Growing Greener Coalition

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A coalition of environmental, conservation, and outdoor recreation organizations in PA.

Paul Doerwald

Coalition Thanks Senate for Designating May “Clean Water Counts” Month

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2016 

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Thanks Senate for Designating May Clean Water Counts Month

 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, thanked members of the Senate for designating the month of May as Clean Water Counts Month.

“We are pleased that members of the State Senate recognize the need to improve water quality in Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Health, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “Our Coalition looks forward to working with lawmakers in the upcoming months to identify funding for a Growing Greener III initiative to help keep our drinking water clean, protect our wildlife, parks and open space, and preserve our family farms and precious resources.”

Heath thanked Senators Richard Alloway (R-York) and Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) for sponsoring the Clean Water Counts Month resolution, which passed unanimously. The House unanimously passed a similar resolution sponsored by Representative Stan Saylor (R-York) last week.

“We need to do all we can to improve the health and condition of our rivers and streams in Pennsylvania,” said Alloway. “Clean water provides for greater health, stronger communities and thriving economies within our region.”

McIlhinney said: “Clean water must be a priority for Pennsylvania. Our ability to attract growing businesses and to provide a healthy environment for our residents depends on it.”

Pennsylvania has approximately 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that do not meet basic water quality standards. In other words, nearly one quarter of the creeks, rivers, and lakes that Pennsylvanians rely on for recreation, and for drinking and household uses, are polluted.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation launched the statewide Clean Water Counts campaign in 2014 calling on the Commonwealth to prioritize funding and increase investments for clean water.

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is calling on Pennsylvania officials to make clean water a priority, to commit the needed resources, and to ensure that all our 86,000 miles of waterways are clean,” said Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a member of the Growing Greener Coalition. “We are thankful to the Senate for designating the month of May as Clean Water Counts month and look forward to their continued support.”

Sixteen Pennsylvania counties have adopted resolutions supporting the Clean Water Counts campaign and calling on state officials to make clean water a priority for the Commonwealth. Those 16 counties are: Berks, Cumberland, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Luzerne, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Somerset, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.

The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition has urged the General Assembly and the Wolf Administration to pass legislation to fund a Growing Greener III program to address the pressing needs of the Commonwealth, including the need to keep drinking water clean, protect parks and open spaces, and preserve family farms.

Coalition Thanks House for Designating May “Clean Water Counts” Month

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition thanks House for designating
May Clean Water Counts Month

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2016

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, thanked members of the House for designating the month of May as Clean Water Counts Month.

“We are grateful to House members for highlighting the importance of clean water and the need to protect water quality,” said Andrew Health, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “The state’s Growing Greener program funds important investments in keeping our drinking water clean, and we look forward to working with lawmakers to renew funding for Growing Greener to ensure these investments continue for future generations.”

Heath thanked Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) for sponsoring the Clean Water Counts Month resolution, which passed unanimously.

“As stated in the Pennsylvania Constitution, the people have a basic right to clean water,” Saylor said. “I am happy to support the Clean Water Counts campaign to raise awareness about improving water quality in the Commonwealth.”

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation launched the statewide Clean Water Counts campaign in 2014 calling on the Commonwealth to prioritize funding and increase investments for clean water.

“Healthy families, strong communities, and a thriving Pennsylvania economy depend on clean water,” said Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a member of the Growing Greener Coalition. “We applaud and thank the House for publicly voicing their support for clean water in the Keystone State.”

Pennsylvania has over 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that do not meet basic water quality standards. In other words, nearly one quarter of the creeks, rivers, and lakes that Pennsylvanians rely on for recreation, and for drinking and household uses, are polluted.

Sixteen Pennsylvania counties have adopted resolutions supporting the Clean Water Counts campaign and calling on state officials to make clean water a priority for the Commonwealth. Those 16 counties are: Berks, Cumberland, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Luzerne, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Somerset, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.

The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition has urged the General Assembly and the Wolf Administration to pass legislation to fund a Growing Greener III program to keep drinking water clean, protect parks and open spaces, and preserve family farms.

 

 

Coalition Thanks House for Unanimously Passing Heritage Areas Bill

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Thanks House for
Unanimously Passing Heritage Areas Bill

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today thanked House members for unanimously passing legislation (HB1605) that formally establishes a Heritage Area Program to identify, protect, enhance and promote the historic, recreational, natural, cultural and scenic resources of the Commonwealth.

