Gov. Whitman and her anti-DEP agenda. If she is reelected, as a lame duck governor, she will be free to complete her dismantling of the DEP and it's programs. The governor cutting our budget by one third in three years. The governor's people rewriting regulations for enforcement that will make 'enforcement' an oxymoron. The forces within the governors office trying to deregulate while pretending to regulate.
New Jersey is the most industrialized, urbanized, densely populated state.
The fact that many of the higher ups in the management are politically appointed. Since they are put in by the current governor they are loyal to the governor and make decisions that the governor will approve with no consideration of the environment. Many decisions are based on Whitman's politics rather than sound, scientific data. Budget cuts have further hindered DEP in protecting the environment, perhaps by political design. The changes that have occurred within the past three years, with regard to environmental laws and regulations will have a devastating effect on human health and the environment within the next 10-20 years.