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Leibell and Galef Recognized as Conservation Champions by Local and State Organizations
Representatives of state and local conservation organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Lands, Scenic Hudson, Friends of the Great Swamp, Putnam County Land Trust, as well as Hudson Highlands Land Trust Executive Director Andy Chmar, met late in July to recognize Senator Vinnie Leibell as one of New York State's Conservation Champions. This recognition was to honor Senator Leibell's support of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) recently approved in Albany. With this approval, legislators made way for an EPF increase of $100 million over two years. The EPF now totals $225 million.
The dedicated trust fund, supported by state real estate transfer revenue, provides for clean water, natural area, farmland and parks protection projects in the Hudson Highlands and across the state. In
addition, the legislators approved the restoration of more than 50 state environmental and parks agency staff and approved a new Conservation Easement Tax Credit.
In his remarks, Senator Leibell said, "I'm proud of our work in the legislature, particularly with the additional $25 million we were able to secure for the EPF, which ultimately benefits and improves the quality of life for everyone living in New York State. I'm honored to be recognized as a Conservation Champion and look forward to working on the important environmental legislation that didn't succeed in this year's session."
In a similar ceremony held at the Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers earlier in the month, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef was also honored as a Conservation Champion, along with State Senator Nick Spano and Assemblyman Adam Bradley.
Assemblywoman Galef was additionally recognized for her sponsorship of legislation requiring training for local planning boards.
Andy Chmar summed up the legislative accomplishments by saying, "Our representatives in Albany came through with two important land protection measures this year a significant increase in the Environmental Protection Fund, and a bill to provide training so members of local boards can do a better job making development decisions. The EPF is crucial to environmental quality, and much of the critical open space preserved in the Hudson Highlands is a direct result of EPF funds being available at the right time. In addition, we have long maintained that a key to land protection is strong, appropriate land use laws implemented wisely. The training bill is an important step toward that goal."
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