Save Our State Parks

Keep those calls and emails coming - we need to maintain the pressure!

The NYS Legislature delivered park advocates some great news late last month. Both houses voted to restore $11.3 million in park operating funds which, if adopted in the final budget, will keep all state parks and historic sites open in 2010-2011.  We are deeply grateful to the Senate  and Assembly for their support of parks.

However, the Senate and Assembly's overall budget proposals are different and need to be reconciled with the Governor's budget so New Yorkers will have another late budget this year.

Until the budget is finalized, parks are still in danger.  Please help us keep the pressure up until the budget is passed and the parks operating budget is restored.

Environmental Protection Fund threatened

The Senate budget resolution pledged to restore the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to $222 million dollars - last year's appropriated levels. However the Assembly bill falls $60 million short of last year's EPF funding levels and eliminates all stewardship money for parks and trails. The stewardship and other EPF funding are essential for the maintenance and safety of New York's parks, trails, state forests, and public lands as well as providing money to build more trails and local parks and protect open space and farmland.

We urge leaders during final budget negotiations to follow the Senate's proposal to fully restore funding for the EPF.

How you can help 

The Governor and your legislators still need to hear from you. 

Contact Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader John Sampson:

• Thank them for voting to keep all state parks and historic sites open and for voting to restore funding to the EPF.
• Urge them to adopt the Senate's plan to fully restore EPF funding and protect stewardship funding for parks, trails, forests, and open spaces.
• Encourage them to remain strong and protect parks during budget negotiations with the Governor.

Contact Governor Paterson and urge him to:

• Accept the $11.3 million in restoration to the State Parks operating budget so that all state parks and historic sites can remain open.
• Accept the Senate's plan to fully restore EPF funding and protect stewardship funding for parks, trails, forests, and open spaces.

29 Elk Street * Albany, NY 12207 * (ph) 518-434-1583 * (fax) 518-427-0067 * ptny@ptny.org