Renew Growing Greener Coalition to Legislature: Corbett Funding Cuts to Environmental Programs Undermine Shale Legislation 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today urged the Legislature to reject cuts to environmental, conservation and recreation programs in the Governor’s proposed 2012-2013 budget.

“With Pennsylvania’s land, water and air facing significant threats and impacts due to Marcellus Shale development, we should be increasing, not decreasing, funding for the programs that protect these vital resources,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition.  “The funding contained in the Marcellus Shale legislation was meant to help address the environmental impacts of natural gas drilling, but there would actually be less funding available for these purposes if the Legislature approves the cuts to environmental, conservation and recreation programs proposed in the Governor’s budget.”

Under the proposed budget, the Corbett administration has recommended:

• Using more than $37.5 from the Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay for debt service, leaving just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, the lowest amount of funding in recent decades.

• Transferring $30 million from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the general fund, and permanently eliminating this popular and important conservation and recreation program. This is the largest cut in conservation funding in state history.

• Diverting $20.5 million in dedicated farmland preservation funding from the cigarette tax to the general fund for 2012 and beyond.

“These cuts undermine the progress made in the Marcellus Shale legislation to increase investments in these programs,” said Heath. “We are calling on our legislative champions who support Growing Greener to prevent this from happening.”

Together, these programs have supported thousands of park and trail projects throughout the Commonwealth, preserved thousands of acres of family farmland, conserved thousands of acres of threatened open space and protected hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. In addition, they have contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Commends Growing Greener Funding Within House Bill 1950 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath, commending the Growing Greener funding contained within House Bill 1950, which passed today.

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is pleased with the passage of House Bill 1950 due to the environmental funding and commends the leadership of the General Assembly, legislators, and the Governor for taking the first step toward renewing funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund and Growing Greener programs and projects.  “While this bill may not be perfect, it makes critical investments in stormwater management and programs to protect our drinking water, preserve farmland and open space, enhance our recreational opportunities, support our heritage areas, and stimulate our local and regional economies.”

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 107,000 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, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, over an 80 percent reduction.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, representing nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 140 government entities, including 32 counties, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org .

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Expresses Support for Environmental Funding in Marcellus Shale Proposal

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath, expressing support for the environmental funding outlined in the current Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal:

“At first glance, this proposal appears to be a good first step toward restoring funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund and supporting Growing Greener programs and projects that protect our drinking water, conserve our open space, enhance recreational opportunities and stimulate economic recovery across the Commonwealth.

“We commend the General Assembly and the Governor for recognizing the importance of Growing Greener, which has transformed Pennsylvania by empowering communities to preserve working farms and conserve special places, clean up rivers and streams, improve parks and trails, maintain our heritage areas, and revitalize cities and towns.

“Growing Greener and the state’s other environmental, conservation and recreation investments are critical to the long-term well being of our Commonwealth. The Coalition will remain vigilant to ensure that Pennsylvania continues to make these vital investments in its future.”

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 107,000 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, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, over an 80 percent reduction.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, representing nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 140 government entities, including 32 counties, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Adds Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lancaster Farmland Trust to Executive Committee 

(HARRISBURG, PA) Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition, today announced that the coalition has added LeeAnn Murray from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Karen Martynick from the Lancaster Farmland Trust to its executive committee.

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, consisting of nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state.

“LeeAnn and Karen, and their organizations, are strong environmental and conservation leaders in Pennsylvania,” said Larry Williamson, chairman of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “We look forward to their contributions to the executive committee as the Coalition continues to push for renewed funding to protect our drinking water, conserve our land and wildlife, enhance recreational opportunities and stimulate the economic recovery across the state.”

In addition to representatives from Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Renew Growing Greener Coalition executive committee comprises:

• Cynthia Carrow – Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• John Walliser – Pennsylvania Environmental Council
• Molly Morrison –Natural Lands Trust
• R. John Dawes – Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds

Other founding organizations of the coalition are:

• Phil Wallis - Audubon of Pennsylvania
• Mary Felley - GreenSpace Alliance
• Alan Chace - HeritagePA
• Dulcie Flaharty - Montgomery County Lands Trust
• Todd Baylson - Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
• Andy Loza – Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
• Marci Mowery - Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
• Kim Woodward - Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society
• Mike DiBerardinis - Philadelphia Department of Recreation
• Mindy Crawford - Preservation Pennsylvania
• Todd McNew - The Conservation Fund
• Ron Ramsey - The Nature Conservancy
• Tom Gilbert  - Trust for Public Land

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 107,000 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, capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, more than an 80 percent reduction.

