For Immediate Release: May 11, 2012

Group Rallies to Save Pennsylvania Farms

(Lancaster, PA) Conservation groups concerned about the Governor’s proposed budget cuts to farmland preservation have pulled together to form the Coalition to Save Farms. Members of the group include Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Renew Growing Greener Coalition, Pennsylvania Association of Land Trusts, Brandywine Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Association.

Pennsylvania’s award winning farmland preservation program is funded through a dedicated tax on the sale of cigarettes. The Governor wants to permanently redirect this funding to the general fund. With no source of funds to replace the cigarette tax, the program will not survive. For more than 20 years, the Commonwealth has made an investment in protecting the land that grows our food, supports our economy, and provides jobs for our citizens.

As a result of this commitment from the state, county, and private individuals, Lancaster County leads the nation in farmland preservation with 92,000 acres of the most productive farmland in the country protected for future generations. “The Governor’s plan to transfer the cigarette tax revenue to the general fund is short sited,” said Karen Martynick, Executive Director of Lancaster Farmland

Trust. “Farmland preservation is a long-term investment in our state and county’s economic well-being that must not be traded to balance the budget for the short term.”

The Coalition to Save Farms provides a way for conservation groups to work together to save Pennsylvania’s farms, the agricultural economy and our treasured heritage. “Lancaster County and Pennsylvania need your support for farmland preservation and your help in letting legislators know how important this issue is to our economic well-being and cultural heritage,” Martynick continued. “Please join the Coalition to Save Farms and protect our farms today before it is too late.” For more information, please contact Karen Martynick at kmartynick@lancasterfarmlandtrust.org.

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Renew Growing Greener Coalition Calls on Legislature to Celebrate Earth Day by Rescuing Programs for Parks, Farms and Open Space from Budget Cuts

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and historic preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today called on the Legislature to celebrate Earth Day by rescuing programs that benefit Pennsylvania’s parks, farms and open space from budget cuts.

“There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by saving the programs that protect our land, air and water right here in Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “The legislature should reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to these programs and make long-term, meaningful investments in our parks, farms and open space that ensure they will be around for many more Earth Days to come.”

Under the current state budget proposal, the Corbett administration has recommended:

• 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 the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund. This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.

• Continuing the flawed practice of using the Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service, leaving just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, the lowest amount of funding in recent decades.

Together, the Keystone, Growing Greener and Farmland Preservation 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.

“Keystone Fund grants to communities protect our most important open spaces.  As land continues to be developed, the parks, greenways, trails and wildlife habitats protected by Keystone become all the more essential to our quality of life,” said Andy Loza, executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. “Keystone creates lasting public assets.  We cannot afford to lose it.”

Pennsylvania’s land, air and water is facing significant challenges that must be addressed, including:

• A $400 million list of major maintenance projects at state parks and forests.

• More than 2,000 family farms waiting to be preserved.

• More than 16,000 miles of polluted streams that are unfit for swimming or fishing.

“Without funding to preserve our family farms, we risk losing locally produced food and the dollars it generates for our economy,” said Karen Martynick, executive director of Lancaster Farmland Trust. “These losses will have long-term consequences for communities across the Commonwealth.”

Earlier this month, the Renew Growing Greener Coalition announced the launch of a petition drive to urge the General Assembly to reject Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to, and elimination of, essential conservation and recreation programs in the Commonwealth. The petition generated more than 5,000 signatures on the first day of its launch.

“Our Legislature needs to rescue these programs from the chopping block,” said Kim Woodward, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. “As we celebrate Earth Day, we encourage Pennsylvanians to tell our lawmakers to save our parks so our children and grandchildren have places to play.”

The “Stop the Cuts” petition may be viewed and signed by visiting

petitionbuzz.com/petitions/2012budget

About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and historic preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, representing more than 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, representing more than eight 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.

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Renew Growing Greener Coalition Announces Launch of Online Petition Drive to “Stop the Cuts” to Conservation and Recreation Funding 

More Than 5,000 Signatures Collected in Single Day

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today announced the launch of an online petition drive aimed at stopping cuts to conservation and recreation funding.

More than 5,000 people signed the petition on the first day of its launch, urging the General Assembly to reject Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to, and elimination of, essential conservation and recreation programs in the Commonwealth.

“Pennsylvanians are sending a message to Harrisburg that they want their legislators to protect the Commonwealth’s land, water, communities and future,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Our state is facing significant challenges that must be addressed. We have a $400 million backlog of major maintenance projects at our state parks, more than 2,000 family farms waiting to be preserved and more than 16,000 miles of polluted streams that are unfit form swimming or fishing.  Because of these and many additional threats, the Commonwealth should be increasing, not decreasing funding.”

Under the current state budget proposal, the Corbett administration has recommended:

• 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 the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund. This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.

