In good and bad economic times, it is imperative that we continue to protect our land, air, and water. The environment is not a luxury, and must not be sacrificed in short-sighted budget cuts. CCE is working to restore funding for the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, keep our state parks open, and maintain existing NYS Department of Environmental Conservation staff.

Take action now!

What is the NYS Environmental Protection Fund and why is it important?

17 years ago, the NYS Legislature established dedicated environmental funding to ensure that in good economic times and bad essential environmental programs in NYS would continue. The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) invests millions of dollars in every region of the state to protect and restore our shared water, air, and land resources while putting New Yorkers to work on projects that benefit the local economy, public health, and our environment.

What programs does the EPF support?

New York’s environment, economy, and public health are dependent upon the EPF. All New Yorkers benefit from the numerous programs and projects in the EPF, including:

• Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. The EPF supports local waterfront revitalization projects, community parks, environmental education at zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens; and important environmental stewardship programs.
• Solid Waste. This category includes program funding for municipal recycling, landfill closures, and pesticide reduction.
• Open Space & Pollution Prevention. This category includes programs that support the acquisition of open space and the preservation of farmland. Critical pollution control programs, including non-point source pollution reduction, receive funding through this category. Important water quality projects, including programs that benefit the South Shore Estuary Reserve, Hudson River Estuary, Atlantic Ocean, Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, rivers, and other essential water bodies are supported by this category.

The good news is that the real estate market continues to generate significant revenue from the Real Estate Transfer Fee (RETT) in excess of the EPF. The RETT is the original and stable funding source for the EPF which funds essential clean water and environmental protection programs benefiting the local economy and public health for every New Yorker from Montauk to Buffalo.

Proposal to slash the EPF

Last year, the NYS Legislature appropriated $222 million to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for critical environmental programs that positively affected every New Yorker. This year, the Governor proposes to slash funding to $143 million while adding new categories, further eroding existing essential programs, translating to a cut of 40% to the state’s environmental budget! For the first time in the history of the EPF, the budget proposal terminates funding for land preservation, essentially halting statewide and local land preservation efforts. The proposed cuts undermine and in some cases destabilize EPF programs, the EPF's integrity, and its very existence.

State Parks
The Governor’s proposed budget threatens to slash $29 million from State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which would drastically cut park funding, resulting in closing and cutting services to over 100 of our state parks. It is important to keep our parks open and running, as they are an extension of our backyard. Our parks provide spaces for our families to picnic, kayak, hike, swim, and enjoy the sun. Parks are critical to tourism and stimulate our economy. It is critical now, more than ever, that we keep our natural treasures open to local families that can’t afford to travel out of state this summer.

Parks on the chopping block or slated for reduced services include (by region):

Long Island

• Brookhaven State Park (Suffolk)--Close Park
• Bethpage State Park (Suffolk)--Eliminate Winter Sports; Reduce picnic area and polo field
• Caleb Smith State Park Preserve (Suffolk)--Close Park
• Cold Spring Harbor State Park (Suffolk)--Close Park
• Connetquot River State Park (Suffolk)--Close Weekdays
• Heckscher State Park (Suffolk)--Close Swimming Pool
• Jones Beach State Park (Nassau)--Close West Swimming Pool; Eliminate July 4th fireworks
• Montauk Downs State Park (Suffolk)--Close Swimming Pool
• Nissequogue River State Park (Suffolk)--Close Park
• Orient Beach State Park (Suffolk)--Close Park
• Trail View State Park (Suffolk)--Close Park

New York City Region

• Bayswater Point State Park (Queens)--Close Park
• Riverbank State Park (New York)--Reduce Operating Hours; Close Outdoor Swimming Pool; Eliminate Seniors Classes, and Community/Cultural Events

Palisades Region

• Fort Montgomery Historic Site (Orange)--Close Historic Site
• Harriman SP– Anthony Wayne (Orange)--Close Park Area
• Harriman SP – Group Camps (Orange)--Reduce Maintenance
• High Tor State Park (Rockland)--Close Pool
• Knox Headquarters Historic Site (Orange)--Close Historic Site
• New Windsor Cantonment SHS (Orange)-- Close Historic Site
• Schunnemunk State Park (Orange)-- Close Park
• Stony Point State Historic Site (Orange)--Close Historic Site
• Tallman Mountain State Park (Rockland)--Close Pool

Taconic Region

• Donald J. Trump State Park (Westchester)--Close Park
• FDR (Roosevelt) State Park (Westchester)--Reduce Swimming Pool Season
• Hudson Highlands State Park (Putnam)--Close Arden Point Area
• James Baird State Park (Dutchess)--Reduce Golf Course Season
• Mills Norrie State Park (Dutchess)--Reduce Golf Course Season
• Olana State Historic Site (Columbia)--Close 2 Days per Week
• Philipse Manor Hall Historic Site (Westchester)--Close Historic Site
• Rockefeller State Park Preserve (Westchester)--Eliminate Interpretive Programs
• Taconic Outdoor Education Center (Putnam)--Eliminate Interpretive Programs
• Taconic State Park – Rudd Pond (Dutchess)--Close Rudd Pond Area
• Wonder Lake State Park (Putnam)--Close Park

