Advocacy Agenda – 2011

STATE PARKS - protect and revitalize parks for future generations

KEEP ALL STATE PARKS OPEN
While the Governor and members of the legislature have agreed that it is a priority to ensure that all parks and historic sites remain open, these proposed cuts will mean that there are significantly fewer resources dedicated to the operation, maintenance and infrastructure needs of New York’s 213 parks and historic sites.

We have to keep telling Albany to re-invest in our parks. Open, accessible and affordable parks should always be a priority. To continue to be well-maintained and inviting places, they must receive an appropriate level of funding to maintain an adequate level of service and address aging infrastructure.

State Parks provide residents and New York communities with multiple benefits.

  • According to State Parks officials, park attendance is at record levels - last year more than 57 million people visited New York State parks
  • Parks are economic engines for local communities – annually they generate $1.9 billion and 20,000 jobs (not including park staff). These revenues support tourism and small businesses.
  • The benefits State Parks provide New York far outweigh their cost. State Parks make up a mere one-fifth of one percent of the total state budget. For every dollar New York spends on parks, our state’s economy enjoys a five dollar return.

REQUIRE AN EVALUATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE IMPACTS OF THE
CLOSING OF ANY STATE PARKS
Bill A00693/S 01918 would require the State Parks agency to prepare a report that lays out the justification and rationale for the closure of a state park or historic site subsequent to at least one public hearing and at least 6 months prior to closure.

PTNY opposes the closure of any park or historic site in New York State, but if closures are
proposed in the future, this bill would ensure that State Parks lays out the justification and
rationale for closure, evaluates the impact to the people of New York and to local communities, and makes those findings available to the public so stakeholders can have the information needed to be more constructive partners in possibly developing alternative management structures to keep open a park or historic site. The bill’s requirement to hold a public hearing in the impacted area provides a voice at the table for community leaders, friends groups, and local citizens and may reveal issues the agency had not previously considered. With a six-month lead time, stakeholders will have sufficient time to more thoroughly investigate alternative management arrangements and to attract benefactors and corporate sponsors.

Read our memo in support of A. 693/S. 1918.

CREATE A DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM FOR STATE PARKS
Bill A6272/S4277 Pennies for Parks is a proposal for a penny surcharge on plastic bags, which can provide more than $60 million to Parks for capital needs. A recent poll shows 3 out of 4 New Yorkers support a one penny surcharge if the money goes to parks. The surcharge can be avoided through the use of reusable bags.

The parks agency is struggling, with 1500 fewer park workers and an 18 percent decrease in its budget over the last few years - a larger hit than most other agencies have taken. Plus, parks still have a huge backlog of infrastructure needs - to the tune of $1 billion - to restore deteriorated facilities and address health and safety needs. A dedicated funding stream for parks can help revitalize the parks system and ensure its integrity for future generations.

Read our memo in support of A. 6272/S. 4277.

DEVELOP PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Bill A5710/S2749, the Resident Curator bill, authorizes State Parks to enter into agreements with private individuals who are willing to invest private funds to rehabilitate and maintain vacant and at risk residential buildings in state parks and historic sites for which the agency has no public use and lacks the funds or staff resources to improve and maintain, in exchange for receiving a forty- year lease or life estate to live in the building. Ownership of the structures would remain with OPRHP, and at the end of the lease or term control would revert back to the agency.

This bill embodies the type of innovative thinking that must be brought into play to ameliorate the immense problem of OPRHP’s aging infrastructure and save some important and historic properties. Similar programs have been very successful in other states.

Read our memo in support of A. 5710/S. 2749.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND (EPF)

EPF AT $134 MILLION
The 2011-2012 state budget includes $134 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, the same level of funding as last year. We commend the Governor and Legislature for neither “offloading” new programs or costs to the EPF nor “sweeping” funds from the EPF into the General Fund.

The EPF is critical to the future and of New York’s parks and trails. The EPF provides funds for

  • NYS and local governments to acquire land for trail corridors and parks
  • municipal parks grants and waterfront revitalization grants, which fund many local park and trail projects
  • state land stewardship and public access to state parks, historic sites, and state forest lands and recreation facilities

EPF funds generate jobs and economic benefits

  • Over the lifetime of the EPF, more than $1.3 billion has been spent on environmental projects that have benefited local communities – e.g., creation and enhancement of local parks, acquisition of open space, and trail development.
  • EPF dollars are often matched by municipalities and federal and private sources,
    generating billions of dollars of investment in New York’s environment and economy.
  • EPF investments create and protect jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, education, waste management and tourism.

