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Senate Passes GGIII Framework Legislation

For Immediate Release:  January 31, 2018
Contacts: Andrew Heath, Growing Greener Coalition, (717) 824-2281

COALITION APPLAUDS SENATE’S PASSAGE OF GROWING GREENER III
FRAMEWORK LEGISLATION 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today expressed its appreciation to the Pennsylvania Senate for passing the Growing Greener III framework legislation originally introduced by Senator Tom Killion (R-Delaware) by an overwhelming vote of 47 to 2.

“Today is a great day for the Growing Greener program, the communities and non-profits which it supports, and Pennsylvania as a whole,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “The Coalition applauds Senator Tom Killion for offering an amendment to Senate Bill 799 that included the Growing Greener III framework language. This represents a positive step in achieving a viable Growing Greener III program, and we are encouraged that the Senate understands how important the Growing Greener III program is in tackling the ever-increasing unmet needs facing communities throughout the state.”

Established in 1999, the state’s Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment improvements.

The Growing Greener III framework legislation enhances the state’s current Growing Greener program by adding agencies and additional programs to the already existing authorizations to better address the present-day needs facing the Commonwealth.

The framework legislation also reflects the urgent need to address water quality issues in the Chesapeake Bay by requiring certain state agencies to allocate a percentage of its Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Funds for projects in Susquehanna River watershed. Once fully-funded, the Growing Greener III program will be the largest investment ever made by the Commonwealth to meet its commitment to improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Coalition has identified more than $300+ million in annual needs to ensure Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, locally grown food, and parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

“We acknowledge that this is a process, and the Coalition is committed to working with the General Assembly and the Governor to ensure that additional funding needed for the program can be achieved this year,” said Heath.

The legislation now moves to the House.

Coalition Statement on DEP Growing Greener Grants

For Immediate Release:  December 7, 2017

COALITION STATEMENT ON ANNOUNCED GROWING GREENER GRANTS 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to Governor Wolf’s announcement of 106 local water clean-up projects that will receive more than $20.7 million in Growing Greener funding.

“The Coalition applauds the Wolf administration and General Assembly for recognizing the need to improve water quality in Pennsylvania and for investing in projects to enhance our watersheds, mitigate acid mine drainage, and support programs to reduce pollution. 

“These investments through the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund are critical to keeping our drinking water clean and ensuring that current and future generations are able to enjoy our rivers, lakes, streams and other waterways. 

“It is also important to note, however, that funding for Growing Greener program needs to be increased. Funding for Growing Greener has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to less than $60 million this year. This represents a nearly 75 percent reduction.”

“The Coalition urges lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to come together to advance a Growing Greener III initiative to continue investments to protect and preserve Pennsylvania’s water resources as well as our green open spaces, family farms, parks and trails, and historic sites.”

Of the 106 local water clean-up projects awarded through the Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program, fifty-one are in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Pennsylvania has a federal mandate to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution in the watershed

The Governor’s press release, including a list of funded projects, can be found at:

https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-approves-106-local-water-clean-projects-statewide/

According to the DEP, the Growing Greener grant program is the largest single investment of state funds to address Pennsylvania’s environmental challenges. Since 1999, DEP has provided more than $296 million towards environmental projects statewide.

Established in 1999, the state’s Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment improvements.

Coalition Applauds Conservation & Recreation Grants

For Immediate Release:  December 5, 2017

GROWING GREENER COALITION APPLAUDS CONSERVATION & RECREATION GRANTS, CAUTIONS THAT OVERALL FUNDING IS INSUFFICIENT

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in Pennsylvania, today applauded the state for awarding $44 million in grants to support conservation and recreation projects across the Commonwealth.

However, the Coalition cautioned that overall funding for conservation and recreation remains at all-time lows. Because of this, the Coalition calls on the Governor and Legislature to take action by passing a fully funded Growing Greener III program.

“The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition applauds the state for investing in critical conservation projects across the Commonwealth,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition. “However, the Governor and Legislature must take action to ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, green open spaces, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and nutritious, locally grown food.”

The grants were awarded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), which is largely supported with funds from the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund and Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund.

The Department received 442 applications requesting more than $87 million in project funding.

