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Stop threat to future AND past grants

Posted on September 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

A group of House Republicans have proposed taking “unused” account balances from the the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener), and farmland preservation, their selling point being that they can do this without actually hurting projects. Close scrutiny of the grant programs and farmland preservation system shows that it just doesn’t work. You can’t strip money from the dedicated funds without causing harm. Nevertheless, the idea that they can divert this dedicated money to state general operations without causing damage is mightily attractive to legislators who are looking for money under every stone. It’s absolutely critical that legislators hear from many voices opposing this latest proposal.

Please call your state representatives—the sooner the better, preferably today and Friday morning.

In stark contrast to the proposal in the House, the funding needs for high-quality community conservation, park, and farmland preservation projects actually far outstrip the available funds. Likewise, there is a huge backlog of needed State Park and Forest improvements. There is an unambiguous shortage of dedicated fund dollars. Essentially every existing dollar is committed and more are actually needed.

The consequences of stripping these dedicated funds as proposed include but aren’t limited to the following:

  • Park and conservation projects that have gone through this year’s competitive application review cycle—and which in many cases have taken years to bring to fruition—will not receive state funding.
  • Municipalities and charitable organizations that have received grant awards from the state may not be reimbursed for their project expenses (The dedicated funds operate on a reimbursement basis, paying on prior grant commitments after the grantees have incurred their expenses. These reimbursements come from the Treasury accounts from which the proposal would strip money.) A grant contract with the Commonwealth would no longer have legitimacy. (This may be a matter ripe for litigation.) Some projects can take a few years to responsibly bring to completion and final payment-processing by the state; these projects should not be threatened with defunding simply because it takes time to do the work right.
  • Counties may be forced to renege on preservation contracts with farmers, sticking farmers with costs they incurred to prepare their farms for protection.

The Commonwealth cannot achieve prosperity by cutting investments that bring lasting improvements and benefits to communities in all of Pennsylvania’s counties.

The investments made by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Growing Greener, and farmland preservation are proven to bolster the economy. For example, a study on the Keystone Fund found that for every $1 invested in land and water conservation, $7 in natural goods and services is returned to Pennsylvania. Several county governments have recently examined the connection between conservation and their economic well-being and found tremendous returns on conservation investments. You can view many of these studies at http://conservationtools.org/conservation-benefits

Polls show strong, consistent public support for these investments. A recent Penn State poll found that 97.4% of Pennsylvanians think that state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas, and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails; and preserving farmland should continue to be used for these purposes. The people of Pennsylvania clearly feel that the dedicated funds deliver value and must not be diminished.

Read PALTA’s 9/7/17 letter to PA House members.
DCNR Fact Sheet

Filed Under: Advocacy, Alert/Update Tagged With: Environmental Stewardship Fund, Keystone Fund

Call now to save conservation

Posted on July 8, 2017 Leave a Comment

We need you to act ASAP. The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Growing Greener, and farmland preservation and in danger. The General Assembly is considering stripping their funding to balance the state budget. This is a gravely serious threat that would harm Pennsylvania not just this year but for years to come.
What we all need to do:
  • Call (Harrisburg offices) and email your State Representative, Senator, and the Governor NOW and SUNDAY, and urge them to OPPOSE any transfers from the Keystone Fund, Growing Greener or farmland preservation to balance the budget.
  • Get on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and spread the message that these funds must be protected. Tag your legislators – let them know you are watching what happens. (#SavePA, #PABudget)
  • Do the same via email.
  • Personally reach out to those you know who have relationships with legislators and the Governor. Ask them to make calls.
Harrisburg must do more to protect the environmental, not less.

 

Filed Under: Advocacy, Alert/Update Tagged With: Environmental Stewardship Fund, farmland, Keystone Fund, state budget

Governor Corbett Signs 2014-15 Budget and Fiscal Code

Posted on July 1, 2014

On July 10, Governor Corbett signed the 2014-15 budget (House Bill 2328) and fiscal code (House Bill 278), line item-vetoed specific  legislative appropriations and placed legislative spending initiatives into budgetary reserves.

On June 30, the Pennsylvania Senate (26-24) and House (108-95), passed this Republican-written budget. (In subsequent days, the General Assembly also passed the fiscal code, legislation important to implementing the budget.)

