Billy Packer Questions State Environmental Calls
Former broadcaster critical of how DENR makes its decisions
RALEIGH (By Don Carrington, Carolina Journal Online) — Much like a basketball coach working a referee on the sidelines, all former CBS sportscaster Billy Packer wants from state environmental officials is consistency.
Packer says the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources was wrong to fine him $19,110 in 2008 for alleged soil sedimentation violations at property he owns in Alleghany County. While he was challenging DENR’s actions, Packer subsequently learned that a DENR project not far from his property was causing significant sedimentation violations in a nearby trout stream.
Packer is frustrated with the process. “I want to change their system — the way inspections are done, the way that NOVs (notice of violations) are written, the way that people have to respond to NOVs,” he told 'Carolina Journal'.
The system, established by the General Assembly, gives DENR — an executive branch agency — judicial powers when its decisions are challenged by property owners. When an administrative law judge rules against DENR after it has fined a landowner, the next appeal is not to another court but instead to the agency itself.
DENR has the power to overrule a judge when it loses. That’s what happened to Packer.
“You shouldn’t have the person that can overrule a judge be the boss of the man that leveled the fine,” Packer told 'CJ'.
RALEIGH (By Don Carrington, Carolina Journal Online) — Much like a basketball coach working a referee on the sidelines, all former CBS sportscaster Billy Packer wants from state environmental officials is consistency.
Packer says the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources was wrong to fine him $19,110 in 2008 for alleged soil sedimentation violations at property he owns in Alleghany County. While he was challenging DENR’s actions, Packer subsequently learned that a DENR project not far from his property was causing significant sedimentation violations in a nearby trout stream.
Packer is frustrated with the process. “I want to change their system — the way inspections are done, the way that NOVs (notice of violations) are written, the way that people have to respond to NOVs,” he told 'Carolina Journal'.
The system, established by the General Assembly, gives DENR — an executive branch agency — judicial powers when its decisions are challenged by property owners. When an administrative law judge rules against DENR after it has fined a landowner, the next appeal is not to another court but instead to the agency itself.
DENR has the power to overrule a judge when it loses. That’s what happened to Packer.
“You shouldn’t have the person that can overrule a judge be the boss of the man that leveled the fine,” Packer told 'CJ'.
posted by BP News Bureau | 12:18 PM
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