Eastern New York Chapter, Partners Laud Spano, Bradley and Galef

Support for the Environmental Protection Fund Cited

Westchester, NY—July 17, 2006—State and regional Conservation groups gathered in Westchester today to show their appreciation for State Senator Nick Spano and Assemblymembers Adam Bradley and Sandra Galef for their support of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) recently approved in Albany. With this approval, legislators made way for an EPF increase of $100 million over two years. The EPF now totals $225 million. The dedicated trust fund, supported by state real estate transfer revenue, provides for clean water, natural area, farmland and parks protection projects in Westchester and across the state. In addition, the legislators approved the restoration of more than 50 state environmental and parks agency staff and approved a new Conservation Easement Tax Credit. The three elected representatives were presented with "Conservation Champion" awards.

Conservation groups gather at the Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers to honor Senator Nick Spano and Assemblymembers Sandra Galef and Adam Bradley
© Sharon Pickett

Senator Nick Spano commented, "It is an honor to receive this recognition from New York’s leading environmental conservation organizations, with whom the State often partners to advance protection of our land, air and water, while promoting responsible redevelopment of the Hudson waterfront. Working with Governor Pataki and my Senate and Assembly colleagues, we are proud to have been able to approve a $100 million increase in the Environmental Protection Fund over the last two years."

Assemblyman Adam Bradley responded, "As a member of the State Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, and a representative from Westchester, I am extremely proud to have worked with Committee Chairman Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli from Long Island to secure approval of this historic increase in Environmental Protection Fund appropriations. These funds will provide for real protection of the water quality, rapidly vanishing natural areas and farms, and quality of life in our local communities."

Assemblywoman Sandra Galef said, "One of the ways I help the residents I represent in Westchester and Putnam counties is by serving on the Health Committee and working to support environmental protection. This record increase in dedicated EPF funding, coupled with a modest restoration of agency environmental staff, will protect the health of all New Yorkers, and ensure that future generations can live and work with increased security here in the Hudson River Valley, and across the state."

Gathering at Habirshaw Park, home of the Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers, representatives from The Nature Conservancy, Scenic Hudson, Westchester Land Trust, Beczak, the Land Trust Alliance, Audubon, Citizens for the Environment, Teatown Lake Reservation and others were unanimous in their regard for these legislators. Westchester Land Trust Executive Director Paul Gallay said, "Our representatives in Albany came through with two important land protection measures this year – a significant increase in the Environmental Protection Fund, and a bill to provide training so members of local boards can do a better job making development decisions. The EPF is crucial to environmental quality, and in fact two of the acquisitions Westchester Land Trust has worked on -- Taxter Ridge in Greenburgh and Angle Fly in Somers -- received significant funding from the EPF. In addition, we have long maintained that a key to land protection is strong, appropriate land use laws implemented wisely. The training bill is an important step toward that goal."

Added Steve Rosenberg, Senior Vice President of Scenic Hudson, "Scenic Hudson thanks and congratulates Senator Nick Spano and Assemblymembers Sandy Galef and Adam Bradley for their successful efforts to increase the funding of the Environment Protection Fund this year to $225 million. The EPF has made it possible for Scenic Hudson to create new waterfront parks in Yonkers, Irvington, Peekskill and Cold Spring, and to preserve critical open space in the Hudson Highlands in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Because of your vision and energy, we will be able to continue our efforts to create healthy, livable communities for all."

Summing up the afternoon, Katie Dolan, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Eastern New York Chapter and host of the event added, "New Yorkers in all parts of the state should be pleased by the leadership shown by these three legislators. The sizable increase in the Environmental Protection Fund is a significant step towards the higher level of conservation needed to protect our forests, rivers, and amazing landscapes in New York. The Conservancy is particularly pleased to see additional funding for clean water, open space natural area conservation, protection of natural diversity, management of invasive species, plus monies for the Hudson Estuary, and our oceans, bays and coasts."