The Sequester And Environmental Programs: Pain By a 1000 Cuts?

March 1, 2013

Because President Obama and Congress did not come to an agreement on reducing the federal deficit, automatic budgets cuts—known in Washington as the sequester—go into effect this week. Congressional Republicans contend the President is exaggerating the consequences of the budget reductions. The White House predicts environmental programs and public health agencies, among others, will feel the pinch at the federal and state level. 

The White House released details of budget reductions for every state. There will be a total of $85 billion in cuts in a $3.5 trillion budget.

PENNSYLVANIA PROGRAMS FACE BIG CUTS

The Obama Administration said Pennsylvania would lose more than $7 million in funds for environmental programs.

Pennsylvania could lose about $5,705,000 in environmental funding to maintain water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. The state could lose another $1,448,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection.

John Arway, director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, said the money cut from his agency's budget is actually state funding held by the federal government.

"It’s an excise tax either on hunting or fishing equipment or boating equipment and we believe it’s unfair for the federal government to withhold that money from the states when indeed it is state money," Arway said.

The excise tax money would have been used to raise fish in hatcheries, for habitat improvement or conducting fisheries surveys. Arway predicts the money will eventually come back to the states but he doesn't know when. He said the delay makes budget planning difficult. 

Chris Novak, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said a 7 percent reduction in federal funds could translate to about a million-dollar decrease in federal grants awarded to the department that get passed through as recreation and conservation grants. 

"We do not believe the impact would adversely affect our operations," Novak said in an email.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will also lose federal money. Kevin Sunday, department spokesman, said right now the department does not have enough information to predict the implications of the sequester. 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS COULD FEEL THE PINCH

The National Park Service's budget would be reduced by $110 million. Many of the 398 national parks across the country could be partially or fully closed, with fewer operating hours, closed facilities, reduced maintenance, and cuts to visitor services.

According to Natural Resources Defense Council, park closures would hurt the many small businesses and regional economies that depend on nearby national parks to attract visitors to their region. The 398 parks, monuments, and historic sites draw 280 million visits a year.

Oil and gas production on federal lands and waters could slow down, due to cuts in programs at the Department of the Interior and other agencies that plan for new projects, hold environmental reviews, issue permits, and inspect operations.

Leasing federal lands for future development could also be delayed, with less money available for agencies to prepare and conduct lease sales.

OTHER AGENCIES SPEAK OUT

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has warned sequester cuts could spawn a 15-day furlough at the federal Food Safety and Inspection Service. 

According to a White House fact sheet, the FDA would have to conduct 2,100 fewer inspections at domestic and foreign facilities that make food products, “putting families at risk and costing billions in lost food production.”

The meat industry has objected to that characterization, noting the USDA is legally required to provide FSIS inspectors, but Vilsack said budget cuts have limited his options.

The US Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have already announced that employee layoffs are planned.

According to Reuters, Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator of the EPA, wrote in an email that despite taking early measures to cut agency spending on contracts, grants, and administration in recent months, furloughs are inevitable.

Many of these cuts to environmental programs do not sit well with the public. A recent poll conducted by The Nature Conservancy found that 74% of voters say that even with federal budget problems, funding for conservation should not be reduced.