On Tuesday, NYLCV joined more than 40 organizations in urging state lawmakers to restore the Environmental Protection Fund.

More than 85 government offices were visited during Tuesday's lobby day at the state Capitol.Gov. David Paterson’s Executive Budget proposal for 2010-11 would cut the fund by $69 million--nearly a third of the fund, and a wildly disproportionate cut compared with other reductions in the state budget. The EPF reduction also puts the health and safety of both the environment and the public at risk.

The EPF is the state’s dedicated environmental trust fund that provides critical resources to protect water and air quality, update sewage treatment facilities, keep working farms running, preserve historic heritage, revitalize waterfronts, monitor pesticide use, and much more. The Friends of New York’s Environment requested that the Fund’s appropriation be restored to $222 million, the level set in last year’s budget prior to the deficit reduction plan.

During the last seven years, almost $500 million of dedicated environmental funding has been "swept" from the EPF and spent on non-environmental programs. The fund was scheduled to grow to $300 million in 2010 under the EPF Enhancement Act, which was passed in 2007. Almost every member of the New York State Legislature voted in favor of the Act.

Thanks to our tremendous environmental partners who organized the successful lobbying effort this week, including the Nature Conservancy and Environmental Advocates of New York.