March 29, 2006

Environmental Advocates of New York Applauds Senator Breslin & Calls on NYS Senate to Discharge Community Preservation Bill

ALBANY, NY—Environmental Advocates of New York applauds Senator Neil D. Breslin for his efforts to bring attention to an issue integral to preserving the heritage and character of New York State’s cities and towns. The Senator is trying to force a floor vote on his bill, S6371, which is comparable to the Community Preservation Act sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino. The group is calling on New York State Senators to discharge the bill to the floor for a fair vote.

Senator Breslin’s bill to preserve the natural and historic heritage of our cities and towns would provide all New Yorkers with tools to preserve community character when and how they see fit. Also known as the Community Preservation Act, the bill would give municipalities the power to voluntarily create a fund dedicated to protecting natural areas and water resources, working farms, and historic buildings. The Community Preservation Act benefits New Yorkers by removing the obstacle of seeking legislative approval to fund local efforts.

Tools to preserve community character are desperately needed by cities and towns statewide faced with mounting pressure from development. According to a study by the Brookings Institution, between 1982 and 1997, more than 425,000 acres of forests, farms, and orchards in Upstate New York were converted into “big box” stores, subdivisions, and office parks. This represents a 30 percent increase in developed lands accompanied by less than three percent population growth, a trend that continues today.

Five Long Island towns pioneered the use of Community Preservation Funds in 1998. Supported by locally generated revenue from a modest real estate transfer tax, the towns have generated more than $300 million to protect natural and historic heritage. Preservation funds in these towns have had no negative impact. In fact, property has appreciated at a higher rate than the rest of the state.

The Community Preservation Act is one of four environmental “Super Bills” identified in 2006. The Super Bills were chosen by the Green Panel, which includes environmental leaders from nearly a dozen organizations from across New York State. The Campaign for Community Preservation includes more than 50 supporting organizations.