To date, more than 140 government entities, including 109 municipalities, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

For more information about the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Support for Growing Greener Reaches Significant Milestone

Thirty-Five Counties – More Than Half the State – Call for Renewal of Critical Environmental Program 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that 35 counties – more than half the state – have passed resolutions calling for the renewal of the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, Pennsylvania’s primary source of funding to help local communities protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

Berks County today adopted a resolution in support of the Growing Greener initiative, marking a significant milestone in the efforts to save the critical program. In addition, Bedford County adopted a resolution this week.

“The Growing Greener program has made a tremendous impact in counties throughout the Commonwealth,” said Chairman of the Berks County Board of Commissioners Christian Leinbach. “In Berks County, the program has helped us enhance our heritage areas, conserve our open space and protect our water quality.  We could not achieve this without Growing Greener.”

In Bedford County, Growing Greener has contributed to improvements at the Saxton Borough and East Providence wastewater treatment plants and helped mitigate acid mine drainage in Broad Top Township.

“Bedford County has effectively leveraged Growing Greener funds to achieve tangible, lasting results for our residents,” said Kirt Morris, Chairman of the Bedford County Board of Commissioners.  “We cannot let this program die.”

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 107,000 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, capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, more than an 80 percent reduction.

“With more than half the counties in Pennsylvania calling for the renewal of Growing Greener, it is increasingly obvious that the legislature and Governor must take action,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition.  “The pending Marcellus Shale legislation provides an opportunity to create a long-term, sustainable source of revenue for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.  We cannot let this opportunity slip away.”

Specifically, the legislature is considering a provision that allocates 25 percent of the revenues from existing leases for oil and gas drilling on state forests to the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition stands firm in its support for the allocation of 25 percent of the existing revenues from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to Growing Greener,” Heath said. “This is a smart solution that is consistent with the original intent of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund Act.”

The Coalition also supports allocating a significant portion of an impact fee to Growing Greener and encourages the Commonwealth to restore Growing Greener tipping fees to their original purpose of funding Growing Greener projects instead of paying bond debt expenses.

In addition to Berks and Bedford, the following counties have adopted resolutions in support of Growing Greener: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Huntington, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Philadelphia, Pike, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Washington, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York.

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, consisting of nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state.

More than 150 government entities, including 109 municipalities, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations consisting of nearly 350 organizations and government entities.  For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Renew Growing Greener Coalition to Legislature: Make Marcellus Shale Package That Funds Growing Greener Agenda Number One

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today welcomed legislators back into session and called upon them to restore Growing Greener funding by making the passage of meaningful Marcellus Shale legislation their top legislative priority.

“Now is the time to get down to business,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Our state and our environment can ill afford any further delays in the passage of a Marcellus Shale package that restores funding to help local communities across the state protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.”

“The Coalition is firmly united in its support for the passage of a provision that allocates 25 percent of the revenues from leases for oil and gas drilling on state forests to the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund,” Heath continued. “Any final Marcellus Shale measure must contain this provision, which is consistent with the original intent of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund Act.”

The Oil and Gas Lease Fund was established in 1955 by legislation to reinvest revenues from the extraction of nonrenewable oil and gas resources from state lands back into conservation and recreation programs benefiting all Pennsylvanians. The Oil and Gas Lease Fund Act states that the “Fund shall be exclusively used for conservation, recreation, dams, or flood control or to match any federal grants which may be used for any of the aforementioned purposes.”

Money from the fund comes from the rents and royalties from oil and gas leasing and drilling on state parks and forest lands.

“Natural gas drilling in state forests and parks is already putting at risk our scenic and recreational resources and impacting wildlife habitat,” Heath stated.  “Add to that the risks to water and air quality and it becomes clear why a substantial portion of the revenue from drilling leases on state lands should be directed to the Environmental Stewardship Fund.”

At present, The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is the primary benefactor and administrator of the fund. As such, funds have been used – up until 2009 – primarily to help DCNR acquire additional state parks and forestlands and to address the infrastructure needs in these areas. More recently, the fund has also been used to supplement DCNR’s operating expenses and to help defray cuts to their operating budgets for state parks and forests.

“Revenue projections indicate that there is ample funding to support both the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund and DCNR,” Heath said. “It is not a choice of either/or. We can do both with the revenue from existing leases. The Coalition does not support the leasing of any additional state parks and forest lands.”

In addition, Heath noted that to satisfy short-term needs, the Coalition supports allocating a significant portion of an impact fee to Growing Greener and encourages the Commonwealth to restore Growing Greener tipping fees to their original purpose of funding Growing Greener projects instead of paying bond debt expenses.

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 107,000 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, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, over an 80 percent reduction.

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, consisting of nearly 350 organizations and government entities from across the state.

More than 140 government entities, including 33 counties, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling for a dedicated source of funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations consisting of nearly 350 organizations and government entities.  For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Eight More Organizations Join Coalition in Calling for Growing Greener Funding

 (HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that eight more organizations have joined in supporting the effort to restore state funding for Growing Greener.

