On July 13, the PA Association of Conservation Districts issued this statement thanking the General Assembly for a $6.8 million increase in funding--

Pennsylvania’s County Conservation Districts thank the Pennsylvania legislature for supporting conservation districts in the state budget.

Pennsylvania Conservation Districts assist landowners through technical assistance, permit reviews, site inspections, and education in a safe, efficient, and effective manner. The goal of conservation districts is to protect our natural resources, keep food on tables, and ensure public safety. 

Through the efforts of the PA General Assembly, the “Transfer to the Conservation District” lines in the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture budgets were collectively increased by $6.8 million. 

“The conservation districts play an important role in protecting the Commonwealth’s resources. By including an increase in the state budget for conservation districts, the Pennsylvania General Assembly is investing in the conservation district mission of clean  water and healthy soil for all Pennsylvanians,” said Brenda Shambaugh, PACD Executive Director.

As a result of the legislator's actions, conservation districts will continue to review permits, assist farmers, assist municipalities in preparing to fix low-volume roads and dirt and gravel roads throughout the state and help control mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Zika Virus.

To learn more about county conservation districts, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website.

NewsClips:

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Better Parks, Cleaner Rivers: How PA Will Spend A ‘Generational’ $765 Million For Conservation And Environmental Programs

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: PA, Longtime Pariah Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Gets Rare ‘Attaboy’ For New Environmental Investments

-- Bay Journal: PA Takes ‘Historic’ Action To Fund Clean Water Projects And Help The Chesapeake Bay - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

-- StateImpact PA - Rachel McDevitt: Environmentalists Hail Latest PA Budget, Even As Key Climate Program On Hold

-- PA Capital-Star: State Budget Will Give Environmental Efforts A Funding Boost

-- Lancaster Farming: New PA Laws Will Head Off Nutrient Runoff

-- Scranton Times Editorial: State’s Late Investment In Clean Water

-- DCNR Blog: PA’s New Budget Includes Historic Investment In Conservation

-- AP: State Budget Funds 3 New State Parks, Locations To Be Determined

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Could A New State Park Be Coming To The Philly Region?

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: DCNR To Add 3 New State Parks, Likely In Eastern PA

-- WESA: PA Legislature Approves New $125 Million Home Repair Assistance Initiative With Energy Efficiency Program

Related Articles:

-- Final State Budget Includes Nearly $700 Million In Funding To Support Local And State Environmental, Recreation Infrastructure Projects!  [PaEN]

-- Coalition For Delaware River Watershed: Pennsylvania Falls Short In Funding Commitment To Delaware River Basin Commission  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 14, 2022]

7/18/2022