planning and monitoring, is significantly impaired. Connecticut's investment in its DEP, as a percentage of its budget, is among the lowest in the nation, and is a fraction of what it was in the past.The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, our state's watchdog on environmental policy and legislation, sees hope in a new generation of legislators who understand the connection better between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. But there is deep concern that in a time of economic crisis some may make bad decisions and elect unwise legislators.

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, our state's watchdog on environmental policy and legislation, sees hope in a new generation of legislators who understand the connection better between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. But there is deep concern that in a time of economic crisis some may make bad decisions and elect unwise legislators.The price of democracy, as they say, is eternal vigilance. So too is the price of maintaining a healthy environment.

The price of democracy, as they say, is eternal vigilance. So too is the price of maintaining a healthy environment.

David Bingham is co-chairman of the Connecticut League of

Conservation Voters and Lori Brown is its executive director. Reach them at www.ctlcv.org.