Please call your state senator and representative and urge them to greatly boost the state’s investments in protecting water, conserving land, and improving communities (find your legislator here):
- The Governor calls for substantial conservation investments in his Restore PA proposal (which addresses a variety of infrastructure projects). Ask your legislators to support Restore PA’s conservation investments. Also, post on social media by tagging your legislators and using the hashtag #RestorePA. Here is a set of social media graphics highlighting the need for boosted investments in protecting water, conserving land, and improving communities.
- In addition, ask your legislators to leave the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and the Environmental Stewardship Fund untouched in this year’s budget. Pennsylvania can’t afford to backslide in its community and conservation investments.
Read the Growing Greener Coalition’s letter to members of the General Assembly and Governor Wolf on this subject.
Learn more about threats to the Keystone Fund and Environmental Stewardship Fund.
Summary of Restore PA’s Conservation and Environmental Components
Governor Wolf’s Restore Pennsylvania proposal includes funding for:
- Green stormwater infrastructure that reduces flooding and keeps dangerous pollutants out of waterways (e.g., rain gardens, street trees, and bioswales).
- Stream and floodplain restoration projects that improve wildlife habitat while preventing erosion and downstream floods.
- Infrastructure that protects communities from rising floodwaters (e.g., dams, levees, and flood walls).
- Creative solutions to help municipalities move forward with pollution-reduction plans to meet stormwater mandates and protect homes and businesses from destructive flooding.
- Remediation of abandoned mines that scar the landscape and pollute waterways.
- Conservation of areas that supply drinking water for communities, reduce flooding by absorbing massive amounts of stormwater, and provide other benefits to communities.
- Preservation of farmland that provides the food we eat and is the backbone of rural economies.
- Crucial infrastructure in state parks and forests (e.g., roads, dams, and bridges), which host millions of visitors each year and support local economies.
- Trails and parks that help communities thrive.
- Cleanup of brownfields and blighted properties, which can transform from unused and dangerous spaces into hubs for community revitalization and economic growth.
- Removal of lead and other toxic contaminants (e.g., found in paint on old homes or water pipes) that threaten public health.
- Public transportation systems that increase mobility and access to opportunities while also reducing carbon emissions.
Click here for a more detailed summary of Restore PA and other resources.