“We are pleased that the House recognizes the important economic and social benefits of Pennsylvania’s Heritage Areas,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “This legislation is critical to the future of the Heritage Areas, and we look forward to its passage in the Senate in the upcoming weeks.”

Heath thanked Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) especially for his leadership in introducing the bill and his commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s history and heritage.=

Heritage Areas are geographic regions or corridors that span two or more counties that contain historic, recreational, natural and scenic resources that collectively exemplify the heritage of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s 12 Heritage Areas are: Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Lackawanna Heritage Valley, Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, Lumber Heritage Region, National Road Heritage Corridor, Oil Region National Heritage Area, PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area, and Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area.

A recent study found that in 2014, tourists spent an estimated 7.5 million days/nights in Pennsylvania’s Heritage Areas, purchasing $2 billion worth of goods and services. This spending supported 25,708 jobs and generated $798 million in labor income and nearly $1.3 billion in value-added effects.

In addition, 70 percent of visitor spending and associated economic effects would be lost to these areas if heritage anchor attractions were not available, according to the study.

About the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition

The mission of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition 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.

Coalition Calls for Increased State Funding for Environment

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition calls on Wolf Administration, state lawmakers to boost funding for state environmental agencies

(HARRISBURG, PA) — The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today called on the Wolf Administration and state lawmakers to boost funding for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, citing concerns that inadequate technology and bare bones staffing levels are putting Pennsylvania’s environment at risk.

In addition, the Coalition urged the Governor and legislators to also provide adequate funding for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture to address Pennsylvania’s growing environmental needs.

“If we want to improve and protect the quality of our water and air, the state must stop short-changing environmental protection,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “Inadequate funding directly threatens the health of Pennsylvania’s land, air and water and consequently, our communities.”

As discussed in today’s Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, DEP simply cannot absorb further budget cuts without sacrificing the ability to enforce regulations that protect the Commonwealth’s environment, and in fact, the state should be putting more money – not less – toward programs that protect and preserve Pennsylvania’s open spaces, family farms, parks and trails, waterways and historic sites.

“With hundreds of acres of open space lost to development each day in Pennsylvania, we need to be doing more to protect our natural resources, not less,” said Heath. “As the Environmental Stewardship Fund continues to shrink, now is the time for lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to come together to advance a Growing Greener III initiative and continue Pennsylvania’s conservation, recreation, and preservation legacy.”

Funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund has decreased from an average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to approximately $60 million in 2014.

The Coalition also called for restoring funding for the state Department of Agriculture, which along with DEP, plays a critical role in ensuring Pennsylvania meets its commitments to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and urged the Wolf Administration to save DCNR’s Heritage Areas Program from being eliminated.

About the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition
The mission of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition 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.

 

Coalition Urges Enactment of a Severance Tax

For Immediate Release:  July 2, 2015

Growing Greener Coalition: Commonwealth Should Enact a Severance Tax on Natural Gas Extraction in Pennsylvania
Urges Increased Investments in Conservation, Recreation, and Preservation Funding

 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to recent discussions concerning the enactment of a severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania:

“Now that the deadline of June 30 has passed and Governor Wolf has opted to veto the state budget, the Coalition calls on the General Assembly and Administration to enact a fair and reasonable severance tax on natural gas extraction for generating additional state revenues to support various Commonwealth programs and initiatives, as well as investing in the state’s Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

“Using revenues from a severance tax to address Commonwealth needs, like education and environmental initiatives makes sense.  Given the impact of natural gas development on local communities and the environment, a portion of this revenue should be earmarked 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.

“The Governor’s proposed budget contains many elements our Coalition supports; including increasing investments in renewable energy, increased funding for state agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Protection, whose responsibility is to protect and enhance the environment, and reducing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources dependence on revenue from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund.

“Increasing investments to the Growing Greener program will ensure that these positive steps towards ensuring Pennsylvania’s air, water, land, wildlife, farmland, recreational opportunities, historic preservation, and heritage continue to prosper and grow for generations to come.”

Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Governor Tom Ridge and later expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell.  Since its establishment, Growing Greener has created a legacy of success, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to state parks and forests, restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands, and thousands of community recreation areas, trails, and greenways.

Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

Pennsylvania’s state parks, which are supported in part by Growing Greener funds, generate more than $928 million in local spending and support more than 12,000 local jobs.

