June 19, 2014

Dear Senator,

We, the undersigned business leaders, educators, elected officials, and organizations, strongly urge you to protect general and special fund sources in the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year budget for conservation, recreation, and preservation programs critical to the protection of our land, water and heritage.

We recognize the budget challenges currently facing the Commonwealth and ask for your leadership in addressing these challenges without sacrificing core programs that contribute so much to the economic health and overall well being of communities.

We oppose cuts that reduce or eliminate General Fund appropriations to programs that protect our land, water, and heritage - like the Heritage Areas Program.

And while no specific proposals currently threaten the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, farmland preservation, and the historic preservation tax credit, we want to emphasize the importance of keeping intact these special funds and the investments they make for all Pennsylvania communities.

Now more than ever, Pennsylvania needs to strengthen its investment in local efforts to protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support parks and recreation, and preserve our historic and cultural sites.

Pennsylvania communities have had to endure significant cuts to several programs in the past. If we hope to make real progress in tackling the many environmental challenges facing Pennsylvania, now is the time to step up our commitment to programs that protect land and water.

Consider that:

• The Commonwealth has 19,000 miles of rivers and streams that do not meet basic water quality standards.

• More than 2,000 family farms remain on the statewide list for preservation.

• Pennsylvania continues to lose more forest, wildlife habitat, farmland and other open spaces to development than we are able to preserve.

• Abandoned mines still scar almost 220,000 acres across the Commonwealth and are the cause of more than 5,000 miles of dead streams.

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The investments made by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, farmland preservation, and historic preservation programs in conservation, recreation, and preservation are proven to bolster the economy. For example, a Trust for Public Land study on the Keystone Fund found that for every $1 invested in land and water conservation, $7 in natural goods and services is returned to the state of Pennsylvania.

Moreover, investments in parks and open space add billions of dollars to property values and help support Pennsylvania’s tourism and recreation industry. A report by the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania generates $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and supports 219,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

Lastly, polls show strong, consistent public support for programs that improve our quality of life, boost the economy and protect the environment throughout Pennsylvania. The Growing Greener Environment Stewardship Fund, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, and the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, which just passed its 20th anniversary, have enjoyed strong, support from voters, legislators and governors since the beginning.

A survey released June 3rd by Penn State found that more than 97.4 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed think that state funds dedicated to protecting rivers and streams; conserving open space, forests, natural areas and wildlife habitats; providing parks and trails, and preserving farmland should continue to be used for these purposes. This figure represented strong bi-partisan support, and is up by five percentage points since 2012.

The survey also found that more than three-quarters of respondents – 82.6 percent – would support increasing state funds to address these issues, even if it would cost the average household $10 more annually. This figure is up from 77.7 percent in 2012.

The people of Pennsylvania clearly feel that these programs hold value and must not be diminished.

The General Assembly rightly rescued the Heritage Areas Program last year, and we urge you to restore this program and provide $3 million in funding for the program this year. It is a valuable program that creates jobs and brings business to the region, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenues.

We recognize the challenges ahead and look forward to working with you to ensure that funding for programs that protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support our parks and trails, and safeguard our historic treasures remains intact.

Thank you.

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CONTACTS LeeAnn Murray, Assistant Director Andrew Heath, Executive Director Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition (717) 234-5550 (717) 824-2281

Jane Sheffield, President Andy Loza, Executive Director HeritagePA Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (814) 940-1922 (717) 230-8560

Karen Martynick, Executive Director Mindy Crawford, Executive Director Lancaster Farmland Trust Preservation Pennsylvania (717) 687-8484 (717) 234-2310

SIGNATORIES Doug Wendell, Director Phil Wallis, Executive Director Abington Parks & Recreation Audubon Pennsylvania

David Swope, President Jim Bonner, Executive Director Adams County Trout Unlimited Chapter 323 Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania

Christopher J. Beichner, President & CEO Timothy P. Ishman, Director Allegheny Land Trust Beaver County Recreation & Tourism

George Kutskel, President John Spiegel, Secretary Allegheny Mountain Chapter of Trout Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy Unlimited Kristina M. DeSenze, Environmental Attorney Jane Sheffield, President Berman & Asbel, LLP Allegheny Ridge Corp. Joe Stafford, Executive Director Bill Weller, President Bicycle Access Council Allegheny Valley Trails Association Sarah Clark Stuart, Deputy Director & Chair Jim Baird, Mid Atlantic Director Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia & American Farmland Trust Circuit Coalition

Liz Deardorff, Director Randy Bitting, President American Rivers Bitting Recreation, Inc.

