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Delaware Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current secretary is Collin O'Mara. O'Mara was appointed to the position by Governor Jack Markell in March 2009 and confirmed by the state Senate in April.[1] As the secretary serves at the pleasure of the governor, O'Mara is not subject to periodic reappointment.
Before becoming secretary, O'Mara was clean tech strategist for San Jose, CA, and the primary architect of the city's "Green Vision," a plan to combine economic development with environmental sustainability. He was previously a city management executive in Syracuse, NY, where he oversaw efforts to modernize city services.
Authority
The office of secretary is established by state law.[2]
Delaware Code, 29-80-8002
| (a) The administrator and head of the Department shall be the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control... |
Qualifications
State law requires only that the secretary be "a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office."[2]
Delaware Code, 29-80-8002
| (a) The administrator and head of the Department shall be the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, who shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. |
Appointments
The secretary is appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the state Senate.[2] Secretaries are required by law to become "bona fide" residents of the state within 6 months after appointment, and must remain residents until their service ends. Additionally, they serve at the pleasure of the governor and not for a fixed term.
Term limits
There are no term limits associated with the office of secretary of natural resources.
Vacancies
If a vacancy in the office occurs, the governor appoints a replacement, who must then be confirmed by the Senate. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is out of session, the governor may appoint an acting secretary until the next legislative session. Details of vacancy appointments are set out in Article III, Section 9 of the Delaware Constitution.
Duties
The secretary is administrative head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The department regulates exploitation of the state's natural resources, from setting standards for industrial use of fish and wildlife resources to operating the state's parks and nature preserves. It operates a variety of programs to protect the quality of Delaware's air, water and soil, and develops plans to transition the state to a "clean energy economy."[3]
Divisions
- Office of the Secretary
- Division of Energy & Climate
- Office of Environmental Protection
- Division of Air Quality
- Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances
- Division of Water
- Office of Natural Resources
- Division of Fish & Wildlife
- Division of Parks and Recreation
- Division of Watershed Stewardship[3]
Compensation
In 2010, the secretary received compensation in the amount of $120,755.[4] The secretary's salary is determined by law.
Contact info
Address:
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-9902
See also
External links
References
- ↑ TommyWonk, "A New Environmental Policy for Delaware," August 15, 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Delaware Code, "29-80-8002," accessed August 8, 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control, "Divisions," accessed August 15, 2011.
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 15, 2011.
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