THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 15, 1996 TAG: 9608150009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 53 lines
``Allen appearing as friend of nature.''
``Gilmore seeks a more centrist position on the environment.''
Recent headlines aren't subtle. Neither are the tactics the articles reveal.
The Virginia Democratic Party has found an issue, and Republicans are rushing with the speed of a raft in whitewater to head it off at the pass. Voters should be wary.
After 2 1/2 years in which the Allen administration has cut the payroll and budget of the Department of Environmental Quality, opposed anti-pollution standards that went beyond federal minimums, and eased some industrial standards, the public is reacting.
Predictably, the administration gets low marks in polls on caring about the environment. In a survey last year, the nonpartisan Virginia Environmental Endowment found that 69 percent of respondents liked George Allen generally, but 55 percent thought he was ``going too far'' to reduce environmental protections.
A Virginia Commonwealth University poll also taken last year found Republicans doing better than Democrats on handling crime and economic issues, about even on education and far worse on the environment.
Democrats, who view Secretary of Natural Resources Becky Norton Dunlop as the Allenite-easiest-to-hate, plan to make much of the emerging issue.
``Of all the strengths and weaknesses of the administration, I think the one that is going to be the most lamented for a long time is their environmental record,'' says Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, who expects to oppose Gilmore in next year's gubernatorial race.
Beyer is not exactly a neutral observer. But recent actions by both Allen and Gilmore suggest they are concerned that Beyer is successfully exploiting a widespread public perception. They are moving to counter it.
In late July, the governor took to the James River in a raft to promote an anti-litter, cleanup campaign. The video cameras rolled.
Allen has also appointed a conservation commission, with Gilmore as its chair. One perceived aim is to deflect the anticipated fallout from a report by a legislative subcommittee that is looking at the Allen regime's handling of the environment.
Meanwhile, Gilmore has switched from his usual stance of charging the Environmental Protection Agency with going too far. In a recent court case involving the disposal of District of Columbia sewage, Gilmore says the EPA hasn't gone far enough to protect the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
Such steps are welcome, but appear opportunistic. Considering the record of the administration, it's not unreasonable for the public to wonder if the concern for the environment Allen and Gilmore are now showing is real or synthetic, something manufactured to win an election. by CNB