Mark Zakutansky, Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager Janis Long Appalachian Mountain Club Blacklick Creek Watershed Association

Karen Lutz, Regional Director Christopher Clouser, President Conservancy BluAcres, LLC

Joseph Simon, Council President Sherri Evans-Stanton, Director Archbald Borough, Lackawanna County Brandywine Conservancy

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James E. Jordan, Jr., Executive Director Debra Frawley, Coordinator Brandywine Valley Association Council on Greenways & Trails

Delores J. Columbus, Executive Director Robert Hopkins, Chair Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Crawford County Agricultural Land Authority Preservation Board

Patrick Kelley, Manager Christine Lauriello, President Carnegie Carbons Ltd. Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club

Susan Moon, Secretary & Treasurer Elissa M. Garofalo, President & Executive Casselman River Watershed Association, Inc. Director Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Anna N. Yelk, Executive Director Corridor, Inc. Central Pennsylvania Conservancy Brian Winslow, Executive Director Ernie Shumbat, President The Delaware Nature Society Central PA Sleds and Treads Daniel Germain, President Pete Schempf, President DDP Minerals, Inc. Centre County Farmland Trust Paul Battaglini, President LeeAnn Murray, Assistant Director East Bethlehem Township Board of Chesapeake Bay Foundation Commissioners

Bryan Hutchinson, President Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director Chester Co. Citizens for Climate Protection Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation Aimee Erickson, Executive Director Citizens Coal Council Sara Jane Elk, President & CEO Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Cindy Dunn, President & CEO Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future B. Scott Fiegel, Director Ecological Associates, LLC Ken Kulak, Councilman City of Monongahela W. Anthony Riley, M.D., President Eden Hill Conservancy Jennifer Shuey, Executive Director ClearWater Conservancy Peter Haentjens EMARR, Inc. Clifford David, President & CEO Conservation Economics Frank Oliver, President Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. Christopher Clouser, Director of Technical Services Cindy Rogers, President Conservation Lands, LLC Evergreen Conservancy

Scott Douglas, President Sean P. Kenny, Executive Director Cooks Creek Watershed Association Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County

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Heather D. Fowler, Watershed Coordinator Jeri E. Stumpf, President Fayette County Conservation District Jeri E. Stumpf & Associates, Inc.

Christine A. Buckelew, President Laura Jackson, President Fayette County Historical Society Stan Kotala, Conservation Chair Juniata Valley Audubon Society Valerie Lambert, President Fran Calpin, Sr. Director of College Relations Keystone College Dennis Stagle, President Fredericktown Area Chamber of Commerce Alan Laick, Owner Laick Design Pam Brown, Conservation Director French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Tom Fuhrman, President Trust Lake Erie Region Conservancy

Phillip Swank, President Craig Lehman, Commissioner French Azilum, Inc. Lancaster County

Beth Reseter, Treasurer Gene Garber, Chair Friendship Hill Association Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board Dwight Washabaugh, President Fulton County Chamber of Commerce & Mike Burcin, CEO/COO Tourism Lancaster County Conservancy

Paul Garrett Karen Martynick, Executive Director Green-CAUSE Lancaster Farmland Trust

Bradley Eisiminger, Chairman Gwendolyn Lacy, Esq., Executive Director Greene County Conservation District Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County Terri Davin, President Greene County Watershed Alliance Norma L. Calhoun, President Land Conservancy of Adams County Barry Lewis, Executive Director GreenTreks Network Ronald W. Virag, President & CEO Visitors Bureau Jason C. Robinson, President Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Natalie Gelb, Executive Director Services Lackawanna Heritage Valley National & State Heritage Areas Andy Patterson, Director Manager Huntingdon County Conservation District Jo Ellen Litz, Commissioner Lebanon County Victoria E. Michaels, Executive Director Independence Conservancy Angie Foltz, Program Specialist Lebanon County Agricultural Land Preservation Board

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Stephanie Harmon, Water Specialist Trevor S. Finn, Commissioner Lebanon County Conservation District John J. Gerst, Commissioner Jerry R. Ward, Commissioner Pat Krebs, President Montour County Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition Evelyn Koppel Sheila Wartluft, Board President The Mount Gretna Bird Club The Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Inc. John Hook, President Christine Tomsey, Board Member Mount Nittany Conservancy Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Cassandra Vivian Olga Herbert, Executive Director Mount Pleasant Glass Museum Christine Tomsey, Board Member Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Beverly Braverman, Executive Director Mountain Watershed Association Bill Anderson, President Little Juniata River Association Donna Holdorf, Executive Director National Road Heritage Corridor Susan Huba, Executive Director Loyalhanna Watershed Association Molly Morrison, President Natural Lands Trust Robert W. Genter, Director Mackin Engineering Company Melinda Hughes-Wert, President Nature Abounds Sally Zaino, Director of Preservation The Manada Conservancy Margaret McCarvill, Board President Neighborhood Gardens Trust Heather Cuyler Jerry, Director Marshall Township Parks & Recreation Bill Moul, President North Area Environmental Council Pat McInerney, President Martins-Jacoby Watershed Association Joy Knapp, Co-Chair Steve Porter, Co-Chair Cathy McCollom, Principal Northwest Pennsylvania Green Economy McCollom Development Strategies LLC Task Force

