Environment DEC
From the February 2005 issue
Governor Proposes Budget Increases for Environmental Protection Fund
Governor George E. Pataki proposed increasing funding for New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to a record $150 million-a 20 percent increase over last year and a six-fold increase since 1995. The Executive Budget builds on the Governor's historic commitment to the state's environment by providing more than $1.4 billion in environmental spending.
"Over the past decade, we have made dramatic investments in critically important environmental initiatives across the state that have made New York a clear national leader in protecting the environment," Governor Pataki said.
Governor Pataki proposes
increasing the state's
investment in environmental
initiatives
"From providing record support for our natural resources, to encouraging energy conservation, to increasing protection of critical wetlands, my budget will take important steps to ensure that our state's cherished natural resources are preserved for future generations of New Yorkers to enjoy," the Governor added.
Environmental Protection Fund
Created in 1993, the EPF provides the mechanism for funding open space conservation and other environmental priorities. When the Governor first took office in 1995, the EPF was funded at just $25 million annually.
The Governor's budget includes a new $5 million grant program, funded through the EPF, which would support local land use planning and projects consistent with the principles of quality communities.
The 2005-06 Executive Budget also includes full funding for the Superfund/Brownfields programs, including $120 million to clean up polluted sites and $15 million to support brownfield remediation and redevelopment.
In addition, the budget advances $1 million in new funding and would create seven new full-time positions to ensure that fragile wetlands across the state are protected. Governor Pataki also will introduce legislation that authorizes local governments to establish locally funded land conservation programs.
Governor's Environmental Legacy
Since 1995, the Governor has invested more than $13 billion to protect and preserve New York State's environment. Annual funding for environmental programs now totals more than $1.4 billion.
Under Governor Pataki's leadership, New York has preserved more than 900,000 acres of open space across the state-an amount of land greater than the entire state of Rhode Island-and is on track to achieve his goal of preserving one million acres during a ten-year period.