• Continuing the flawed practice of using the Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service, leaving just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, the lowest amount of funding in recent decades.

“If the Keystone Fund is eliminated, it will be the biggest cut in conservation-recreation funding in Pennsylvania history,” said Kim Woodward, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. “We need to let our legislators know that this is a mistake and that Pennsylvanians value their parks, trails and open space.”

Andy Loza, executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, said:

“The Keystone Fund creates real and lasting assets.  A hundred years from now, our great grandchildren will still be enjoying the parks, greenways, trails and other open spaces created and protected by Keystone.”

Together, the Keystone, Growing Greener and Farmland Preservation 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.

“One in seven jobs in Pennsylvania are related to agriculture,” said Karen Martynick, executive director of Lancaster Farmland Trust.  “At a time when we need to do all we can to help our economy, cutting funding to help preserve the state’s leading industry is counterproductive.”

The “Stop the Cuts” petition may be viewed and signed by visiting: petitionbuzz.com/petitions/2012budget

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 more than 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, representing more than eight 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.

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Schuylkill County Calls for Renewal of Growing Greener

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today announced

that Schuylkill County has passed a resolution calling for the renewal of the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Schuylkill County is the 37th county to  adopt a resolution in support of Growing Greener (Click of Map). In addition, at least 115 municipalities have also passed resolutions in favor of the program.

“Funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund is at its lowest point in history,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. “Counties throughout the state realize that without this program they will be hard-pressed to make critical investments in keeping our drinking water clean, protecting our land, and ensuring our children and families have parks and green open spaces where they can play.”

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 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, improving at least 234 community parks, plugging 2,100 abandoned wells and restoring over 1,600 acres of abandoned mine lands.

However, despite the success of the Growing Greener, the current budget proposal by Governor Corbett reduces funding to its lowest amount in the history of the program.

The proposed budget continues the flawed practice of using the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service.  This $37.5 million debt diversion will leave just $23 million available for Growing Greener programs and projects, including farmland preservation.

The residents of Schuylkill County have benefited tremendously from Growing Greener, especially in the area of tourism due, in large part, to the investments made in the county’s natural resources.

Among other accomplishments, Growing Greener has helped Schuylkill County:

• Reclaim more than 475 acres of abandoned mineland.
• Invest $1.7 million in abandoned mine drainage projects.
• Preserve more than 2,500 acres of family farmland.
• Acquire more than 150 acres of land along Hawk Mountain Road and the Little Schuylkill River to protect important bird habitat.
• Support the reclamation of Sharp Mountain in Pottsville, which was extensively deep mined through the early 1900s.
• Support efforts to develop a multi-municipal greenway and trail system for the lower Anthracite Region in Columbia, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties.

In addition to the diversion of Growing Greener funds, Governor Corbett’s proposed budget also diverts $30 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the general fund, and permanently eliminates this popular and important conservation and recreation program.  This is the largest cut in conservation funding in state history.

Moreover, the budget proposal also calls for the permanent diversion of the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund. This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.

“These diversions will set back the advances the Commonwealth has made in conservation funding by decades,” said Heath. “The Coalition urges the General Assembly to reject these cuts, which undermine any progress made in Act 13.”

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 more than 350 organizations and government entities from across the state. More than 150 government entities, including 37 counties, representing more than eight 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.

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Proposed Budget Cuts Cast Cloud Over Agriculture Week

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations in the Commonwealth, today said that proposed budget cuts to conservation funding are casting a cloud over Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Week.

“The Governor is encouraging all citizens to pay tribute to our farmers, but at the same time his administration recommends the future elimination of funding for farmland preservation, which helps support our agriculture industry,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition.  “We urge the legislature to restore funding for this and other conservation programs, otherwise these cuts will chip away at the cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy until it crumbles.”

Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s leading industry, generating $5.7 billion in cash receipts and an estimated $57 billion in economic impact. One in seven jobs are related to the state’s agriculture industry.

While Governor Corbett has declared this week as Agriculture Week, the proposed budget diverts the state’s cigarette sales tax from its historical purpose of funding farmland preservation to funding the general fund.  This is a permanent diversion that will eventually kill this critical program.  The proposed budget also recommends:

• Diverting $30 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ 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.

• Continuing the flawed practice of using the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay the Growing Greener II bond debt service.  This $37.5 million debt diversion will leave just $23 million – the lowest level in the history of the program – available for Growing Greener programs and projects, including farmland preservation.

“These recommendations undermine any progress made in the Marcellus Shale legislation, Act 13, to renew the nearly bankrupt Growing Greener program,” said Heath, “and is not a green light for gutting other existing conservation, recreation and environmental funding.”

Together, these conservation 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.

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 36 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 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.