The Pennsylvania Conservation Voters Education League this week laid out an environmental agenda for 2006 that includes no backsliding on environmental funding and makes recommendations in 12 other issue areas.

Two other groups, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and PennFuture also expressed concerned about the environmental funding.

The League was joined by a bipartisan group of four legislators, Sen. Connie Williams (D-Montgomery), Rep. Glenn Grell (R-Cumberland), Rep. Stetler (D-York) and Rep. McIlhinney (R-Bucks).

“Growing Greener II demonstrated that the people of this Commonwealth want us to be stewards of our land. We should not be afraid to take further action to ensure that our water is cleaner, our air is healthier, and thousands of acres remain forested, not paved,” commented Michael Fedor, Executive Director of PCVEL at a press conference this morning.

The 40-page “Environmental Briefing Book” is intended to be a background resource for public officials, staffers, journalists, voters and activists, but it also suggests solutions to the environmental problems faced by Pennsylvania today.

On the timely issue of environmental funding, the Briefing Book highlights the successful passage of the Growing Greener II environmental bond issue in 2005, but notes “concern” over three year’s worth of state and federal budget cuts in environmental agencies like the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources.

In addition, it points to the need to revisit funding for the state’s Wild Resource Conservation Fund to support projects to conserve non-game species.

“While Pennsylvania’s voters made a significant investment in the environment by passing Growing Greener II in 2005, we need to make sure that funding we fought for in past years is maintained and that we do not see a loss of support for watershed groups and other projects from Growing Greener I as well as for agencies that are charged with enforcing our environmental laws and protecting our natural resources.”

These concerns about environmental funding echo comments made by PennFuture two weeks ago when they said the General Assembly and Governor should not divert monies for debt service from Growing Greener I programs.

The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau this week urged the General Assembly to restore funding to county conservation districts and the state Nutrient Management Fund that were reduced by Gov. Rendell’s budget proposal.

The Briefing Book covers water, air quality, agriculture, public health, solid waste and recycling, transportation, the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy, State Forests and Parks, deer management, biodiversity, mining and land use issues.

Here’s a sampling of just a few of the recommendations from the Briefing Book-

Water: DEP should fully enforce requirements for avoiding and minimizing the destruction of wetlands and streams; DEP should amend Chapter 105 to provide better protection for headwater streams; DEP should issue the Stormwater BMP Manual; the General Assembly should provide adequate funding for stormwater management plans and water resources planning.

Air Quality: DEP should adopt a rule to reduce mercury emissions; citizens must demand DEP conduct a careful review of permit applications for new sources and reduce pollution to the fullest extent of the law; DEP should adopt California vehicle emission standards; DEP should expand toxics monitoring.

Agriculture: Farmers need technical and financial assistance to- find alternative manure uses, improve livestock feed efficiency, renovate barnyards near streams, provide incentives for cover crops and rotational grazing and to support other innovative technologies.

Public Health: Pennsylvania should pass legislation limiting the sale, use and distribution of mercury containing items.

Solid Waste & Recycling: Supports passage of House Bill 1902 removing the sunset for the $2 Recycling Fee; impose a moratorium on new waste facilities; develop a state electronics recycling program.

Transportation: The state should implement a “fix-it-first” policy to bring current infrastructure up to a good or excellent condition before building new roads; find dedicated funding for mass transit; reduce the air pollution impacts of diesel engines.

Tributary Strategy: The General Assembly and Rendell Administration need to be accountable for reducing nutrients and sediment going to the Chesapeake Bay and provide funding to meet the commitments.

State Forests and Parks: Protect old forests and Wild Areas; develop a multiple species approach to State Forest management; minimize and reverse forest fragmentation; reduce the deer herd to sustainable levels; restore funding in State Parks for nondevelopmental purposes.

Deer Management: Follow the recommendations in the Audubon PA report “Managing White-tailed Deer in Forest Habitat from an Ecosystem Perspective.”

Biodiversity: DCNR should be designated as the coordinating agency on biodiversity conservation with adequate funding and staffing; dedicate a percentage of the Sales Tax on outdoor recreational equipment to support management and protection of fish and wildlife.

Mining: DEP should enforce the state Clean Streams Law to better protect streams, springs and ponds ahead of mining; supports reauthorization of federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.