“The fact that the state must deny nearly 40 percent of grant requests received reveals how underfunded these programs are. The needs facing our Commonwealth are great, and they grow exponentially with each year we ignore them,” said Heath. “The Commonwealth must address these funding shortfalls.”

Funding for Growing Greener has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to less than $60 million this year. This represents a nearly 75 percent reduction.

In the fall of 2016, the Growing Greener Coalition unveiled its blueprint for a statewide Growing Greener III program, detailing the need for more than $315 million in annual investments to protect Pennsylvania’s water, land, communities and other natural resources.

Earlier this year, Senators Tom Killion (R-Delaware), Richard Alloway (R-Adams) and Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) introduced SB705 which serves as the framework for a Growing Greener III program. The legislation has 27 co-sponsors and has been reported to the Senate Environmental Recourses & Energy Committee.

Companion legislation is being introduced in the House by Representatives Hal English (R-Allegheny), Mike Carroll (D-Lackawanna), Alex Charlton (R-Delaware), Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) and Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) and currently has 110 co-sponsors.

The Growing Greener III plan proposed by the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition has been endorsed by more than 180 conservation, preservation and recreation organizations, as well as several businesses and local governments, representing hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. For a copy of the plan and full list of supporters visit www.growinggreener3.com.

Established in 1999, the state’s Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment improvements.

 

Coalition Statement: No Special Fund Transfers

For Immediate Release:  September 5, 2017

Coalition Statement on ‘Taxpayer Caucus’ Budget Proposal

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to the ‘Taxpayer Caucus’ budget proposal.

“Today, a handful of Republican House members presented a revenue proposal that relies heavily on special fund transfers, including transfers from Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund and the Agriculture Conservation Easement Fund. Each of these funds provide critical investments in local communities in order to address a growing list of conservation, recreation and preservation challenges facing the state.

By raiding these accounts, this group of legislators discount the critical work being accomplished and the jobs these projects produce. These are not just numbers on a page – these are real Pennsylvanians who will be affected. These funds go towards protecting our water, building our community parks and trails, maintaining our state parks and forests, protecting our family farms, promoting our state’s heritage and tourism, and much more. 

It is unclear, at this time, just how many Pennsylvania businesses and communities will be affected if this proposal is accepted.

It is also unclear whether the proposal would target previously dedicated funds for state and local parks, farm and open space conservation, environmental protection and other community projects. Many of the account balances referenced by the House members include funds obligated to projects, but not yet dispersed.

This proposal misses the mark of addressing the real budget issues facing the state.”

In addition to the statement released today, the Coalition distributed a sign-on letter to House members last week urging them to reject environmental special fund transfers. The letter garnered the support of more than 125 organization and community leaders, along with 34 County Commissioners. A copy of the letter can be found on the Coalition website at: https://pagrowinggreener.org/2803-2/

Sign-On Letter: No Special Fund Transfers

NO SPECIAL FUND TRANSFERS

Electronic Version Sent: July 22, 2017
Updated: August 31, 2017

Dear Members of the General Assembly,

As discussions continue on the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year budget, we, the undersigned business and community leaders, elected officials, and organizations, strongly urge you to protect special funds for conservation, recreation, and preservation programs critical to the protection of our land, water, and heritage.

We recognize current budget challenges, but we also recognize that the Commonwealth cannot achieve prosperity by cutting crucial investments in Pennsylvania’s future –  investments that bring lasting improvements to our communities and contribute so much to our economic and environmental health.

We request your leadership in opposing proposals that reduce or eliminate dedicated funding to programs that protect our land and water, strengthen our communities, and protect our families.

We want to emphasize and reiterate the importance of keeping intact the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund and the Farmland Preservation program.

Now more than ever, Pennsylvania needs to increase and optimize its investment in local efforts to protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support parks and recreation, and preserve our historic and cultural sites.

The investments made by these successful and time-tested programs in conservation, recreation, and preservation are proven to bolster the economy. For example, a Trust for Public Land study on the Keystone Fund found that for every $1 invested in land and water conservation, the Commonwealth saw a $7 return on investment in goods and services.

