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For Immediate Release
June 16, 2009
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White: Committee Approves Measures
to Ensure State Park Services are Not Reduced
Harrisburg – The Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White
(R-21), unanimously approved legislation today that would ensure funding for
services at state parks is not reduced as a result of budget constraints.
The measures would permit the state
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to utilize funding from the
Environmental Stewardship/Growing Greener Fund (Senate
Bill 962) and Key '93 realty transfer tax revenue (Senate
Bill 963) for the operation and maintenance of Pennsylvania's 117state
parks.
"The money in the Key '93 and
Environmental Stewardship funds belongs to the taxpayers," White said. "Over the
past several weeks, citizens have expressed their strong support in ensuring
that services at state parks are not reduced. While this legislation does not
require any transfer of funding to state parks, it gives the Governor and the
Secretary of DCNR added flexibility to ensure that our state park system remains
open to visitors."
White also noted that non-profit
and local government organizations which typically receive funding from these
programs continue to benefit from the $625 million Growing Greener Bond approved
by voters and the General Assembly in 2005.
The committee unanimously approved two additional bills
today:
Senate Bill 235 authorizes the state Department of Environmental Protection
to implement flood protection measures using nonstructural alternatives
including acquisition of land and structures; demolition, removal, relocation,
elevation and floodproofing of structures; and floodplain clearance and
restoration. (Senator Wozniak)
Senate Bill 880 authorizes the Secretary of Environmental Protection to
enter into redevelopment agreements with developers who remediate brownfield
sites. Developers may be eligible to receive a reimbursement of up to 75
percent of the remediation costs. (Senator Wonderling)
For more information on committee
action, visit
senatormjwhite.com and click on "Environmental Resources and Energy."
CONTACT:Pat Henderson (717) 787-9684
phenderson@pasen.gov
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