In addition, Growing Greener has been a powerful funding source for Pennsylvania’s Heritage Areas. Spending by visitors to these areas generates more than $400 million in sales and contributes at least 6,000 jobs to the Pennsylvania economy.

Other examples of how Growing Greener benefits the economy include:

  • Supporting Agriculture – By funding farmland preservation projects, Growing Greener helps sustain Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. Agriculture produces more than $45 billion annually and provides about one in seven jobs in the state, making it Pennsylvania’s leading industry.
  • Increasing Property Values – In Southeastern Pennsylvania alone, preserved open space, which is often supported with Growing Greener funds, increases homeowners’ property values by an average of $10,000 per household.
  • Reducing Costs – Growing Greener has funded the clean up of more than 16,000 acres of abandoned mines and in doing so has reduced water treatment costs locally and in downstream communities. Studies show that open space saves local governments and utilities millions of dollars in costs associated with drinking water filtration, air pollution removal and flood control.
  • Supporting Forest Products Industry – Growing Greener funds support forest conservation, which in turn helps sustain the resources on which the forest industry depends. This industry has sales in excess of $16 billion annually, a total impact of $27 billion and employs more than 80,000 people.
  • Bolstering Tourism Industry – Growing Greener funds have preserved more than 42,300 acres of natural areas and open spaces, many of which provide outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Outdoor enthusiasts spend more than $5.4 billion in the Commonwealth annually.

Coalition Expresses Optimism Over Governor’s Budget

For Immediate Release: March 3, 2015 

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Expresses Optimism
Over Governor’s Proposed Budget
Organization Calls for Restoration of Heritage Areas Program Funding 

(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 Tom Wolf’s 2015-16 budget proposal:

“The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition is grateful that the Governor recognizes the importance of maintaining the state programs that protect and restore our drinking water, preserve our farms and open spaces, and provide recreational opportunities.

“We appreciate that the Governor’s proposed budget leaves intact, and in many cases increases, funding for critical investments such as the state’s award winning Growing Greener program, the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund, and Historic and Agriculture Preservation.

“The Governor also made strong positive steps forward in regards to increasing funding for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), while beginning to rollback DCNR’s dependency on Oil and Gas Lease Fund revenues for operational expenses.

“However, the Coalition has grave concerns about the elimination of funding for the Heritage Areas Program, which has successfully conserved and enhanced the state’s natural resources and promoted tourism development for nearly 25 years.

“There is strong public support for this important program, as demonstrated by the Legislature’s reauthorization of funding for it last year. The Coalition looks forward to working with the Wolf Administration and members of the House and Senate to restore this important funding.”

Coalition Responds to Governor’s Severance Tax Proposal

For Immediate Release:  February 13, 2015

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Issues Statement Concerning Recently Announced Severance Tax Proposals

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today reiterated its case for why environmental funding must be contained in any severance tax package passed by the Commonwealth.

Andrew Heath, executive director for the Coalition, issued the following statement;

“Since the Coalition first came into existence in 2008, our position concerning a severance tax on natural gas extraction has been consistent – it must include conservation, restoration, and preservation funding for programs such as the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. This position stems from the fact that when natural resources are used and/or degraded in one region of the Commonwealth, there must be a reinvestment in resources in another.

“On Wednesday, the Governor announced his plans to enact a 5 percent drilling tax plus a fee on gas production. These taxes would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Commonwealth each year. The Coalition urges the Administration and General Assembly to reinvest a portion of these revenues for conservation, recreation, and preservation programs.

“The impacts of drilling in Pennsylvania are evident throughout the Commonwealth. Our parks, forests, scenic and cultural areas, and waterways are at risk of being disturbed and degraded. Funding through a severance tax is essential to addressing these issues and is a step in the right direction to increasing funds available for the Growing Greener and other environmental programs.”

Coalition Celebrates Announcement of DEP Growing Greener Grants

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2015

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Celebrates Announcement of Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Grants

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition — the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth — today celebrated the approval of more than $23 million in Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Funds through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to support 109 watershed protection efforts throughout the state.

“These grants will have a lasting impact on the state by supporting vital projects that protect the Commonwealth’s most precious resource – water,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition.

The Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF) derives its revenue from the state’s “tipping fee,” the cost disposing trash in the Commonwealth. Each year the fee generates about $60 million for the ESF fund, but due to legislation passed with the Growing Greener II program in 2005, about $40 million of that revenue is used to pay the yearly Growing Greener II bond debt service.