Public polls show strong, consistent, and bipartisan public support for programs that improve our quality of life, boost the economy, and protect the environment throughout Pennsylvania. A survey released by Penn State found that more than 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed support increasing state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails; and preserving farmland.

The survey also found that more than three-quarters of respondents, 82.6 percent, would support increasing state funds to address these threats to our environments, even if it would cost the average household $10 more annually.

The people of Pennsylvania feel that these conservation, recreation, and preservation programs offer substantial value and must not be diminished.

We recognize the challenges ahead and look forward to working with you to ensure that funding for programs that protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support our parks and trails, and safeguard our historic treasures remain intact.

Thank you.

Andrew Heath, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

SIGNATORIES

Dave Swope, Chairman of the Board
Adams County Trout Unlimited 323

Christina Handley, President
Allegheny Aquatic Alliance

Jane Sheffield, President
Allegheny Ridge Corporation
HeritagePA

Christopher J. Beichner, President & CEO
Tom Dougherty, VP of External Affairs
Allegheny Land Trust

Rebecca Zeyzus, Executive Director
Allegheny Watershed Alliance

Will Callaway, Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager
Appalachian Mountain Club

Karen Lutz, Regional Director
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Jim Vogt, President
Aquashicola/Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy

Will Brandau, President
Association of Warm Season Grass Producers

Greg Goldman, Executive Director
Audubon of Pennsylvania

Jim Bonner, Executive Director
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania

Peggy Morrison Outon, Executive Director
Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management

Ken Hemphill, Director
Beaver Valley Preservation Alliance

Hazel A. Bilka
Bellwood Antis Community Trust, Inc.

Kimberly Murphy, President
Berk Nature

Sarah Clark Stuart, Executive Director
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Thomas Smithwick, President
Big Spring Watershed Association

Janis B. Long
Blacklick Creek Watershed Association

Bruce Erb, Commissioner
Terrence Tomassetti, Commissioner
Blair County Board of Commissioners

Christopher Clouser, President
BluAcres, LLC

Robert Struble, Jr., Watershed Conservation Director
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance

Marcus S. Berg, Board Member
Buffalo Creek Watershed

Kathy Altmann, President
Bushkill Stream Conservancy

Kevin Boozel, Commissioner
Butler County Board of Commissioners

Lori Reed, Chair
Phillip Jones, Commissioner
Cameron County Board of Commissioners

Wayne E. Nothstein, Chairman
Tom J. Gerhard, Vice Chairman
William J. O’Gurek, Commissioner
Carbon County Board of Commissioners

Bernard Survil, Executive Director
Care of Creation

Ed Wytovich, President
Catawissa Creek Restoration Association

Anna N. Yelk, Executive Director
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy

Michael Pipe, Chair
Mark Higgins, Commissioner
Centre County Board of Commissioners

Harry Campbell, Director
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, PA Chapter

Kathi Cozzone, Commissioner
Chester County Board of Commissioners

Dale Kotowski, President
Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Larry J. Schweiger, President & CEO
Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture)

Lindsay Taylor, Director of Park & Recreation
City of Allentown

Joseph Minott, Executive Director
Clean Air Council

Steve Hvozdovich, PA Campaign Director
Clean Water Action

Robert Smeltz, Chairman
Jeffrey Snyder, Vice Chairman
Paul Conklin, Commissioner
Clinton County Board of Commissioners

Josh McNeil, Executive Director
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania

Bill Kern, Executive Director
Countryside Conservancy

Sarah Clark Stuart, Chair
Circuit Trails Coalition

Aimee Erickson, Executive Director
Citizens Coal Council

Vincent DiFilippo, Commissioner
Jim Hertzler, Commissioner
Cumberland County Board of Commissioners

Elissa M. Garofalo, Executive Director
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.

Diane Rosencrance, Executive Director
Delaware Highlands Conservancy

John Oliver, Former Secretary
Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Russ Collins, President
Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Michael A. Dziak, President/CEO
Earth Conservancy

Robert Hughes, Executive Director
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR)

Cynthia Kishinchand, Coordinator
East Falls Tree Tenders

Jason Lang, Director of Parks & Recreation
East Goshen Township, Chester County

Marty Detering, President
Elk Creek Watershed Association

Annette Schultz, Executive Director
Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc.