Land Use: Provide financial incentives for historic preservation; work with the Farmer’s First Agenda to include additional economic incentives to farmers to preserve farmland; reforms of the Eminent Domain Code should not inhibit community revitalization efforts; reauthorization of the federal Farm Bill and its conservation provisions will have a major impact on supporting farm conservation efforts.

The Pennsylvania Conservation Voters Education League is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization. Its mission is to provide education and training to increase the effective participation of environmentalists in the political arena and to educate policy-makers, the media, and the citizens of Pennsylvania about environmental issues.

A copy of the “Environmental Briefing Book” is available online.

For more information, contact Monica S. Willett, Program Manager, Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters, by sending email to: mwillett@palcv.org or calling 717-234-2651 or writing 300 N. Second St, Suite. 707, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

Links: A Budget Message from DCNR

Proposed Federal Budget Passes More Than 100% of EPA Cuts to the States

The budget proposed last week for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cuts funding for states for the third year in a row, mirroring what has happened in Pennsylvania.

Like last year, the cuts to states are actually larger than the overall agency cut.

States stand to lose $416 million out of the general State and Tribal Assistance Grants. This means EPA is effectively planning to keep $26 million of the money formerly assigned to states for its own purposes.

Particularly hard hit are the clean air program support grants. EPA plans to cut state grants by $35 million, a 15.9 percent reduction.

In water programs, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund was reduced from $900 million to $680 million, and the Section 319 non-point source water program was cut over $10 million. Two other water programs were also cut a combined $10 million.

A $50 million Clean Diesel Initiative was added, as well as an additional $25 million for Underground Storage Tank programs to implement the Clean Diesel Act and the Energy Act, respectively.

The Environmental Council of the States, a coalition of environmental protection secretaries from each of the states, put out a summary of how EPA’s proposed budget will impact states.

Session Schedule

The House returns to session on March 6 and Senate returns March 13, but both will be holding budget hearings over the next three weeks.

On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Senate/House Bills Moving/ Introduced

· Senate Passes Clean Vehicle Bill, Requires Clean Air Stakeholder Groups

· Alternative Energy Tax Credit Legislation Passes House

· House Committee Told Conservation Most Cost Effective Help on Energy Problems

· Joint Committee Hears About Making Railroad Ties from Old Carpet, Waste Plastic

· Committee Chair, Member Changes in Senate and House

Other News

· DEP Grants Support Landfill LNG, Biodiesel, Clean Energy Projects

· EPA Accepting Nominations for SmartWay Environmental Transportation Awards

· USDA Opens Application Period for Renewable Energy, Efficiency Grants

· EPA Offers Community Grants to Reduce Risks of Toxic Exposure

· DEP Seeks Members for Environmental Justice Advisory Board

· Stonycreek-Quemahoning Initiative Receives Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show Award

· Last Call – Deadline for Growing Greener Watershed Grants March 3

· Applications Due Now for Lowe’s Outdoor Classroom Grants

· Five-Star Habitat Restoration Grants Due March 10

· EPA Display at Philadelphia Flower Show Features Native Plant Gardening

· Creek-Friendly Yard Care Workshop Set for February 23 Delaware Count

· Become a Sponsor of the PA Biodiversity Conservation Plan

· New Webcasts on Source Water Protection, Using EPA’s Watershed Handbook

· Aquatic Insects, Stream Ecology Teacher Education Program June 3-4

· Tools Released to Help Small Drinking-Water Systems

· New USGS Web-Based Tool Calculates Groundwater Recharge in Pennsylvania

· EPA Reports on Smart Growth Stormwater Management Best Practices

· Delaware Estuary Sponsors New Events, Education Message Boards

· $1 Million in Boating Facilities Grants Awarded by Fish & Boat Commission

· Support Watershed Protection - Adams County Fishing/Outdoor Expo March 4 & 5

· Pssssssst! Want to Know When They’re Stocking Trout? Check It Out

· PA Chamber Environmental Conference & Trade Show Set for April 18 & 19

See & Hear

· LandSavers – Learn About Biodiversity in Pennsylvania

Feature

· Desilting Basin Finds New Life as Wildlife Habitat, Educational Sanctuary

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

2/17/2006