The Tulpehocken Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Bike Pittsburgh, and the Rail Trail Council of Northeastern PA have signed the Coalition’s Statement of Support, which calls for the establishment of a dedicated and sustainable source of revenue to support the renewal of Growing Greener.

In addition, Beaver County as well as Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, Lower Saucon Township in Northampton County, Bucks County Recreation Council and the Centre Regional Recreation Authority all have adopted resolutions in support of the program.

With these, more than 140 government entities, including 32 counties, representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions calling on the Governor and legislature to restore and increase funding for Growing Greener.

“As our state leaders continue to work on legislation to address natural gas drilling, it is clear that there is widespread support for funding Growing Greener,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition.  “We support the provision to dedicate 25 percent of the revenues from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to Growing Greener and also encourage our lawmakers to ensure that a portion of any impact fee be allocated to help offset the statewide environmental impacts that drilling could have on our water, air and land.”

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 107,000 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, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, over an 80 percent reduction.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing nearly 350 organizations and government entities.  For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Applauds Elk County for Resolution Calling for Renewal of State Funding to Protect Environment 

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today applauded Elk County for passing a resolution calling for the renewal of Growing Greener, the state’s primary source of funding to help local communities protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

“The Coalition commends the Elk County Commissioners for recognizing the significant contributions Growing Greener has made to the community from protecting drinking water to protecting open space,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “It is the Coalition’s sincere hope that the legislature – as it debates funding for the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund – realizes that public support for the program continues to grow.”

At least 140 government entities including 31 counties – representing more than 7.5 million Pennsylvanians – have adopted resolutions in support of the program.

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 107,000 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, capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, more than an 80 percent reduction.

“Elk County has benefited tremendously from investments supported by Growing Greener,” said County Commissioner Dan Freeburg. “If the Environmental Stewardship Fund is depleted, we will have a much harder time completing projects that are important to maintaining the quality of life in Elk County.”

Among other accomplishments, Growing Greener has benefited Elk County by:

• Investing $5.5 million in reclaiming nearly 280 acres of abandoned mine lands in Gray Hill, Kersey, Caledonia Northwest, Dents Run and Porcupine Hollow.

• Plugging 108 abandoned wells in Jones and Benezette townships.

• Restoring water quality within Big Mill Creek with the remediation acid deposition.

• Protecting drinking water with more than $1 million in investments to wastewater treatment facilities.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing over 300 organizations and government entities.  For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Response to HB1950 and Associated Amendments

 (HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to House Bill 1950 and its associated amendments:

“As the House debates the finer points of House Bill 1950, the Renew Growing Greener Coalition is encouraged by the provision that dedicates 25 percent of the revenues from the Oil and Gas Lease fund to partially replenish the Environmental Stewardship Fund.

“We also recognize and appreciate the inclusion of money for the Environmental Stewardship Fund in amendments proposed by Reps. DiGirolamo, George, Hanna and Quinn. However, we urge the House to pass a final measure that matches or exceeds the funding levels that are contained in the original bill.”

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 107,000 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, capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget, more than an 80 percent reduction.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing more than 350 organizations and government entities.  For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.

]]> http://renewgrowinggreener.org/response-to-hb1950-and-associated-amendments/feed/ 0 http://renewgrowinggreener.org/local-support-continues-to-grow/ http://renewgrowinggreener.org/local-support-continues-to-grow/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:14:52 +0000 andrew http://renewgrowinggreener.org/?p=718 For Immediate Release:  November 11, 2011 

Local Support for Growing Greener Continues to Spread Across Commonwealth
Municipal, County Governments Urge Legislature to Restore Funding for Key Environmental Program

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that 11 more municipalities, counties and organizations this week have formally voiced support for restoring Growing Greener, the state’s primary source of funding to help local communities protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.

At least 140 government entities including 30 counties – representing more than seven million Pennsylvanians – have adopted resolutions in support of the program, with the following municipalities joining the list of supporters this week:

• Cooke Township, Cumberland County
• Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County
• Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County
• Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County
• Plymouth Township, Montgomery County
• Norriton Township, Montgomery County
• Towamencin Township, Montgomery County
• Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County

In addition, the Dauphin County Commissioners also adopted a resolution supporting Growing Greener.

“In Dauphin County, we have preserved more than 13,000 acres of farmland thanks to the Growing Greener program,” said Jeff Haste, chairman of the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners. “Continuing this program will help counties continue to preserve green, open space and farmland for future generations.”

The Allegheny County Conservation District and the Stanley Cooper, Sr. Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Kingston, Luzerne County signed statements of support.

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 103,000 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, capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

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

Yet despite the program’s accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget.  This is more than an 80 percent reduction.

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing nearly 400 organizations and government entities.  For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.