The budget leaves the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund untouched. Likewise, farmland preservation and Growing Greener. These conservation investment programs will continue to deliver lasting results in 2014-15.

Thanks to everyone who reached out to their legislators regarding conservation funding! Your outreach made a difference.

Legislators who advocated for conservation funding deserve thanks. Please take a few minutes today to write a THANK YOU LETTER or make a THANK YOU CALL to your legislators who expressed support for conservation funding when you were reaching out to them. They need to hear from you that their support is appreciated. (Note that given the political complexities, a yes or no vote on the budget is not fair gauge of conservation support.)

Other features of the budget include the following:

  • The budget pattern of funding an increasing share of DCNR operations via the Oil and Gas Lease Fund rather than general tax revenues continued. (The Oil and Gas Lease Fund is where lease payments and royalties from drilling on State Forests are deposited.)
  • $95 million in revenue from additional leasing of State Forest and State Park for no surface disturbance gas extraction was budgeted. Additional leasing that does not include the right to surface disturbance is consistent with Governor Corbett’s new executive order regarding leasing.
  • REAP and historic preservation tax credits were left in place.
  • $500,000 was cut from the line item for the Delaware River Basin Commission.
  • The Heritage Areas Program line item in DCNR was increased by the General Assembly from the Governor’s originally proposed $2.5 million to $2.75 million. The Governor subsequently line-item vetoed $500,000 of this line item–one veto among many $10s of millions of vetoes made to budget expenditures passed by the General Assembly.

 

Filed Under: Alert/Update, Public Policy Tagged With: farmland, governor, Keystone Fund, state budget

Congratulations and Thank You on Saving Keystone!

Posted on August 30, 2012 Leave a Comment

This letter was sent to PALTA partners in 2012

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Congratulations, and thank you! The Pennsylvania House and Senate approved a 2012-13 state budget that supports key conservation investments by the Commonwealth. The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund will continue producing lasting legacies for Pennsylvania and cigarette tax revenue will continue to finance farmland preservation in the Commonwealth. Both conservation investment programs will continue, unharmed, into 2013, the 20th anniversary of the dedication of tax revenue to both Keystone (realty transfer tax) and farmland preservation (cigarette tax).

While it may seem incongruous to celebrate the maintenance of the status quo, in this case celebration is in order. On February 7, Governor Corbett introduced a budget that permanently zeroed out dedicated funding to Keystone park and conservation projects and farmland preservation. That — in the end — the General Assembly did not eliminate or cut the Keystone Fund or farmland preservation is a testimony to the many, many meetings, letters, and calls that you all made to your legislators and other people of influence. Thank you all so much. Those of us working in Harrisburg really can’t move the ball forward without all your individual energies and relationships.

Legislators who advocated for Keystone and farmland preservation also deserve thanks. Please take a few minutes today to WRITE A THANK YOU LETTER OR MAKE A THANK YOU CALL (even better, do both) TO YOUR LEGISLATORS who expressed support for conservation funding when you were reaching out to them. They need to hear from you that their efforts are appreciated!

With so many of you doing so much, it is impossible to publicly deliver thanks without unfairly leaving deserving persons out. Nevertheless, I’ll give it a try in the list below. For those of you whom I wrongfully omit, please point the omission out to me. You deserve to be acknowledged! For those too modest or unassuming to do so, please accept my generic thank you.

Andy Loza, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Land Trust Association

Conservation Funding Thank List
(Sorry, only one mention per person.)

For being the leading legislative champion: House Appropriations Chair Bill Adolph

For being the two leading rank-and-file conservation funding advocates: State Representatives Kate Harper and Greg Vitali

For volunteering to serve on the “Keystone Group of 6″:
Brenda Barrett
Cynthia Carrow
Bob Griffith
Ron Ramsey
Kim Woodward

For mobilizing the grassroots:
Kevin Anderson
Nicole Faraguna
David Masur
Marci Mowery
Elana Richman
Steve Stroman
Pat Tomes
Ann Toole

For tenacity and grace in advocacy: Dulcie Flaharty

For producing Keystone’s first promotional video: Mathea Jacobs and Scott Kreider

