Parks & Trails New York

STATE PARKS

$100 million for State Parks capital projects
The Governor’s proposed funding for NYS OPRHP capital projects for 2009-2010 is approximately $65 million, about half of what was provided in fiscal year 2008-2009. We believe cutting OPRHP's capital funding at this time is moving in the wrong direction, but given the state’s fiscal crisis, Parks & Trails New York accepts the Governor’s proposal, including the $19 million in Land Stewardship funds from the Environmental Protection Fund allocated to parks capital projects. We also support the Governor’s request for an additional $35.3 million in funding for parks projects as part of a federal economic stimulus package, bringing the total capital investment in state park infrastructure to $100 million.

In addition to improving the condition of our state parks, the revitalization efforts are stimulating the economy and creating jobs for local contractors and their employees, many times in parts of the state that have few other economic drivers. According to OPRHP, there have been over 3600 jobs created as a direct result of the ongoing state parks revitalization.

Provide OPRHP with Necessary Operating Funds
The proposed operating budget for OPRHP is $227 million, $139.6 million of which comes from the state’s general fund. This figure is based on the agency’s budget for this fiscal year after cuts totaling more than 10 percent were taken.

Unlike other agencies, OPRHP is extremely lean. Any reduction in operating budget translates into direct service cuts. Consequently, OPRHP will be forced to increase fees, shorten the hours of operations, cut services and reduce programming at selected parks and historic sites.

Parks & Trails New York opposes the Governor’s proposed cuts to OPRHP’s operating budget. We believe the budget reductions for OPRHP operations are the wrong approach at a time when people will increasingly depend on recreational opportunities that are both close to home and affordable, state parks need to be fully funded and staffed. The Governor must recognize that state parks are an important part of the state’s economic engine, adding millions of dollars to local economies every year. Governor Paterson should re-examine the cuts he has made to OPRHP’s operating budget with an eye toward preserving all the services and programs state parks offer, and he should restore OPRHP’s operating budget to at least the level of funding in place prior to the 10% reductions.

Parks & Trails New York urges the Senate and Assembly to work with Governor Paterson to ensure that OPRHP has the necessary operational funding to provide the agency with the staff and resources needed to offer clean and safe park facilities and high-quality recreational programming.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND(EPF)

No cuts to the EPF -Raise it to $300 million as required
The Governor’s Budget reduces the EPF to $205 million, a cut of $50 million, and a far cry from the $300 million that was statutorily established for fiscal year 2009-2010. This cut would decimate the popular municipal parks grant program, slashing funding for local park and community trail projects from $21.2 million to $8.4 million and reducing funding for parks in inner city and underserved communities from $6 million to $2 million. Governor Paterson’s proposal for a $205 million EPF for fiscal year 2009-2010, as opposed to the $300 million provided by the EPF Enhancement Act of 2007, is a 31% cut and is disproportionately severe when compared with other areas of the budget.

Reducing the EPF cuts funding for parks and trails and other natural areas, the very resources that research has overwhelmingly demonstrated encourage adults and children to become more physically active. When curbing childhood obesity is such a focus for the Governor, a fully funded EPF can create the infrastructure and change the environment in a way that will reap long-term results for the health of all New Yorkers.

Maintain a dedicated source of funding
In addition to the drastic cuts to the EPF, the Governor also proposes to change its primary funding source from the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) to the unclaimed beverage container deposits that would be returned to the state if the Bigger Better Bottle Bill is enacted. Parks & Trails New York strongly supports the Bigger Better Bottle Bill. However, we believe that the proceeds from any unclaimed deposits should supplement, not supplant, the RETT as the primary source of funding for the EPF.

Establish a capacity building grants program for park and trail not-for-profit organizations
Parks & Trails New York also supports the creation of a $250,000 category in the EPF for capacity building grants program for park, trail and historic site not-for-profit organizations. Such a program was proposed in fiscal year 2008-2009, but did not make it into the enacted state budget. The capacity building grants program would be administered by Parks & Trails New York and would be an important step in the development of a larger, stronger, more effective network of park and trail not-for-profit organizations.

Parks & Trails New York urges the legislature to remain committed to a $300 million EPF in 2009-2010. There are more than sufficient funds in the RETT to support the increase.

