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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 15, 2021 09:22 AM
From:	Senator John R. Gordner and Sen. Bob Mensch
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Growing Greener III

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that establishes the framework for a Growing Greener III program 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. This legislation is essentially the enabling legislation for Growing Greener III.  It would provide the necessary authority for administrative agencies to fund many of the various projects and program needs identified since the conclusion of Growing Greener II. Since its inception 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. Funding will come from an infusion of $500 million appropriated from the recently adopted federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Our goal is to establish a Growing Greener III framework that would ensure the program’s impact for many years to come. Investing in our natural resources strengthens our local, regional and state economics and supports thousands upon thousands of jobs, including those associated with two of Pennsylvania’s top industries, agriculture and tourism: 1 in 7 Pennsylvania jobs are related to agriculture; Recreation accounts for $6.4 billion of tourism spending; For every $1 invested in our State Parks, $12 is generated in economic benefits for the surrounding community; and Every 10 percent increase in tree cover reduces water treatment costs by 20 percent. 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.

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