The average pH of rainfall in New York State ranges from 4.0 to 4.5, which is up to 30 times more acidic than "normal"

The Bush administration's decision to cut funding to fight acid rain has spurred Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) to call on the Senate Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to continue their support of programs vital to the study and monitoring of acid rain.

According to a press release from Clinton's office, the lawmakers have drafted a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee stressing the need to provide funding for the three major programs involved in maintaining accountability of the Acid Rain Program, controlling transported air pollutants, and evaluating the status of areas particularly sensitive to further damage from acid rain.

The administration's decision to slash funding would also completely eliminate all funding for programs in both the Adirondacks and Catskill Parks.

"With the livelihood of the Catskills and Adirondacks increasingly jeopardized by this pervasive problem, now is not the time to shortchange such critical programs,” Schumer added.