|
 |
||||
|
Save New Jersey's Parks!
Governor Corzine's proposed budget includes a devastating 15% cut to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) budget. On April 1st the DEP announced that as a result of the proposed cuts, nine state parks will close and three others will close sections or reduce hours, including Round Valley, Highpoint, Washington Crossing and Monmouth Battlefield State Parks and Bryne State Forest. Significant cuts to DEP's Divisions of Parks & Forestry and Fish & Wildlife threaten camping, fishing, wildlife-watching, swimming and educational programs for kids throughout the state. At the same time, the Garden State Preservation Trust, New Jersey's funding mechanisms for open space, farmland and historic preservation, will run out of money in less than a year and no plan is in place for continued funding. Write your legislators today and tell them that this is not an acceptable way to resolve New Jersey's budget crisis! They should not approve a budget that includes these cuts. They must listen to New Jersey voters and continue to fund our state's parks, wildlife and preservation programs! Send a fax today by clicking "Send This Message" on the right. You can edit the letter at the bottom of this page. Want to do more? Write a brief letter to the editor using the talking points provided and send it to your local newspaper and one or more regional or statewide papers. Also, save the date for the Camp Out at the Capitol on April 23rd at 12:30 PM. Show your State Leaders you care, wear your outdoor gear, bring your own signs and rally to save our parks. For more information, visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , As you may know, Governor Corzine's proposed budget includes a 15% cut to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Because of repeated cuts over the last decade, the DEP cannot absorb an additional cut and still continue to protect New Jersey's environment and administer the programs that are so important to our public health, economy, and quality of life. I am particularly concerned about the proposed cuts to the Divisions of Parks & Forestry and Fish & Wildlife as well as the lack of a clear plan for the renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust, New Jersey's nearly-empty fund for preservation and park creation. Our parks, historic sites and natural areas are integral to the state's economy and ensure a high quality of life in our state. Wildlife-watching, hunting and fishing alone bring in $3.9 billion each year. These area also important places where families can go to spend time together, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors. Our low- and middle-income families are especially dependent upon these public open spaces because they do not have access to private facilities that our higher-earning residents enjoy. Resolving New Jersey's budget crisis by cutting funding for the DEP does not make economic sense. The DEP is 90% self-sustaining, with only 10% of its budget coming from general state funds. In fact, we will lose important revenues from park fees, permit fees and fines and damage our growing ecotourism industry if we make these cuts. These cuts will also result in the inability of our state to provide the matches required to receive federal dollars for conservation work, further exacerbating the budget crisis. This is not a sound strategy for getting the state back on track fiscally. New Jersey voters have repeatedly approved funding for parks and open spaces, even during difficult fiscal times. Less than six months ago, we approved a $200 million bond issue to fund the state's open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs, even while denying two other funding requests. Clearly this is a priority for the people of New Jersey. I urge you to honor that priority by voting NO on any budget that includes the proposed cuts and passing legislation this spring to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust.
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
| Background Information |
Cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):
·The governor's proposed budget would cut the DEP's budget by 15% and eliminate 200-300 jobs at the agency.
·In the 1990's under Governor Whitman the budget was cut by almost a third and a quarter of the staff was laid off, and the agency has not recovered from those losses. In the past five years, an additional 400 jobs have been lost due to hiring freezes. The DEP simply cannot sustain yet another cut and continue to effectively protect the state's environment.
·The DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry has 40% fewer staff members than it did in 1994 and 40% more land to manage.
·The DEP constitutes only 0.7% of the overall state budget. Because of fines, fees, permits, and federal grants, the department is 90% self-sustaining with only 10% of its budget coming from general state funds.
·In fact, cutting DEP will cause the state to LOSE money. The state currently receives federal monies both in the form of matching funds, which will be lost if the state funding is not available.
Cuts to DEP's Division of Parks & Forestry
·DEP has announced that the proposed budget cuts would result in the closing of 9 state parks and portions of 3 other parks. These include
·The closure of public parks will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families who do not have access to private facilities.
·17 million people visit New Jersey's state parks every year, adding $3.9 billion to the state's economy through their wildlife-watching, hunting and fishing activities alone.
·The cuts in parks funding ignore the demonstrated will of the people, who have repeatedly voted to fund preservation programs.
Cuts to DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife:
·State budget cuts and staffing shortages will reduce recreational opportunities and harm the state's ability to care for wildlife species.
·Many businesses across the state rely on wildlife recreation-related income. Legislators must ensure that these dollars continue to be spent in NJ and not be drawn elsewhere.
·Saltwater fishing alone involves over a million people each year, adding $841 million to the state's economy and substantially impacting our tourism industry.
·NJ is a haven for over 70 species of wildlife considered endangered or threatened. Allowing these species to decline to the point where they are required to be protected by law will result in more costly management.
Unclear Future for NJ's Preservation Programs:
·The devastating impacts of the budget cuts to our quality of life and economy highlight the need for a longer-term solution.
·The State Legislature and the Governor must pass legislation this spring to renewal and strengthen the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT).
·Since its creation in 1998, the GSPT programs have preserved over 432,000 acres of parks, open space and farmland.
·New Jersey voters approved one-year of stop gap funding (ballot question #3) sending a clear message to our leaders that continued funding for preservation is a priority during fiscally challenging times.
·If additional funding is not secured, the GSPT will run out of money in twelve months causing preservation efforts throughout the state to come to a grinding halt.
