ISSUE:

The Environmental Protection Fund needs to grow to $500 million per year by 2010.During the past decade, the environmental challenges facing New York have grown more complex. With each passing year, urgency mounts around issues of climate change, clean air, clean water, energy independence, sprawl, and stewardship of public lands.

Upfront funding is vital to address the full range of these environmental challenges and to avoid last-minute political "fixes," which are often costly and inadequate, and pose a threat to New York's economic competitiveness and quality of life. With sufficient dollars, New York can be a national leader in ensuring its citizens a stronger, cleaner, and healthier state for years to come.

NYS ACTIONS:

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which provides dollars for open space conservation and land acquisition, among other services, has increased by $100 million over the last two years to a high of $225 million per year. However, a recent analysis of the gap between current program and investments needed found that approximately $1 billion per year in new funding is needed. To get New York State on track to achieving an adequate funding level, the EPF needs to grow to $500 million per year by 2010. In addition, active consideration needs to be given to a future environmental bond act.

During the last 12 years, the central conservation agencies in state government have experienced a near crushing decline in resources: More than 1,000 staff positions were cut from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Further, in many New York towns, residents are willing to help pay for protection of their local communities. Unfortunately, they require state authorization to raise funds locally for smart growth and open space initiatives, which hampers progress.