Nicole Faraguna

Letter to House: Support HB 544, Recreational Use of Land and Water Act

Posted on June 27, 2017 Leave a Comment

Email sent from PALTA to state representatives on 6/27/17:

Dear [Representative]:

On behalf of the 75 member organizations of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association and the 120,000 Pennsylvanians they count as members, I write to request your support of HB 544 and ask that you oppose all amendments with the exception of Rep. Maher’s A1763.

The final passage vote for this legislation last year was 187-2 in the House.

HB 544 would amend the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act to limit the liability for personal injury or property damage of landowners who generously open their lands to public use for hunting, bird watching, hiking, and other forms of recreation. It ensures they will not punished for allowing the public on their land free of charge.

The Association’s member organizations work with landowners to conserve their land and to provide safe and responsible recreational opportunities to the public. Landowner fear of liability is often an obstacle to establishing trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities. By providing assurance to landowners that their public-minded decisions to provide access won’t be punished with undue liability, House Bill 544 will expand recreational opportunities for the public.

Landowners and the public deserve the protections and recreational opportunities that this bill promotes. Both of their interests would benefit from the passage of this bill.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Andrew M. Loza

Executive Director

Act Now: Land Trust Farm Preservation

Posted on June 29, 2017 Leave a Comment

PA Representative Cutler of Lancaster County soon will introduce legislation that would direct a portion of PA farm preservation funding to land trusts for purchase of agricultural conservation easements.

Please ask your representative to co-sponsor Rep. Cutler’s bill.

Rep. Cutler’s memorandum asking for co-sponsors is provided below.

Land trusts would be expected to use the state funds to leverage private contributions on a 50-50 basis in order to increase the effectiveness of state investments in farm preservation. The current proposal would dedicate $2,500,000 a year to this initiative as well as $500,000 to land trusts for reimbursement of transaction expenses of up to $10,000 for each qualifying ag easement project (up from the present $5,000 limit). Land trusts would apply directly to the state board for funding but would have to coordinate purchase activities with their county agricultural land preservation board.

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association supports Rep. Cutler’s effort as does the PA Farmland Preservation Association (which is made up of county agricultural land preservation administrators).

Please take a moment to support farmland preservation and the land trust community. Call or email your representative as soon as possible.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

Posted on May 25, 2017 Leave a Comment

The LWCF has permanently protected nearly 5 million acres of public lands including some of America’s most treasured assets, including the Grand Canyon National Park.

Growing Greener III legislation introduced in Senate

Posted on May 25, 2017 Leave a Comment

Senator Killion’s Growing Greener III framework legislation (SB705) has been introduced.

See Coalition’s press release.

The House bill, as of this morning, has 31 sponsors but needs many more.

Please call or email your state representative ASAP. Ask them to co-sponsor the legislation. View the cosponsorship memo.

View current list of sponsors.

The legislation establishes a framework for the state to invest $315 million annually to support water protection, land conservation, outdoor recreation, and other environmental projects. Pennsylvania needs this new framework. Growing Greener could provide only $57 million for projects last year.

Comments to the White House on importance of conservation

Posted on May 31, 2017 Leave a Comment

Go to the White House’s public comment site. Comment on the importance of conservation. You may multi-select as many agencies as you want and type your comments for each agency accordingly in the text area below. Also, since required to complete the form, select “-NONE-” and “-NA-” at the top of the survey items regarding agency elimination (unless you have specific agencies you wish to see eliminated). There is no need to fill out the “Organization” question.

Examples of possible comments:

Select Department of Interior: Full Department-Keep our national monuments protected. Do not damage a century of responsible establishment and conservation of national monuments.
Select Department of Interior: Full Department-Protect our national park systems. Do not weaken the National Park Service or other federal land agencies. These agencies hold federal land in trust for all US citizens. These lands make America great. They are fundamental to the character of America and should be cherished.
Select Department of Interior: United States Fish and Wildlife Service-Call for robust funding of the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program.
Select Department of Interior: National Park Service-State the need to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), increase LWCF funding for state and local projects, and/or make land trusts eligible for LWCF funding.
Select Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service: State the need for more funding to help farmers complete conservation plans.
Select Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: State the need to protect our national forest systems. Indicate your support for the US Forest Service and our National Forests like our own Allegheny National Forest.