It's bearly Spring! Photo by Karen Hohman

The number of environmental groups expressing concern publicly and privately about environmental funding cuts and diversions in the proposed 2006-07 state budget increased this week.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council became the latest group to write members of the Senate and House and to Gov. Rendell urging that environmental funding cuts and diversions affecting conservation and environmental programs be restored.

The following is the text of the Council’s letter--

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, I want to express our deep concern about funding levels for conservation and environmental protection programs in the proposed 2006-07 budget.

Last year we worked with you to secure more funding for critical environmental programs through passage of the Growing Greener II bond. An overwhelming 61 percent of voters supported the bond issue, sending a clear message that they support additional funding for watershed and habitat improvement, mine reclamation, reducing nutrient runoff from farms, sewer and water system upgrades and farm and open space preservation.

With the proposed budget, we could lose this momentum by cutting or diverting more than $100 million in environmental funding from existing programs in 2006-07— $30 million out of the Environmental Stewardship Fund for the hazardous sites clean-up program and a one-time diversion of $63 million from the Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund.

In addition, other environmental programs face funding challenges in 2006-07-- the fee to support Recycling Programs needs to be reauthorized, the Nutrient Management Fund will be depleted by June 2007, $10 million must be paid back to the Storage Tank Indemnification Fund and funding for county conservation districts has been cut.

The choice to reduce environmental funding this year not only conflicts with the very clear message from voters, but also with Pennsylvania’s obligations to:

· clean up the 10,762 miles of streams that do not meet water quality standards, including 4,036 miles polluted by acid mine drainage;

· support the millions of Pennsylvanians who are recycling;

· promote environmental education; and

· preserve our environment for our children.

With the passage of the Growing Greener II bond issue last year, we took a giant step forward to support environmental programs. Let’s not take a step back from our commitment to cleaning up the environment this year by reducing environmental funding in next year’s budget.

Thank you in advance for your efforts to protect and restore Pennsylvania’s environment.

Sincerely,

Pennsylvania Resources Council

Links: PEC – Restore $100 Million in Environmental Funding Cuts, Diversions

Appropriations Committees Hear of Environmental Funding “Challenges”

Groups Concerned About Environmental Funding, Federal Cuts Hurt States

Session Schedule

The Senate and House are in session the week of April 3.

On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Senate/House Bills Moving/Introduced

Other News

· Farmers Working to Protect Chesapeake Bay Recognized

· PA American Water Environmental Grant Applications Due April 19

· USDA Grants for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Tools

· TMDLs for Alder Run Watershed, a Second Tributary Proposed in Clearfield

· DEP, Corps Set Hearing on Proposed Inflatable Dam at Wilkes-Barre

· DEP Engineering Services Program Helps Small Water Systems

· With Spring Flood Season's Return, Consumers Urged to Seek Flood Insurance

· Rep. Bruce Smith Proposes Hunting License Fee Increase for 2007

· Harrisburg Falcon on Schedule With First Eggs, Watch 2 Other Nests

· Invasive Weed Species Management Fact Sheets Available Online

· Allegheny PA CleanWays Offers Cleanup Training to Support Great PA Cleanup

· State, Lebanon County Celebrate 10,000 Acres of Farmland Preserved

· Penn State Ag Scientists Tout Alternative Energy Sources at Expo

· FirstEnergy Buys Power from Largest Wind Farm Project in PA

· Applications for EPA Grants for Truck Fuel Conservation Technology Due May 15

· DCNR Offers Mini-Workshops on Grant Writing

· Workshops on Funding Municipal Recreation Programs, Land Use Set in May

· PA-AWWA's 58th Annual Conference April 25-27

· Yellow Breeches Creek Water Trail Public Meeting May 3

· EPA’s March Watershed News Features Leads on Funding, Training and More

See & Hear

· Echoes Through Penn’s Woods – How Pennsylvania’s Environment Has Changed

Feature

· Project Dedicated that Raises Rainbow Trout in Treated Mine Drainage

· Along Mill Creek, Amish Do The Right Thing, By Ad Crable, Lancaster New Era

Go To the Watershed Awareness Month Events Section

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

3/31/2006