$625 Million Authorized for Environmental Improvement

In the early hours of July 7, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation to implement the $625 million Growing Greener bond approved by voters in the May primary election. With nearly 61 percent approving the measure, Pennsylvania voters made a strong statement of support for conservation of our commonwealth's resources, protection and restoration of our environment, and revitalization of our communities. On July 7, our elected officials responded to the wishes of the voters. Growing Greener will help us protect our land and water, while restoring resilience to the landscape that sustains all Pennsylvanians.

The bond will increase the Growing Greener funding program begun under the Ridge/Schweiker administration and continued under Gov. Rendell. Funds will be used for open space, forest, and farmland preservation; watershed protection; abandoned mine reclamation; acid mine drainage remediation and other environmental programs.

Pennsylvania has made impressive progress in solving environmental problems, but significant work lies ahead. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, working together with partner organizations, conservation districts, local governments, state agencies and thousands of community volunteers will tackle some of Pennsylvania's most urgent needs.

Growing Greener funding will help address the challenge of abandoned coal mines in 44 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Drainage from abandoned coal mines is Pennsylvania's number one source of water pollution .2,400 miles of streams are sterile and unusable. More than 250,000 acres of these abandoned mines must be reclaimed.

Growing Greener will help to preserve open spaces, forests, and farmland in Pennsylvania, which is being consumed by sprawl at an alarming rate of nearly 300 football fields each day. While Pennsylvania's ten largest urban areas grew in population by 13 percent in 30 years, the amount of land paved and developed grew by 80 percent.

Thanks to Pennsylvania's voters, members of the Legislature, Governor Rendell and organizations and community volunteers across the state, the Growing Greener bond funding will allow the Commonwealth to continue its substantial investment in environmental improvements to land and water protection across the state. For the people of Pennsylvania, Growing Greener means a healthier, safer and richer quality of life, and a legacy for generations to come.

 

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