[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TheGreen_07042014_OmaraExitInterview.mp3|titles= Delaware Public Media's Tom Byrne interviews former DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara.]
The end of the legislative session earlier this week also marked the end of Collin O’Mara’s time as the head of DNREC.
O’Mara starts his new position as President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation next week after 5 years in the Markell Administration.
In an interview with Delaware Public Media’s “The Green” this week, O’Mara pointed to a number of key accomplishments during his tenure, including implementation of universal recycling in the state.
That was his first major project and O’Mara says it helped him understand how to move initiatives forward in the First State.
“In Delaware, if you can make the economic case that can often transcend partisan politics,” said O’Mara. “The fact that [universal recycling] passed almost unanimously in both Houses – and its worked –rates are down reversions are up, we’ve really made good progress – I think is a good testament to the way we’ve approached things. We start with sound economics and sound science, then get to the politics rather than start with the politics ”
O’Mara also cited work on reducing emissions is the state, building coastal resiliency and further developing the state’s network of trails, particularly in Sussex County, as accomplishments.
O’Mara acknowledged some of the sharpest criticism he received came from progressives arguing the state puts jobs ahead of the environment when dealing with permits – such as those involving the Delaware City refinery and the proposed Allen Harim (ha-RIM) poultry processing plant in Millsboro.
But he says that’s simply not the case.
“We need to make sure decisions are based on science and rooted in the law – and making sure that there’s a predictability so when company’s want to invest they can have confidence that the decision will be made on the merits not based on the political lens,” said O’Mara. “It’s never easy. Any permitting decision has advocates and opponents. But more often than not we’ve made decision based on the law, based on the science and got it right.”
O’Mara adds he was disappointed that the Governor’s Clean Water Initiative failed to gain support this year, but believes in a better budget year it will gain approval.
David Small, O’Mara’s deputy secretary, was sworn in to replace him Wednesday.