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For Immediate
Release
5/27/09
Scarnati Challenges DCNR Statement on State
Budget, Threat to Close Parks
Brockway – State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
questioned several assertions from the state Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources regarding the impact of the Senate-passed state budget plan
for 2009-2010, and called on DCNR to tone down its rhetoric.
"Citizens have, sadly, come to expect some exaggeration
from state agencies seeking additional tax dollars. But the claims made by DCNR
are over the line," said Senator Scarnati. "Citizens understand that the
struggling economy and declining revenues mean the state has to spend less or
raise taxes. The budget passed by the Senate chooses to spend less."
Senator Scarnati, who serves as President Pro Tempore of
the Senate, questioned the following assertions made by DCNR regarding the
2009-2010 budget approved by the Senate (Senate
Bill 850):
Funding DCNR
Senate Bill 850 appropriates approximately $19 million less for the DCNR budget
than proposed by the Governor. DCNR recently failed to successfully close two
bids for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling on state forest land that would
have realized approximately $31 million for the budget. It could also consider
leasing additional state forest lands for Marcellus Shale gas development -- or
use $7 million set aside for a carbon sequestration project – to offset budget
cuts.
Closing State Parks
Acting DCNR Secretary John Quigley recently announced that 35 state parks
would be closed as a result of the reduced state spending in SB 850. How was
that number arrived at? How many parks would close under the Governor's proposed
budget, which cuts state park funding by 4.5 percent? Senator Mary Jo White
(21st District), who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee, has requested this information from DCNR. Until it is released, the
department should refrain from such threats.
Gypsy Moth Spraying
DCNR claims that SB 850 will expose 40,000 acres of forest to gypsy moths. But
the bill allocates $4.387 million for spraying – the same amount authorized by
the Governor for the current year. The department should provide the information
supporting its threat, or withdraw it.
Seedlings for Sale
DCNR claims its program which sells tree seedlings to landowners would be
eliminated under SB 850. Has the department considered pricing the seedlings to
reflect the true cost of the program, rather than relying on a taxpayer subsidy?
Has it considered utilizing money from the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the
Key '93 Fund, or other funds at the department's discretion to augment this
program?
"These are just a few of the gaping holes in DCNR's claims,
which unfortunately amount to raw, political scare tactics," said Scarnati. "To
be successful, the budget process must be conducted in good faith, especially
when we're trying to close a $3 billion deficit without increasing the burden on
taxpayers. Scaring citizens is unproductive and plain wrong. I hope DCNR tones
down the rhetoric and works with the Legislature to pass a responsible state
budget."
Contact:
Todd Nyquist
(717) 787-7084
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