Action Alert: Governor Paterson's Plans to Slash the EPF Are Unfair

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Thursday, September 02, 2010

This action alert campaign has closed.

Governor Paterson's Plans to Slash the EPF Are Unfair

You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom.

Issue

Protect The Environmental Protection Fund

Background

NYLCV strongly opposes Gov. David Paterson's proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Whereas other state agencies are facing proposed cuts between 10 and 12 percent, the governor wants to cut the EPF by 33 percent.

This wildly disproportionate cut hurts not only the environment but also New York's economy. Here's how:

1. Publicly accessible open space generates economic activity. A recent study by the University of Massachusetts' Political Economy Research Institute documented that New York's state park system generates $1.9 billion in economic activity every year and accounts for 20,000 private sector jobs.

2. Forests and open space reduce storm water runoff and filter out contaminants, reducing the burden on water treatment plants. A report from the Trust for Public Land found that every 10 percent increase in forest cover resulted in a 20 percent reduction in treatment and chemical costs.

3. Preserved open space and farmland reduce the costs associated with suburban sprawl. Land conservation helps concentrate development, making it an effective tool in promoting smart growth, requiring less money to be spent on traffic mitigation and infrastructure.

Please act now by contacting your legislators and urging them to protect this vital funding source.

Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:

Assemblymember Brian M. Kolb
Assemblymember Sheldon Silver
Senator Dean G. Skelos
Senator John L. Sampson
Your State Representative
Your State Senator

A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.

In Opposition to Proposed Cuts to the Environmental Protection Fund

Dear Assemblymember Kolb,
While I understand the harsh fiscal realities facing the state currently, as a member of the New York League of Conservation Voters, I urge you to give careful consideration to the economic benefits generated by the Environmental Protection Fund.

Here are a few examples:

*Protecting land helps decrease water treatment costs - for every 10 percent increase in forest cover in a water source area, treatment costs decreased by approximately 20 percent.

*The EPF's solid waste programs help support an industry with $1.3 billion in revenue and 30,000 jobs.

*State parks and historic sites alone generate almost $500 million in sales to local businesses from visitors from out of state.

Given the critical role of the Environmental Protection Fund in maintaining the health of New York's environment, its citizens and economy, I urge the state Legislature to:

1) Restore the EPF to $222 million;
2) Remove the proposed new categories that have been included in the EPF; and
3) Include a repayment plan for past sweeps in this year's budget.

Thank you for your past efforts to protect New York's environment and economy. I hope we can count on you again.
Your name and address here

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