Posted: | September 19, 2016 11:00 AM |
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From: | Senator Thomas H. Killion |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Growing Greener III Program |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that represents a Growing Greener III proposal that will provide $315 million in annual investments for environmental conservation, recreation, and preservation projects across the Commonwealth. The proposed legislation represents the needs identified through an analysis compiled by the Growing Greener Coalition and its member organizations. It is my hope that you will join myself, Senator Alloway and Senator McIlhinney in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. Since its inception in 1999, Pennsylvania’s nationally recognized Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects; conserved more than 50,000 acres of threatened open space; protected more than 33,500 acres of family farmland; repaired more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land; and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. Even with this comprehensive history of success, there is still much more work that needs to be done. Funding for the program, has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to $57 million this year, a 75 percent reduction. Our goal is to establish a Growing Greener III framework that the Governor and Legislature can embrace to renew this critical program and ensure its continued vitality long into the future. This legislation represents the first step in the process – identifying the need and establishing the commitment to support these critical environmental and quality of life projects. Identifying sustainable funding sources will be the next step of the process that will be achieved through other future legislative proposals. This legislation will go a long way to help us protect Pennsylvania’s water, land and other natural resources while maintaining our commitment to future generations. Please join us in supporting this important legislation. |
Introduced as SB1374