Governor John Lynch announced he will nominate Tom Burack as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services.
If Burack is confirmed by the Executive Council he would replace Commissioner Mike Nolin, whose term has expired.
Environmental groups around the state are excited by Burack’s nomination—and by Nolin’s potential departure.
New Hampshire Public Radio’s Kerry Grens reports.
Tom Burack, a lawyer from Hopkinton, has been involved with environmental issues in New Hampshire for years.
He served on a state superfund task force, a recycling steering committee, and the board of trustees for the Audubon Society.
Currently, he is chair of the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.
As Commissioner, Burack says he would strive for a strong economy while seeking a healthy environment.
Burack: Those things go hand in hand and we can have both here in New Hampshire. That’s what I would be working on.
And the Forest Society and Sierra Club in New Hampshire are pleased to hear it.
Kathy Corkery at the Sierra Club says Burack has the right mix of conservation and business interests.
Corkery: We’ve had a very positive response from our membership. The words that come to mind include that Tom is very balanced, he has spent time on the business end on the environmental issues.
Doug Bogen of Clean Water Action is pleased that someone new might be a DES, because he says the current Commissioner, Mike Nolin lacks balance.
Bogen: He seemed more beholden to industry interests than the public interest. He was not as much of an environmental advocate as many of us would like.
Nancy Gerard, director of New Hampshire’s Conservation Law Foundation, agrees that Nolin favors business interests.
Gerard: I also found he at times twisted the law. He did it on the Laconia Airport when he decided to expedite a wetlands permit for the Laconia Airport for the sake of securing five million dollars.
Gerard noted that Burack is a well-respected attorney in environmental law at Sheehan, Phinney, Bass, and Green.
Burack has also served as legal council to the state’s Republican Committee.
Commissioner Nolin was unavailable for comment.
His departure hinges on the vote of the five members of the Executive Council.
Burton: I believe he should stay.
That’s district one Councilor Ray Burton.
He says he’ll give Burack fair consideration, but sees no reason to change DES commissioners.
Burack: He is very supportive and open to the outdoor recreation industry in my district, the timber industry. Commissioner Nolin has seen to it that the small business people have got the same shake as the big business people.
The Council and Governor are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, when Burack will be nominated officially.
SOQ