Michele Adams, PE President John R. Phillips, II, President and CEO Meliora Design Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism

Geoff Goodenow, Coordinator Molly Duffy, Esq. Merrill Linn Land & Waterways Open Land Conservancy of Chester County Conservancy Christina Voorhees, President Jay Salyers, Senior V.P. PA Chapter of the Wildlife Society Miles David Masur, Director Dulcie Flaharty, Executive Director PennEnvironment Montgomery County Lands Trust

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Andrea Ferich, Executive Director Lauren Bornfriend, Executive Director Penns Valley Conservation Association Philadelphia Parks Alliance

Edward J, McCrea, President Ingrid E. Morning, President Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Pine Creek Valley Watershed Association, Educators Inc.

Rev. Sandra Strauss, Director of Public Meg Cheever, President & CEO Advocacy Parks Conservancy Pennsylvania Council of Churches Dawn Gorham, Executive Director Brian Wagner, President Pocono Heritage Land Trust Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited Carl Ables, Mayor Davitt Woodwell, Executive Vice President Patrick Kelley, Borough Council Pennsylvania Environmental Council Point Marion Borough

Matt Knepper, President Victoria Evans, Chairwoman Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Point Marion Parks Commission Association Larry Reseter, Treasurer Larry Williamson, Chairman Point Marion Rotary Andrew Heath, Executive Director Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Caroline E. Boyce, Executive Director Preservation Alliance for Greater Andy Loza, Executive Director Philadelphia Pennsylvania Land Trust Association Mindy Crawford, Executive Director Stan Stubbe, President Preservation Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council Sharon Martin, Executive Director Marci Mowery, President Radnor Conservancy Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Deb McNamara, Program Manager Karen Burke, Executive Director Rail-Trail Council of NEPA Doug Knauss, Government Affairs Chair Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society Daniel T. Visnauskas, President Real Estate Recovery Services, Inc. Elizabeth Krug, Board President Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association James E. Jordan, Jr., Executive Director Red Clay Valley Association Scott R. Becker, Executive Director Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Leslie Pierce, Manager Regional Trail Corporation David J. Robertson, Ph.D., Executive Director Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Patrick Kelley, Manager Resource Land Group, LLC Norene Halvonik, Treasurer The Perryopolis Parks & Recreation Barb Jarmoska, Treasurer Authority Responsible Drilling Alliance

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Augie Carlino, President & CEO Mark N. Platts, President Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area

Emily Buka, Executive Director Trish Carothers, Executive Director Riverside Center for Innovation Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

John Makosky, President Court Gould, Executive Director Scagburners Snowmobile Club in Central Pa Sustainable Pittsburgh

Linda Stephens, Secretary & Treasurer Ron Ramsey, Sr. Policy Advisor Schuylkill County Conservancy The Nature Conservancy, PA Chapter

Kurt D. Zwikl, Executive Director Karen Budd, Trustee National & State Heritage Jim Engel, Executive Director Area Tinicum Conservancy

Linda S. Sieber, Chair Ed Camelli, President Shermans Creek Conservation Association, Trail Creek Outfitters Inc. Mary Schorse, Managing Director Todd A. Zeigler, Manager The Tropical Re-Leaf Foundation Shrewsbury Township, York County Anthony Cucchi, PA/NJ State Director Kristy A. Owens, Manager The Trust for Public Land Silver Spring Township Parks & Recreation April L. Temple, Executive Director Robert Merrill, Chair The Trust for Tomorrow Society of American Foresters, PA Division Thomas D. Saunders, President & CEO James Moses, President Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Somerset County Conservancy Ron Rohall, Board of Directors Chairman Ellie Hyde, Chair Westmoreland Conservation District The South Branch Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Coalition Ted Kopas, Commissioner Westmoreland County Richard Terry, President Southeast Montgomery County Trout Christopher Kocher, President Unlimited Wildlands Conservancy

Ed Lawver, Secretary & Treasurer Jeanne B. Van Alen, Executive Director Southern Potter Snowmobile Club Willistown Conservation Trust

Lisa Minardi, President Christopher Reilly, Commissioner The Speaker’s House York County

Judi Sittler, Chair Carl Knoch, Chairman Spring Creek Watershed Association York County Rail Trail Authority

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