Expand the Bottle Bill - unclaimed deposit to bolster the EPF in a phased approach
Parks & Trails New York supports expanding the State’s existing Bottle Bill to include most non-carbonated beverage containers and requiring that any unclaimed deposits be used to supplement, not serve as the primary source for, the EPF. However, in light of the state’s current economic crisis, we support directing the unclaimed deposits to the state’s general fund at the outset, to be phased into the EPF.

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 the community. We also support the development of legislation that would make the alienation process a more rigorous undertaking.

We recommend that alienation legislation require that all parkland alienation bills include:

Invest in Governors Island
Parks & Trails New York supports a budget appropriation of $7.4 million in operating funds and $7 million in capital funding for the Governor’s Island Preservation and Education Corporation to assist in the creation of more than 90 acres of historic greens, playing fields, and waterfront access on this former military base, one-half mile from Manhattan. Funds will help provide public open space and a place for educational and cultural programs and increase the marketability of the island to attract tenants who will rehabilitate its historic buildings.

TRAILS

Close the Gaps – Complete the Canalway Trail
Citing declining toll revenues, inflation and the state of the economy, the New York State Thruway Authority has deferred construction of the remaining unfinished sections of trail within the Canalway Trail system.

Right now six projects, which would bring the Erie Canalway Trail within 64 miles of completion, are fully approved and “shovel ready” (poised to get people back to work and stimulate the economy of upstate towns). Two projects even have 90% of their funding in place from the federal Transportation Enhancements Program. We need to get these projects rolling.

Congress should include the six shovel ready projects in the federal stimulus bill
NY DOT should allow toll credits to be used as the match for projects already partially funded through the Transportation Enhancements Program

Oppose elimination of the Hudson River Valley Greenway
The Governor's budget calls for the consolidation and transfer of responsibilities of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and the Hudson River Valley Greenway Heritage Conservancy into the Department of State. We oppose this action. The Greenway facilitates a regional approach to planning and resource management in an area of the state that is under constant development pressure. The Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System includes more than 700 miles of designated land trails and a 256-mile water trail, which promote and preserve the Valley’s recreational, scenic, natural, cultural, historic and agricultural resources.

A great part of the Greenway’s success has been its ability to foster effective regional cooperation between Hudson River communities for wise environmental management, cultural resource development, and smart economic growth by not only giving communities the opportunity to shape the programs, but to administer funds to develop regional planning. By shifting the duties of the Greenway to the Department of State, New York will risk undoing 15 years of trust and community buy-in that the Greenway has achieved, setbacks that the State and region simply cannot afford.

Foster a working group of multiple state agencies to promote active environments that foster biking and walking
Develop a plan for a statewide, interconnected network of multi-use trails

Amend the state’s Recreational Use Statute (General Obligations Law) to add additional recreational activities and ensure coverage for trail groups.

Create a standard registration form for volunteers working on lands owned and managed by NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP or the NYS Canal Corporation.
Enable the NYS Canal Corporation to waive the work permit fee for trail and park volunteers.

FEDERAL

Include trail and state parks capital projects and support for active living in the federal economic stimulus program

Parks & Trails New York supports the park and trail projects included in Governor Paterson’s Economic Recovery Agenda sent to President Obama, including:

$35 million for 31 state park infrastructure projects
$17 million for five Erie Canalway Trail projects, representing construction and improvements for almost 40 miles of trail
$2 million for the Genesee Valley Greenway
$24 million for the Bronx River Greenway

Parks & Trails New York supports adding three other Canalway Trail projects to the stimulus bill that would build 29 more miles of trail, bringing the Erie Canalway Trail within 64 miles of completion.

Increase federal funding for biking and walking
In 2009, the current $286 billion national transportation program funded through SAFETEA-Lu will expire. Parks & Trails New York supports a 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.

$50 million for the stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund
The stateside LWCF program provides matching grants to states and local governments for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities and 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, these monies are granted to local governments for the acquisition, development and/or rehabilitation of outdoor park and recreation facilities through OPRHP-administered grants programs. With OPRHP’s municipal grants program threatened by cuts to the EPF, there is an even greater need to ensure that New York will receive funding from the LWCF stateside program.