Vince Vicites, Chairman
Fayette County Commissioner

Andrew Pitz, Executive Director
French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust

Susan Taylor, Executive Director
Friends of the Delaware Canal

Alexis Franklin, Coordinator
Friends of McMichael Park

John Dawes, Executive Director
Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds

Lee V. Fishel, Manager
Goldsboro Borough, York County

Victoria Laubach, Executive Director
Green Valleys Watershed Association

Laurie J. Goodrich, Director of Long-Term Monitoring
Hawk Mountain

Janie French, Executive Director
Headwaters Charitable Trust

Jeff Marshall, President
Heritage Conservancy

Tom Hodges, Board President
Sean Brady, Executive Director
Hollow Oak Land Trust

Dee Dee Brown, Mayor
Huntingdon Borough, Huntingdon County

Jeff Thomas, Commissioner
Huntingdon County Board of Commissioners

Victoria E. Michaels, Executive Director
Independence Conservancy

Rodney Ruddock, Commissioner
Indiana County Board of Commissioners

Janis B. Long
Indiana County Farmland Preservation Board

Joseph Neville, Executive Director
Keystone Trails Association

Craig Lukatch, President
Lacawac Sanctuary

Joseph J. Corcoran, Executive Director
Lackawanna Heritage Valley National & State Heritage Area

David Skellie, President
Lake Erie Region Conservancy

Eugene Garber, Chair
Lancaster County Agricultural Board

Craig Lehman, Commissioner
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners

Philip R. Wenger, President & CEO
Lancaster County Conservancy

Karen Martynick, Executive Director
Lancaster Farmland Trust

Jo Ellen Litz, Commissioner
Lebanon County Board of Commissioners

Dr. Percy Dougherty, Commissioner
Dan Hartzell, Commissioner
Lehigh County Board of Commissioners

Olga Herbert, Executive Director
Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

Susan L. Huba, Executive Director
Loyalhanna Watershed

Rick Mirabito, Commissioner
Lycoming County Board of Commissioners

Carol Parenzan, Riverkeeper
Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Inc.

Kevin P. Kodish, Chairman
Stephen Dunkle, Commissioner
Robert Postal, Commissioner
Mifflin County Board of Commissioners

Val Arkoosh, Chair
Montgomery County Board of Commissioners

Donna Holdorf, Co-Lead
Monongahela River Towns Program

Kenneth A. Holdren, Chairman
Dan W. Hartman, Vice Chairman
Trevor S. Finn, Commissioner
Montour County Board of Commissioners

Beverly Braverman, Executive Director
Mountain Watershed Association

Amanda John, Program Manager, PA & DE
National Parks Conservation Association

Donna Holdorf, Executive Director
National Road Heritage Corridor

Molly Morrison, President
Natural Lands

Mark Szybist, Senior Program Advocate
Natural Resources Defense Council

Melinda Hughes, President
Nature Abounds

Brenda Smith, Executive Director
Nine Mile Run Watershed Association

Bill Moul, President
North Area Environmental Council

Jim MacKenzie
Octoraro Native Plant Nursery

John R. Phillips, II, President & CEO
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism

Jack D. Miller, Chair
Otzinachson Regional Group, Sierra Club

Terri Dennison, Executive Director
PA Route 6 Alliance
PA Route 6 Tourist Association

Tina Manoogian-King, Recreation Director
Palmyra Area Recreation & Parks Commission

David Masur, Executive Director
PennEnvironment

Rev. Sandra Strauss, Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach
Pennsylvania Council of Churches

Charlie Charlesworth, President
Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited

Davitt Woodwell, President
Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Richard A. Martin, Coordinator
Pennsylvania Forest Coalition

Richard Lewis, Vice President
Pennsylvania Forestry Association

Larry Williamson, Chairman
Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

Jeffrey Barg, Director of Planning
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Andy Loza, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Land Trust Association

Gregg E. Robertson, Government Relations
Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association

Michele Richards, President
Pennsylvania Master Naturalist

Marci Mowery, President
Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Kirk S. Rakos, President, Board of Directors
Tim Herd, CEO
Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society

Tim Schumann, President
Peters Creek Watershed Association

Walter Tsou, MD., Executive Director
Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility

Meg Cheever, President & CEO
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Mindy Crawford, Executive Director
Preservation Pennsylvania

Tom Sexton, Director Northeast Office
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Robert Cross, President
Responsible Drilling Alliance

Lee Walker, President
Rural Area Concerned Citizens

William Reichert, President
Schuylkill Headwaters Associations, Inc.