Saratoga-Capital Region

• Bennington Battlefield StateHistoric Site(Rensselaer)--Close Historic Site
• Hudson River Islands State Park (Rensselaer)--Close Park
• John Boyd Thacher State Park (Albany)--Close Park
• John Brown Farm Historic Site (Essex)--Close Historic Site
• Johnson Hall State Historic Site (Fulton)--Close Historic Site
• Max V. Shaul State Park (Schoharie)--Close Park
• Schodack Island State Park (Rensselaer)--Close Park
• Schoharie Crossing Historic Site (Montgomery)--Close Historic Site
• Schuyler Mansion Historic Site (Albany)--Close Historic Site

Central Region

• Chittenango Falls State Park (Madison)--Close Park
• Clark Reservation State Park (Onondaga)--Close Park
• Fort Ontario State Historic Site (Oswego)--Close Historic Site
• Helen McNitt State Park (Madison)--Close Park
• Herkimer Home Historic Site (Herkimer)--Close Historic Site
• Hunts Pond State Park (Chenango)--Close Park
• Oquaga Creek State Park (Broome)--Close Park
• Old Erie Canal State Park (Onondaga)--Close Park
• Oriskany Battlefield/Steuben SHS (Oneida)--Close Historic Site
• Pixley Falls State Park (Oneida)--Close Park
• Robert Riddell State Park (Delaware)--Close Park
• Selkirk Shores State Park (Oswego)--Close Public Swimming Beach

Finger Lakes Region

• Beechwood State Park (Wayne)--Close Park
• Bonavista State Park (Seneca)--Close Park
• Chimney Bluffs State Park (Wayne)--Close Park
• Newtown Battlefield State Park (Chemung)--Close Park
• Springbrook Greens State Park (Cayuga)--Close Park
• Two Rivers State Park (Tioga)--Close Park
• Buttermilk Falls State Park (Tompkins)--Close Public Swimming Area
• Seneca Lake State Park (Seneca)--Close Lake Swimming Beach
• Stony Brook State Park (Steuben)--Close Public Swimming Area

Thousand Islands Region

• Canoe Island State Park (Jefferson)--Close Park
• Cedar Island State Park (Jefferson)--Close Park
• Eel Weir State Park (St. Lawrence)--Close Park
• Keewaydin State Park (Jefferson)--Close Park
• Macomb Reservation State Park (Clinton)--Close Park
• Mary Island State Park (Jefferson)--Close Park
• Point Au Roche State Park (Clinton)--Close Park
• Sackets Harbor State Historic Site (Jefferson)--Close Historic Site

Genesee Region

• Hamlin Beach State Park (Monroe)--Close Swimming Beach 3 Days per Week
• Oak Orchard State Marine Park (Orleans)--Close Park
• Regionwide Multiple Eliminate Camper Recreation Program

Niagara Region

• Joseph Davis State Park (Niagara)--Close Park
• Knox Farm State Park (Erie)--Close Park
• Wilson-Tuscarora State Park (Niagara)--Close Park
• Woodlawn Beach State Park (Erie)-- Close Park
• Regionwide--Reduce interpretive programs

Allegany Region

• Allegany State Park (Cattaraugus)--Close Quaker Area Swim Beach; Close Quaker Cabins Area on December 1st; Eliminate Winter Trails Maintenance; Reduce Recreation Programs
• Long Point State Park (Chautauqua)--Close Park

Department of Environmental Conservation

The Governor’s proposed budget also slashes the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) budget by 34%! For context, other agencies are facing proposed cuts ranging from 1% to 19%. If adopted, this cut would result in a net loss of 54 staff. Adequate DEC staff is necessary for overseeing programs and policies to protect our land air, and water. For years, the DEC staffing has been slashed, to the detriment of our environment and public health. However, while cutting the necessities, the Governor proposes adding new staff to facilitate hydro-fracking in New York State.

With the loss of essential environmental protection programs, combined with the loss of experienced DEC regulators, the executive budget puts New York’s water and air protection at serious risk. The FY 2010-11 NYS budget must at least maintain existing DEC staff levels.

How you can help! Write an email to your State Assembly member, Senator, and Governor Paterson. Tell them we need them to fight to ensure that funding for critical environmental programs is restored in the FY 2010-11 NYS budget!

Email tips:

• Include your name and address.
• Focus your email on the need to keep our state parks open. Share your favorite personal park story.
• Tell them to Restore the Environmental Protection Fund to $222 million and deliver New York State’s promise to clean air, water, and land.
• Tell them to Maintain existing DEC staff levels.
• Ask them to respond in writing, informing you how they will address your concerns.

Email your Senator:

Not sure who your senator is? Identify your senator by typing in your zip code

Senators' email addresses

Email your Assembly member:

Not sure who your Assembly member is? Identify your Assembly member by typing in your zip code

Assembly members' email addresses

Email Governor Paterson:

Email the Governor now

Please forward any response you receive to , or call (516) 390-7150 --- it helps us track progress on the issue. Thanks!

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EPF success stories

CCE’s memo of support on the EPF – January 2010

EPF funding history from 1993-2007

Governor’s proposed cuts to the FY 10-11 EPF budget

Updated by bsmith 3/5/10