Press Release: New York State, August 03, 1999

New York State's 1999-2000 Budget includes more than $1.2 billion for environmental and public recreation programs, a 15.6 percent increase the largest-ever commitment of funds to protect and improve New York's natural resources and parks.

"In the last four years, we have taken bold steps to protect and restore New York's air, water and land and to expand the public's ability to enjoy our great outdoors," Govern or Pataki said. "We are improving the air quality, preserving thousands of acres of valuable open space, expanding recreational opportunities, restoring long-neglected lakes and rivers, protecting drinking water supplies and cleaning up contaminated properties.

"New York has restored its spirit of conservation and renewed its environmental ethic begun 100 years ago by Teddy Roosevelt," the Governor said. "But the job of environmental protection and renewal is never done. We must continue to invest aggressively in our environment and parks to safeguard the health of citizens, ensure the productivity of our natural world and improve New Yorkers' quality of life." The 1999-2000 Budget builds upon the successes of the last four years that have made New York the national leader in environmental protection, parks improvements and natural resource conservation. For example, the Budget includes $50 million for protection of Long Island Sound, $16 million for restoration of the Hudson River and $20 million for cleanup of Onondaga Lake all unprecedented amounts. It targets $74 million for conservation of open space, $2 1 million in new funding for development of Hudson River Park in Manhattan and $12 million for "stewardship" of State lands and facilities.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner John P. Cahill said, "Governor Pataki's commitment to the environment is unparalleled. The support this Budget provides for our natural resources will further secure New York's role as a national leader among the states in environmental protection." The Budget again reflects full funding at $125 million in new funds for the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which ports open space preservation, his toric preservation, waterfront redevelopment, recycling, landfill closures and state and municipal parks. Funding for the EPF has increased five-fold during Governor Pataki's tenure. In addition, the Budget includes $34.5 million from remaining 199 8-99 EPF revenues for the Hudson River Estuary, waterfront revitalization, parks and historic preservation and other important projects. The Budget also includes $307 million in new appropriations from the $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, which was passed by voters in 1996 and provides funding for a variety of environmental projects. With the Hudson River a focus of the Governor's environmental agenda the Budget supports that agenda by including $12 million from the EPF and $4 million from the Bond Act for projects identified in the Hudson River Estuary Management Plan, which is a blue print for the restoration of the estuary. "The Hudson River New York's American Heritage River needs these funds to help continue its remarkable renaissance," the Governor said. "The Hudson River holds a unique place in New York's history and its future. This Budget reflects a significant and needed commitment to the river and the communities along its banks." In addition, nine new positions are added at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to support the State's Natural Resources Damages action involving the Hudson River and $1.3 million is committed from the EPF for research and other capital costs associated with that action. State and Federal agencies are assessing environmental damages to the river to determine whether to file a claim for damages against those who have released hazardous substances into the river. New York will continue to lead the nation in open space conservation under the Governor's leadership.

The Budget includes $74 million for this purpose, including $34 mill ion from the EPF and $40 million from the Bond Act. Among the priority conservation projects for 1999-2000 are Benton Bay on Long Island, Braddock Bay on Lake Ontario and various urban parks. The Budget also will help ensure that the State cares for its lands and parks by providing $12 million from the EPF to maintain and rebuild trails, campgrounds, fishing areas, recreational facilities, education camps and centers and to increase access to State lands and parks for persons with disabilities. "In just four years, we have protected nearly 250,000 acres of uniquely valuable land from the Pine Barrens on Long Island to Sterling Forest in Orange County to the Champion lands in the Adirondacks to Woodlawn Beach near Buffalo," the Governor said. "We must care for the natural resources of these new State lands and those we already own while ensuring that New Yorkers enjoy safe access to these sites. This is a need that cannot be deferred." Another $1 million will be provided through the budget of the Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to operate new parklands, including Rockwood Hall in Westchester County, Sterling Forest in Orange County and Wonder Lake in Putnam County. The Budget also includes $1.6 million for DEC to conduct a training academy for 33 new Environmental Conservation Officers and 17 Forest Rangers, who act as stewards for State lands and natural resources. The Bond Act appropriations will include more than $100 million for water quality improvement projects and $50 million to continue New York's national leadership in protecting community drinking water supplies. Since the Bond Act was passed by voters in 1996, the State has committed $6 30 million in Bond Act funds to worthy environmental projects across the state, meaning the State is well on its way to meeting Governor Pataki's pledge to commit $1 billion of Bond Act funds in the first five years. "The Bond Act has been a resounding environmental success," Governor Pataki said. "We are joining with local communities to invest these funds wisely in projects that will protect and restore our environment, expand parks and safeguard our drinking water."

Other proposed Bond Act appropriations will include: $10 million each for municipal and State park improvements; $14 million for solid waste projects; $10 million for cleanup of contaminated properties or "brownfields;" and $37 million for air quality improvement projects such as clean-fuel buses and ridding schools of antiquated coal-fired furnaces. Other environmental and parks appropriations in the 1999-2000 Budget include: $40.8 million to support the State's effort to control pollution from automobiles, heavy-duty vehicles and industrial sources of air pollution. Increased fees on industrial air pollution emissions will support the State's efforts to reduce pollution from these sources; $34.2 million for the oil spill prevention and cleanup program. Fees are increased to ensure that adequate resources are available for cleanup efforts; and $30 million from the State Parks Infrastructure Fund which uses parks revenue to maintain, improve and rehabilitate park facilities including $2.5 million for improvements to Jones Beach on Long Island.