Joseph R. Syrnick, President & CEO
Schuylkill River Development Corporation

Elaine Schaefer, Executive Director
Schuylkill River Heritage Area

Joanne Kilgour, Chapter Director
Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter

Kristy Owens, Parks & Recreation Manager
Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County

Malcolm L. Derk, Vice Chairman
Snyder County Board of Commissioners

James Moses, President
Somerset County Conservancy

Katie Hess, Director
South Mountain Partnership

Gail Kulp, Executive Director
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

Mark Platts, President
Susquehanna Heritage

Court Gould, Executive Director
Sustainable Pittsburgh

Tim Kearney, Mayor
Swarthmore Borough, Delaware County

Gwendolyn Lacy, Executive Director
The Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County

Kyle Shenk, Pennsylvania State Director
The Conservation Fund

Ron Ramsey, Sr. Policy Advisor
The Nature Conservancy, PA Chapter

Stacy McCormack, Mid-Atlantic Director
The Trust for Public Land

Jim Engel, Executive Director
Tinicum Conservancy

Ann M. Toole, CPRP
Toole Recreation Planning

Danielle Crumrine, Executive Director
Tree Pittsburgh

David Kinney, Mid-Atlantic Policy Director
Trout Unlimited

Lance Bowes, District Manager
Venango Conservation District

Jeff Eggleston, Commissioner
Warren County Board of Commissioners

Gary R. Peacock
Watershed Alliance of York, Inc.

Nate Pritchard, Vice President
Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley

Thomas D. Saunders, President & CEO
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Betty Reefer, Director
Westmoreland County Agricultural Land Preservation

Mary Tate, Executive Director
Westmoreland Land Trust

Christopher Kocher, President
Wildlands Conservancy

Bonnie Van Allen, Executive Director
Willistown Conservation Trust

Susan Byrnes, President
Doug Hoke, Vice President
Christopher Reilly, Commissioner
York County Board of Commissioners

Ted Kovall, President
Yough River Trail Council

Growing Greener Bill Introduced

For Immediate Release:  May 24, 2017 

COALITION APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF GROWING GREENER BILL
First Step Toward Increased Investment to Protect Water, Land and
Other Natural Resources

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition today applauded the introduction of legislation that establishes a framework for renewed and increased investment in the state’s Growing Greener program. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware), Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Adams) and Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks).

“We are thankful to Senators Killion, Alloway and McIlhinney for standing up for the Growing Greener program and recognizing the importance of protecting our water and other natural resources,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “This legislation is a good first step as we work with the Governor and the General Assembly to identify a bipartisan, sustainable revenue source for increased investment in the Growing Greener program.”

Established in 1999, the Growing Greener program has a long history of success, but there is still much more work to be done. The Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the state, has identified more than $315 million in annual needs to ensure Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, locally grown food, and parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

However, funding for the program is at an all-time low, down 75 percent since the mid-2000s.

“It will take greater investments in the right people, places and practices for Pennsylvania to get back on track toward meeting its clean water commitments. Renewed and increased funding of conservation efforts like the Growing Greener III program is a step in the right direction,” said Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “Pennsylvania has roughly 19,000 miles of impaired waters.  We look forward to working with legislators as they pursue additional revenue streams that will clean up and save our rivers and streams.”

Senate Bill 705 updates the current Growing Greener program, adding the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to the agencies eligible to receive Growing Greener money.

The bill also authorizes the funding of a Working Forest Conservation Easement initiative to protect the state’s forests and ensure a healthy forest industry and reflects the urgent need to address water quality issues in the Susquehanna River watershed by requiring certain state agencies to allocate a percentage of Growing Greener funds for projects in the Susquehanna River watershed. It also enables the Department of Agriculture to use Growing Greener dollars to support best management practices on farms and help improve local water quality.

