Advocacy Agenda – 2010

State Parks

Prevent closing 91 state parks - restore $11.3 million to state parks operating budget

Ninety-one State Parks and Historic Sites are at risk of closing this year if funding for state parks operations is not restored. Not even during the Great Depression did our state parks close. In fact, FDR made them a vital part of our nation's economic recovery.

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

  • Last year more than 56 million people visited New York State Parks--2 million more than the previous year.
  • Parks are economic engines for local communities - annually they generate $1.9 billion and 20,000 jobs (not including park staff).
  • The benefits State Parks provide New York far outweigh their cost. State Parks make up a mere one-quarter 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.
  • When you close a park or historic site, you save some expenses, but you also lose revenue (entrance fees, camping fees, picnic shelter rentals, etc - all park revenues remain with the agency). Every $1 million in park closings generates only $650,000 in net budget savings.

Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

Restore the EPF to $222 million - keep the same level of funding as the 2009-2010 budget. Governor's Patterson's 2010-2011 Budget will slash the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) by $70 million - a very disproportionate decrease of 33%

  • There is no money appropriated for any land acquisition for trail corridors and parks
  • Funds for municipal parks grants and waterfront revitalization grants, which fund many local park and trail projects, have been cut almost in half.
  • During the last seven years, more than $500 million has been transferred from the EPF and spent on other non-environmental programs

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 were 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 $7 billion annually in 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.
  • Trails are the number one amenity sought by new home buyers.
  • Cycling tourists can spend from $10 to $200 a day or more - depending on the nature and length of their visit.
  • Establish a multi-year repayment plan to replenish years of borrowing from the EPF

During the last seven years, more than $500 million of dedicated environmental funding has been transferred from the EPF and spent on other non-environmental programs. Establishment of a multi-year repayment plan with an annual increase in the amount of Real Estate Transfer Tax funding dedicated to the EPF will ensure that the State can fulfill its current commitments and utilize new appropriations to fund new projects and provide ongoing support to current programs. Without properly addressing repayment of previously diverted EPF funds, the State runs the risk of exhausting future appropriations on previous commitments, risking progress on new projects.

Parks

Protect our parkl and 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:

  • a description of the land being alienated,
  • a description of the substitute parkland being provided,
  • no net loss of parkland in the community, and
  • if parkland is alienated, that the fair market value of the property be set aside for specific improvement to existing parks in the same community.

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.

  • Seek additional funds for shovel ready projects
    • Ilion to Little Falls - eight miles of new trail
    • Utica to Frankfort – six miles of new trail
    • Lyons to Clyde – eight miles of new trail
    • Amherst to Lockport – eight miles of new trail
  • Urge the New York State Department of Transportation to secure an easement from CSX for future trail use in the rail corridor between Mileposts 298 and 286 as part of their negotiations for high speed rail in order to close the long-standing gap in the trail through the City of Syracuse.

Make active transportation a priority in New York State

  • Reinstate 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
    • A8587 and S5711 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.

Support trail volunteers

  • Reinstate NYS Department of Transportation’s statewide bicycle-pedestrian task force
  • 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. 
  • Enact amendments to the General Obligations Law
    • S856 and A6969 – There are two different bills that would amend the state’s Recreational Use Statute (General Obligations Law) to add additional recreational activities and ensure coverage for trail groups, giving volunteers greater protection from liability concerns and helping to encourage more volunteer trail stewardship.
  • Authorize the NYS Canal Corporation to waive permit fees for volunteers
    • A5584 and S4888 – This bill would allow the Canal Corporation to waive the fee for a work permit for projects on canal lands if it adds value at no cost to the Canal Corporation or state.  This would provide a great incentive for more people to volunteer to assist with Canalway Trail maintenance.

Federal

Increase federal funding for biking and walking

The $286 billion national transportation program funded through SAFETEA-Lu expired in 2009 but was extended to February 28, 2010.  It is likely that SAFETEA-LU will be further extended until September 30, 2010 at the FY2009 funding levels, meaning that the discussion of a new transportation bill will be postponed until later in the year.

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.

$900 million for Land and Water Conservation Fund

H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act of 2009 would provide full, 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.
This bill would finally make good on the promise of 40 years ago by ensuring that revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling will be dedicated to the LWCF and will help address the estimated $50 billion in need at the national, state, and local levels.

S. 2747, the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act of 2009 would ensure that the LWCF, would receive full funding at its congressionally authorized level of $900 million without further appropriation and revitalize a program that has been underfunded for years.

$125 million for stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund

Until Congress approves dedicated funding for the LWCF, we seek increased funding for the stateside LWCF program through annual appropriations.  This 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.

  

 
           
 

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