State lays off director of environmental enforcement

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has laid off the state's director of environmental enforcement and eliminated his job.

The enforcement director oversaw a staff of investigators and lawyers preparing cases against those believed to have violated Vermont's environmental laws or permits. The system governs everything from water systems to wetlands mitigation.

The layoff was the first of eight expected at the Natural Resources Agency this month.

In addition, an environmental investigator who retired last month will not be replaced.

Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood says the decisions are not easy.

Wood says he doesn't believe the losses will compromise the agency's ability to protect Vermont's natural resources.