Open Space Institute praises New York State budget's US$25M increase to Environmental Protection Fund; organization commends funding boost for conservation, parks, clean water programs

Statement from Erik Kulleseid, President & CEO of the Open Space Institute, on Final New York State Budget:

The Open Space Institute thanks Gov. Hochul, Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and other members of the Senate and Assembly for passing a final state budget with important funding for conservation, environmental protection, and parks. We also applaud Sen. Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick for their support for these budget items.

Most significantly, the new budget includes a $25 million increase to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, bringing it to a historic high and providing increased funding for open space preservation and land conservation.  The budget also allocates much-needed support for clean water programs and capital investments at state parks and Department of Environmental Conservation properties, which will protect essential sources of drinking water, expand outdoor recreation opportunities, and make our state parks more welcoming and accessible. 

While it is disappointing that title insurance reform was not included in the final budget after being championed by the Governor and State Senate, OSI looks forward to continuing our dialogue with the administration, the Attorney General’s office, and legislators to identify meaningful solutions to improve the state’s land acquisition processes. New York’s people, wildlife, and communities deserve no less.