On the other hand, Act 13, the impact fees on natural gas drilling, generates new funds for the ESF. Revenues from 10 percent of the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, along with a $35 million yearly transfer from the state’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund, help to ensure that water protection, conservation and recreation efforts continue across the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition was instrumental in ensuring that funds collected through the Marcellus Legacy Fund be made available for statewide environmental, conservation, and recreation projects.

The recently announced DEP grants will be used to protect our water resources by improving watersheds, reducing stormwater runoff and acid mine drainage, and supporting public outreach efforts.

A recent report issued by the DEP stated that Pennsylvania has nearly 20,000 miles of waterways that are considered impaired.

“This is more evidence that cleaning our rivers and streams must be a higher priority to our elected officials in Harrisburg,” Heath said. “More investments are needed to address this growing concern.”

Coalition Applauds Governor-elect Wolf’s Selection of Agency Leaders

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2015

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Applauds Governor-elect
Wolf’s Selection of Agency Leaders

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition — the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth — today applauded Governor-elect Tom Wolf’s choices for the leadership jobs in the state’s environmental, conservation, and agriculture agencies. Governor-elect Wolf recently announced the appointments of Cindy Dunn to head the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Russell Redding to lead the Department of Agriculture, and John Quigley to head the Department of Environmental Protection.

“These are excellent selections,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition. “With decades of experience collectively, these three individuals will apply their experience and skills to the challenges facing the Commonwealth over the next four years. The Coalition looks forward to working with these state agency leaders in tackling the challenges head on.”

On January 20th, Tom Wolf will be inaugurated as the 47th governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Numerous celebratory events are scheduled throughout the day across Central Pennsylvania.

“This is a time to honor the service of Governor Tom Corbett and to respect the transition to new leadership under Governor-elect Wolf,” Heath said. “As we celebrate our democratic system and pass the baton from one leader to another, this day deserves to be respected and honored.

“The next four years will be critical to the future of the Commonwealth and the Coalition looks forward to working with the Wolf Administration on addressing the conservation, recreation, and preservation funding needs facing the state. There is much work to be done, and the Coalition is prepared to get started on day one.”

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: 10th County Passes Resolution

January 8, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact John Surrick (443) 482-2045

 

 

CLEAN WATER COUNTS! IN WASHINGTON COUNTY:
APPLAUDS COMMISSIONERS FOR ADOPTING CLEAN WATER RESOLUTION
10th County Stands Up for Cleaner Water in the Keystone State

 

(HARRISBURG) – The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) applauds the Washington County Commissioners for adopting a Clean Water Counts resolution, calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Keystone State.

“Healthy families, strong communities, and a thriving Pennsylvania economy depend on clean water,” said Harry Campbell, CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director. “We applaud and thank the Washington County Commissioners for publicly standing up for clean water in the Keystone State. Having such an important region of the Commonwealth voice their support for this initiative is a testament to how important this issue is.”

CBF embarked on the Clean Water Counts campaign in response to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) most recent statewide surface waters assessment. The results show that of the 86,000 miles of waterways flowing through the Commonwealth, nearly 20,000 miles are polluted. DEP also reported that the top pollution sources are agricultural and urban/suburban runoff, and abandoned mine drainage.

More than 1400 miles of waterways flow through Washington County, but unfortunately more than 700 of those miles are polluted. Overall, urban and suburban runoff is the greatest source in the county, polluting nearly 200 miles. Other pollution sources in the County include agriculture, which accounts for 171 miles of polluted waterways, abandoned mine drainage, which pollutes 178 miles, and ‘other’ pollution sources impair 155 miles of local creeks and streams.

Through public education and engagement, CBF is hoping to increase awareness of water pollution issues, like those in Washington County and elsewhere in the Keystone State. The goal is to urge state officials to make clean water a priority and commit the needed funding and programs to ensure that the waters that we rely on for drinking and household uses, recreation, and to grow our food, all meet clean water standards.

To date, ten counties have decided to stand up for cleaner water in Pennsylvania. They include Berks, Cumberland, Fayette, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Westmoreland, Wyoming, York, and now Washington counties.

In addition to calling on local officials to pass resolutions, CBF is asking residents to show their support by signing the Clean Water Counts online petition. It takes only a few minutes, but signatures will go a long way toward demonstrating the importance of clean water to our elected officials.

To learn more about the campaign go to cbf.org/PAForCleanWater