“As budget negotiations continue, the Coalition looks forward to working with our elected leaders in Harrisburg to ensure funding to keep our water clean, conserve our land, and provide parks, trails and other recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike,” said Heath. “We must act now to Keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener.”

The bill has strong bipartisan support with the following 27 cosponsors:

Sens. Richard Alloway (R-Adams), David Argall (R-Schuylkill), Lisa Baker (R-Susquehanna), Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh), James Brewster (D-Allegheny), Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester), Wayne Fontana (D-Allgeheny), John Gorder (R-Northumberland), Stewart Greenleaf (R-Bucks), Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia), Tom Killion (R-Delaware), Wayne Langerholc (R-Bedford), Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks), Thomas McGarrigle (R-Delaware), Robert Mensch (R-Montgomery), John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny), John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia), Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Patrick Stefano (R-Somerset), Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny), Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Donald White (R-Armstrong), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne).

 

Keep PA Growing Greener Rally

 

For Immediate Release:  May 9, 2017

GROWING GREENER ADVOCATES RALLY FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR CLEAN WATER, PARKS, TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND FAMILY FARMS

(HARRISBURG, PA) Advocates for Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener program today rallied on the steps of the state Capitol to call for increased funding to protect water, preserve open space and family farms, and ensure current and future generations continue to have access to community parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

“Funding for the Growing Greener program is at an all-time low,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, which organized the rally. “We are urging the Governor and General Assembly to act now to identify a bipartisan, sustainable funding source for Growing Greener so the state can continue to make critical investments to protect our natural resources and keep our economy and communities healthy.

“Further, while we recognize the current fiscal challenges facing the state, the budget cannot be balanced at the expense of the environment, including our parks and forests,” Heath continued.

The Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the state, has identified more than $315 million in annual needs to ensure Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, locally grown food, and parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

However, funding for the program has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to $57 million this year. This represents a 75 percent reduction.

“Now more than ever, we need to be doing more to protect our natural resources, not less,” said Jacqui Bonomo, executive vice president and COO of PennFuture. “Our state constitution guarantees Pennsylvanians an enforceable right to ensure their government acts in a manner that protects our right to a healthy environment, and it imposes an obligation on the government to manage our public resources in a manner that conserves them for current and future generations.”

Established in 1999, the Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways.

The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment improvements.

Numerous studies have shown that Pennsylvania’s parks, farms, waterways, and open space generate significant economic and health benefits locally and statewide, and are critical to the strength of two of Pennsylvania’s leading industries – tourism and agriculture.

“The Growing Greener program has a proven track record of success,” said Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware). “I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues in the legislature to ensure the program’s vitality long into the future and to keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener.”

Killion is planning to introduce Senate Bill 705 with Senators Richard Alloway (R-York) and Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) that would establish a framework for renewed and increased investment in Growing Greener.

Since its inception, the state’s Growing Greener program has enjoyed widespread, bipartisan support. A 2015 Penn State poll found that 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed would support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, forests, and farms.

“Pennsylvania families place great value on clean water, locally grown food and protecting our natural resources,” said Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon).  “Funding Growing Greener programs means sound investment in a better quality of life and a stronger economy that supports tens of thousands of jobs in tourism and agriculture.”

Despite the success of the Growing Greener program, there is much more work that needs to be done.

  • Nineteen thousand miles of streams and rivers are impaired: not safe for drinking or recreational use and/or cannot support aquatic life and cannot support agriculture and other industries.
  • Abandoned mines scar nearly 200,000 acres in 43 counties, causing of 5,500 miles of dead streams and rivers.
  • More than 1,800 family farms remain on the waiting list to be protected and preserved.
  • The majority of the state’s 6,000 local parks and more than 11,000 miles of trails need significant upgrades.

Also joining in the rally to Keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener were Sen. Richard Alloway (R-York); Rep. Alex Charlton (R-Delaware), Rep. Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne/Lackawanna) and Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) as well as John Arway, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, David Kinney, Mid-Atlantic Policy Director, Trout Unlimited, and George Matysik, Executive Director, Philadelphia Parks Alliance.

