December 4, 2003

A coalition of more than 70 groups released the following statement to the Governor and Legislature at a press conference today:

Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) – Position Statement
December 2003

For ten years, New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, a legally dedicated trust fund, has protected our water, our open space and our future,in good economic times and bad. These successes are significant and preserve the environment, safeguard public health and enhance the quality of life in rural, suburban and urban communities across New York.

$400 million in important EPF projects were not funded in 2003. In 2003, budget constraints kept unfunded over $400 million in clean water, open space, farmland, Hudson River estuary, parks, stewardship, coastal, solid waste and recycling projects. And, over the last two years, more funds have been “transferred” from this dedicated trust fund to help balance the state budget than have been distributed for priority Environmental Protection Fund projects. We’ve consistently opposed these transfers and continue to do so.

We offer the following recommendations regarding the Environmental Protection Fund in FY2004-’05:

1. Spend $250 million on Environmental Protection Fund projects. Over the last ten years, EPF appropriations have totaled $1.044 billion, while cash disbursements (through October 2003) have equaled only $615 million. The balance ($429 million) largely represents commitments not yet met. For FY2004-’05, we urge new appropriations of at least $125 million of legally dedicated Environmental Protection Fund money for clean water, open space, farmland, parks, recycling, solid waste and public health programs. In addition, we urge the State to proceed with previously authorized Environmental Facility Corporation (EFC) bonding to support spending an additional $125 million. Spending $250 million will help meet existing commitments and a surging need.



2. Appropriate Environmental Protection Fund money for traditional purposes. Since the EPF’s inception, we have consistently and strongly opposed the transfer of General Fund items, such as state agency staff and capital projects, to the EPF without new funding. We continue to do so. We support a three-way agreement between the Governor and the Legislature that itemizes dedicated funding levels for respective historic and statutorily defined EPF programs.



3. Sponsor 10th Anniversary Environmental Protection Fund Hearings. After ten years there are many Environmental Protection success stories that should be told, and there is an opportunity to look at the EPF’s history and develop recommendations for the future. With the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act exhausted, the EPF is more important than ever. There is a need to identify additional funding or revenue sources to meet real and expanding environmental needs. We also need processes to more effectively and quickly move EPF resources to pay for designated local projects. Hearings also provide an opportunity to highlight the need to avoid further reductions in agency environmental staffing and to fund that staffing outside of the EPF. We oppose further staff cuts, as this would jeopardize the ability of agencies to service communities and run programs, and would lead to frustration and delays at the local level.

We recognize the serious economic situation facing the State and the positive progress of the last ten years. However, our members continue to tell us that clean water, clean air, open space, farmland, urban and wilderness parks, land stewardship, recycling programs and public health initiatives like breast cancer research meet everyday needs. New York should not disproportionately reduce its commitment to the environment and public health, even during economically challenging times.

Protect the integrity and financial viability of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in 2004, Our Water, Our Open Space, Our Future depends on it.

Click here for a chart on the demand for EPF grants.