For leading on farmland preservation:
Karen Martynick
Jim Baird
Ellen Dayhoff
Matt Ehrhart
Sherri Evans-Stanton
John Goodall
Matt Knepper
Jeff Swinehart

For wearing out leather on the floors of the Capitol: Andrew Heath and Larry Williamson

For particularly noted local and other efforts (This is where I’ll make the most mistakes in failing to acknowledge great efforts — sorry!):
Oliver Bass
Trish Carothers
Alan Chase
Ralph Goodno
Rebecca Harms
Jennifer Hawk
Chris Kocher
Larry Knutson
Roy Kraynyk
Sam Kutskel
Jeff Marshall
Molly Morrison
Kyle Shenk
Phil Swank
John Turgeon

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Keystone Fund

Keystone Fund & Farmland Preservation Programs Will Survive to See 20th Anniversary in 2013

Posted on June 30, 2012 Leave a Comment

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association applauds the PA General Assembly for supporting key conservation investment programs in the 2012-13 state budget.

The House and Senate have ensured that the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund will continue to create lasting conservation, recreational and economic benefits for Pennsylvania and that cigarette tax revenue will continue to finance the preservation of the Commonwealth’s most productive farmland. Both conservation investment programs will continue, unharmed, into 2013, the 20th anniversary of the dedication of tax revenue to both Keystone (state realty transfer tax) and farmland preservation (cigarette tax).

Citizens across the state spoke out and told legislators how projects supported by these funds are vital to their communities. The Association especially thanks Representative Bill Adolph, House Appropriations Majority Chairman, who listened to citizen concerns and championed continued state investments in preserving productive farmland, conserving open space important to communities and ensuring outdoor recreational opportunities for the public.

“The Keystone Fund is Pennsylvania’s key tool for building lasting legacies in our communities,” said Andrew Loza, PALTA Executive Director. “Twenty years from now, Pennsylvanians will still be enjoying the fruits of Keystone investments when they visit local, county and state parks. Fifty years from now, Pennsylvanians will still be riding the thousands of miles of trails protected and built with Keystone investments. A hundred years from now, Pennsylvanians will still be enjoying the wildlife in natural areas protected with Keystone.”

Two thousand farm families are on county waiting lists to protect their farms. “With the dedication of cigarette tax revenue to farmland preservation, the General Assembly helps ensure the long-term security of Pennsylvania’s food supply and the sustainability of local farming economies,” Loza said.

In 1993, the General Assembly, governor and voters recognized both the need for and value of long-term support for conservation and outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania. They established the Keystone Recreaton, Parks and Conservation Fund, dedicating 15% of State Realty Transfer Tax revenues to creating lasting legacies for Pennsylvania and ensuring that essential investments in Pennsylvania’s future would occur as land is developed and trades hands.

Also in 1993, the General Assembly dedicated a portion of cigarette tax revenue to farmland preservation. $20.485 million a year is now directed to farmland preservation.

“On behalf of the 75 member organizations of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association and their 120,000 Pennsylvania members and contributors, I thank legislators for their continued support of the Keystone Fund and farmland preservation,” Loza said.

Learn more at conservationadvocate.org, keystonefund.org.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: farmland, Keystone Fund

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Land Trusts, Trail Groups, Local Governments, and Other Landowners Get New Liability Protection

October 25, 2018

On October 24, 2018, Governor Wolf signed Act 98 into law. Act 98 amends the Pennsylvania Recreation Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) to better protect from liability those who open their properties to the public for recreation without charge. Improvements to the law include: Explicitly listing paths, paved and unpaved trails, fishing and […]

Governor Signs HB 2468

June 25, 2018

Governor Wolf quietly signed HB 2468 (and several other bills) into law on Sunday, June 24. The bill is now Act 45 of 2018. A correction to the previous PALTA communication: Act 45 should apply retroactively to McCormick Farm, so, hopefully, the Cumberland Valley School District will cease its pursuit of the farm. The district […]

HB 2468 Is on Governor’s Desk

June 25, 2018

Friday evening, after the Senate passed HB 2468 (37-12), the House voted to concur (177-15) with the Senate’s changes to the bill. The governor is expected to sign the bill. This is a thrilling victory for conservation! This landmark, bipartisan legislation provides a crucial safeguard for conservation easements from the unnecessary exercise of eminent domain […]

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