Under Senate Bill 850 (Senate Republican budget), an additional $19 million would be cut from DCNR's budget beyond the "difficult but prudent reductions" Gov. Rendell proposed in February which itself cut $6.9 million from the proposed 2009-10 budget.

 

"Families that cannot afford to take a vacation because of the tough economic times could always count on enjoying a little rest and relaxation at a nearby state park or forest," said Acting Secretary Quigley. "However, if the Senate's budget proposal is enacted, there would be even fewer of those opportunities as we would have to close a number of state parks. That means less traffic and fewer dollars being spent in the rural communities with businesses and jobs that count on these parks and forests.

 

"The Senate's proposal would be absolutely devastating to these rural areas and to our efforts to preserve our natural resources for present and future generations. In contrast, the Governor's budget proposal reflects the difficult economy we now face and would still allow us to provide a quality outdoor experience for our citizens and visitors," said Acting Secretary Quigley, also noting that closing 35 state parks would turn away more than 3 million visitors and wipe out at least $57 million in visitor spending on products and services in nearby communities.

 

He said many other programs that enhance a visitor's experience at a state park or forest, protect natural resources, or help communities offer more recreational opportunities also would suffer under the Senate's proposal.

 

About 40,000 acres of forest would be vulnerable to gypsy moths because the department will not be able to apply treatments.

 

Sen. White said the Republican budget appropriated the same amount of funding the Governor did for gypsy moth spraying in the current year, an amount that was reduced by $819,000 by the Governor.

 

DCNR said a seedling program that helps protect watersheds, control soil erosion, reclaim former mining areas, and provide food and cover to wildlife was also reduced in the Republican budget.

 

In response, Sen. White noted DCNR had provided the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society with a $1 million grant to help plant trees under the Treevitallize program. She also suggested DCNR consider selling the trees at cost to the public, rather than have taxpayers subsidize the program.

 

In addition, DCNR said it would likely remove state forest rangers who serve as the primary contact for visitors and who promote safety and enforce the law on forestlands. Local governments and communities that depend on DCNR for important topographic, geologic and technical information, as well as help with 1,000 active grants for parks, trails and other recreational developments will receive less help under the Senate's proposal.

 

Acting Secretary Quigley also noted that the Senate's plan does not restore funding for the department's Heritage tourism grants, despite repeated criticisms by the caucus when Gov. Rendell made the difficult decision to cut the program.

 

Sen. White's letter explained the Heritage Parks grant program was zeroed out by Gov. Rendell in his 2009-10 budget request.

 

A copy of Sen. White's letter is available online.