About the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth. The Coalition’s mission is to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities across the Commonwealth by advocating for funding to conserve, protect and restore land, water and wildlife; to preserve farms and historic places, and to provide well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state. Established in 2008, the Coalition comprises local, regional and statewide conservation, recreation and preservation groups.  For more information, visit www.PaGrowingGreener.org.

Earth Day Message

For Immediate Release:  April 21, 2017 

GROWING GREENER COALITION: STILL MORE WORK TO DO TO
PROTECT WATER & OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in Pennsylvania, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath urging the Governor and Legislature to invest in the state’s Growing Greener program:

“As communities across the Commonwealth celebrate Earth Day tomorrow, it is important to remember that many of the rivers and streams, state parks and community playgrounds, and fields and forests that we enjoy today would not be the same without state investment.

“Over the past two decades, the Pennsylvania Growing Greener program has funded countless projects to clean up and restore our waterways, create recreation opportunities, conserve our land and protect our natural resources.

“But there is still more work to do. The majority of the state’s 6,000 local parks need significant upgrades, thousands of miles of rivers and streams are still not safe for recreational use – meaning no boating and no fishing – and nearly 200,000 acres remain scarred by abandoned mines.

“The Coalition’s blueprint for a Growing Greener III program has identified the need for more than $315 million annually to keep our water clean, preserve our open space and family farms and ensure children and families continue to have access to parks, trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities.

“We urge our elected leaders in Harrisburg not to let funding for Growing Greener run dry and to increase investment for this critical program. Otherwise, there could be little to celebrate on future Earth Days.”

 

 

Proposed State Budget Falls Short

For Immediate Release:  February 7, 2017

GROWING GREENER COALITION: WOLF BUDGET FALLS SHORT IN PROTECTING WATER AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in Pennsylvania, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to Governor Wolf’s proposed budget:

“Governor Wolf’s proposed budget falls short when it comes to protecting Pennsylvania’s water, land, forests, parks, trails and other natural resources, and the economic benefits and jobs they provide.  

“Any transfers from or reductions to the current Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund are unacceptable and do not advance Pennsylvania’s commitment to clean streams, public recreation and locally grown food.

“We need to invest more in the state’s environment, not less.

“Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener program needs at least $315 million annually to keep our water clean, preserve our open space and family farms, and ensure children and families continue to have access to parks, trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities, which are vital to our communities and quality of life here in Pennsylvania.

“Our elected leaders can no longer delay when it comes to investing in the Growing Greener program. The Coalition strongly urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to identify a sustainable revenue source to Keep Pa Growing Greener now and for generations to come.”

More Funding Needed for Environment, Not Less

For Immediate Release:  February 2, 2017

GROWING GREENER COALITION TO GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE: MORE FUNDING NEEDED FOR ENVIRONMENT, NOT LESS

 (HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in Pennsylvania, today called on Gov. Tom Wolf and the Legislature to provide more funding to protect Pennsylvania’s water, land and other natural resources, not less.

“As Governor Wolf prepares to present his budget next week, we want to remind him and the Legislature that Pennsylvania needs more funding to protect our water, land and other natural resources, not less,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition. “While we recognize the current fiscal challenges facing the state, this budget must not and cannot be balanced at the expense of the environment.”

“Cuts to state programs like Growing Greener, Keystone and Farmland Preservation are unacceptable,” Heath continued. “Further, any new revenue proposals must include funding for Growing Greener to ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, green open spaces, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and nutritious, locally grown food.”

Funding for Growing Greener has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to $57 million this year. This represents a 75 percent cut and an all-time low for the program.

The Coalition recently unveiled its blueprint for a statewide Growing Greener III program, detailing the need for more than $315 million in annual investments to protect Pennsylvania’s water, land, forests and other natural resources, stimulate economic growth in our communities and improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.

Established in 1999, the state’s Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment improvements.

Since its inception, the state’s Growing Greener program has enjoyed widespread, bipartisan public support. A 2015 Penn State poll found that 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed would support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests, and farms.

The Growing Greener III plan proposed by the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition has been endorsed by more than 170 conservation, preservation and recreation organizations, as well as several businesses and local governments, representing hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. For a copy of the plan and full list of supporters visit www.growinggreener3.com.