Budget deal boosts green projects in NY
North Country Public Radio
April 1, 2014
By, Brian Mann
Westport, NY, Apr 01, 2014 — Green groups say they're pleased that the final budget approved yesterday includes more money for the Environmental Protection Fund.
Lawmakers devoted just over $160 million dollars to the fund, which is used to pay for park land purchases and to fund clean air and water projects.
During the recession, state officials sharply reduced environmental spending, but the amount spent on green projects has slowly crept back up.
In a statement, the Adirondack Council's Willie Janeway praised what he called "a partial restoration of vital funding" for environment projects.
Neil Woodworth, head of the Adirondack Mountain Club, said the boost in funding would mean “more protected wilderness and more resources to take care of those precious lands.”
Under this deal, the Environmental Protection Fund will grow by roughly $9 million over last year’s level.
Green groups and North Country officials have also raised alarms that the operating budget for the state Conservation Department doesn't include enough funds to properly maintain public lands in the Adirondacks.
The Cuomo administration has argued that this spending plan does not include substantial cuts to on-going DEC programs and staffing levels.
