House Ways and Means released its Fiscal Year 2010 budget recommendations last week. Many environmental programs received insufficient funding and were disproportionately cut. Some of those hit hardest were the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Trailside Museum and Divisions of State and Urban Parks, which were consolidated into one line item, and the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, for which funds were eliminated.
PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND ASK THEM TO SIGN ONTO AMENDMENTS RESTORING FUNDING TO THESE PROGRAMS!
Amendment 951: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
Amendment Request: $250,000, line 2301-0301
House Ways & Means FY10: $0
Governor FY10: $250,000
FY09 Final: $250,000
Chief Sponsor: Representative Straus
Cosponsors: Representatives Kocot, Patrick, Provost, Smizik, Callahan, and Gobi
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program within the Department of Fish and Game, instituted 23 years ago in partnership with The Conservancy, is one of the most effective Heritage programs in the nation. Heritage staff collects, manages and distributes scientific data about rare and endangered species and habitats. Data guides developers through environmental impact review processes; assists state agencies, municipalities, and private conservation partners to protect resources and manage projects, and makes possible implementation of the Wetlands Protection Act and Endangered Species Act.
Amendment 695: State and Urban Parks and Recreation, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Amendment Request: $52 million, line 2810-0100
House Ways & Means FY10: $48,175,400
Governor FY10: DCR entirely consolidated at $80,189,797
FY09 Final: $56,218,468 (consolidated)
Chief Sponsor: Representative Rush
Cosponsors: Representatives Walsh, Lantigua, Kafka, Smola, and Callahan
DCR manages nearly 500,000 acres of protected land, including state parks, urban parks, and public watersheds that attract over 35 million visitors annually. This is the ninth largest park service in the nation. Over the past decade, visitor services and routine maintenance of the forests and parks have greatly suffered. The lack of adequate staffing and physical maintenance poses potential public health and safety liabilities. The annual operating budget for the combined divisions of DCR has been reduced by over 30% in recent years. Please support necessary funding for responsible stewardship of the Commonwealth's forests and parks, including both ongoing maintenance and enforcement of environmental laws.
Amendment 353: Trailside Museum, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Amendment Request: $400,000, line 2800-9004
House Ways & Means FY10: $0 (consolidated)
Governor FY10: $0 (consolidated)
FY09 Final: $425,000 (pre 9C) & $125,000 (post 9C)
Chief Sponsors: Representatives Galvin and Timilty
Since 1974, Mass Audubon has managed the publicly owned Blue Hills Trailside Museum as the gateway to the Blue Hills State Reservation. The mission of Blue Hills Trailside Museum is to promote awareness, appreciation, and active concern for the nature of Massachusetts among people of all ages and to provide enjoyable, affordable environmental education by drawing upon the natural resources of the Blue Hills Reservation and beyond. The Museum's environmental education programs reach over ninety-nine communities annually, and are often the only source of natural history for many urban youth. Over 200,000 people visit the Museum each year. Funding was cut by more than half from $425,000 to $125,000 in FY09, and is not identified in the Governor's or House Ways and Means budget.
PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!
Locate the name and contact information of your state representative, if you do not already know, by visiting:
SAMPLE MESSAGE
* Give your name and town.
* Ask to speak to the Representative. If he or she is not available, ask to speak to a staff member.
*Encourage them to sign on as cosponsors to House Budget Amendments 353, 695, and 951. Tell them you support these amendments and would like to see them accepted into the final House Budget. These amendments would restore vital funding to some of Massachusetts' most valuable environmental services.
Celebrate Earth Day by helping protect the environment of Massachusetts!
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