EPF-funded trails generate valuable economic, tourism, alternative transportation, health and quality of life benefits

  • New Yorkers are not getting the physical activity they need. More than 60% of New
    Yorkers are overweight or obese – costing New Yorkers $9.9 billion annually in adult obesity-related health care costs. Research shows that where trails are present, people are more physically active.
  • Community trails give residents the opportunity for “incidental exercise” while accessing schools, libraries, shops, neighborhoods and other resources without using a car.
  • As the number one amenity sought by new home buyers, trails can contribute to higher property values.
  • Cycling tourists can spend from $10 to $200 a day or more – depending on the nature and length of their visit.

LOCAL PARKS

PROTECT OUR PARKLAND – ENACT PARKLAND ALIENATION LEGISLATION
Parkland alienation is the process by which the use of parkland is discontinued. As a matter of policy, Parks & Trails New York opposes any alienation that results in a net loss of parkland for a community. Bill A5539/S1916 provides for a more rigorous review process of proposals to alienate municipal parkland which would be administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. It also requires that all parkland legislation shall include a:

  • Detailed description of the parcel to be alienated and the replacement parkland,
  • Requirement that alienation authorization not become effective until a municipality has first acquired and dedicated replacement parkland.

Read our memo in support of A. 5539/S. 1916.

TRAILS

STATE

  • Close the Gaps – Complete the Erie Canalway Trail
    The Erie Canalway Trail is now about 75% complete as an off-road path. When finished it will be the longest multi-use trail in the nation. Already it attracts visitors from across the world, but the trail cannot realize its full economic potential and become a premiere tourism destination until it is complete.

    Parks & Trails New York is working with the office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the New York State Canal Corporation, Congressional representatives, the Canalway Trails Association New York, and local stakeholders to seek creative solutions for completing the six remaining gaps outlined in the report Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie Canalway Trail:

    • Amherst to Lockport (Niagara County; 6 mi.),
    • Lyons to Port Byron (Wayne, Seneca and Cayuga Counties; 30 mi.);
    • Camillus to DeWitt (through Syracuse; 12 mi.);
    • Utica to Little Falls (Oneida and Herkimer Counties; 20 mi.);
    • Amsterdam to Rotterdam Jct. (Montgomery and Schenectady Counties; 7 mi.);
    • Cohoes to Watervliet via Green Island (Albany County; 5 mi.).

  • Make active transportation a priority in New York State
    • Reconvene the NYS Department of Transportation’s statewide bicycle-pedestrian task force
    • Create a plan for a statewide, interconnected network of multi-use trails
    • Enact Complete Streets legislation

Bill A1863/S1332 would enable safe access to public roads for everyone, including bicyclists and pedestrians, by requiring that all transportation improvements shall improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers regardless of age or ability. The bill requires that bicycle and pedestrian ways be included in the planning and development of state, county, and local transportation facilities, plans, and programs

Read our memo in support for A. 1863/S. 1332.

  • Support trail volunteers
    • Urge NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP and the NYS Canal Corporation to create a standard registration form for volunteers working on lands owned and managed by NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP or the NYS Canal Corporation.

FEDERAL

  • Increase federal funding for biking and walking

Parks & Trails New York supports a federal transportation bill that will create an entirely new type of transportation system - one that provides increased funding for bicycling and walking infrastructure and active living that will cost-effectively reduce oil dependence, climate pollution and obesity rates while providing more and better choices for getting around town.

  • $900 million for Land and Water Conservation Fund including $125 million for the stateside program

Parks & Trails New York supports dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million, the maximum level authorized by Congress, without further appropriation. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the federal government's principal means of assisting in the preservation of outdoor recreation resources including parks, trails, and wildlife lands.

Of greatest importance to New York is the stateside program which provides matching grants to states and local governments for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. This is the only way states such as New York, with few national parks and little federal land, can receive their fair share of LWCF funds.

In New York, NYSOPRHP uses stateside program monies for stewardship and acquisition of state park lands and trail corridors as well as to fund grants to local governments for the acquisition, development and/or rehabilitation of outdoor park and recreation facilities including trails. As OPRHP’s municipal grants program has been reduced by cuts to the EPF, there is an even greater need to ensure that New York receives funding from the LWCF stateside program.

 

 
           
 

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