Meeting the Next Generation of Environmental Challenges

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Meeting the Next Generation of Environmental
Challenges
ECOS Strategic Planning Workshop
Tom Burack, NHDES Commissioner
June 10, 2008
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Strategic Questions

• What should a 21st Century environmental services
  agency look like?
• If the environment functions as a complex,
  integrated system, and DES has been charged with
  safeguarding it, shouldnt we be operating in a
  more coordinated, holistic fashion?

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Things Are Different Now!

• Climate Change and Growth Impacts Narrow time
  window and aggregated impacts of individual
  actions.
• Todays problems are more complex and are a
  by-product of our modern lifestyles we need to
  find ways to motivate individual behavior changes
  (e.g., Community-Based Social Marketing
  Positive Deviance).
• We need to find more creative efficient
  approaches, leverage our partnerships, and make
  everyone more accountable.

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Strategic Directions 1-3
Imagine If.

• DES and its partners are proactively addressing
  the issue of climate change in NH.
• DES and its partners are effectively protecting
  NH's natural resources and quality of life as the
  state continues to grow.
• DES employs integrated pre-application,
  permitting, enforcement approaches across all
  of its programs and operates in a cooperative and
  integrated manner with its sister local,
  regional, state, and federal agencies.

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Strategic Directions 4-7
Imagine If.

• NH's environment is improving, with DES remaining
  focused on environmental results and reporting
  them in a transparent manner.
• Environmental compliance is high in NH, supported
  by partnerships, widespread accountability, and a
  broad environmental stewardship ethic.
• DES provides high-quality customer service.
• DES is one of the most desirable employers in
  state government.

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Old vs. New Framework

• New Framework
• Climate Change/Energy
• Growth Impacts
• Integration Internal/External
• Environmental Results-Based
• Compliance, Partnerships Accountability
• Exceptional Customer Service
• DES is a Workplace of Choice
• This is NOT a Crosswalk!

• Old Framework
• (Medium-By-Medium/Program-By-Program)
• Clean Air/Climate Change
• Clean Water
• Safe Drinking Water
• Waste Mgmt. Site Remediation
• Habitat Protection
• Dam Safety/Water Mgmt.
• Management and Leadership
• Pollution Prevention
• Education/Outreach/Partners
• Compliance Assurance
• Information Management

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The Hedgehog Principle
Piercing clarity about how to produce the best
long-term results.
See what is essential, and ignore the rest.
Excerpted from Jim Collins Good to Great and
the Social Sectors A Monograph to Accompany
Good to Great, 2005
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Some Federal/State Issues

• Partnerships
• Prioritization
• Innovation
• Integration
• Funding
• Co-Governance