Catskill Center Praises Strong Commitment to the Catskill Park in New York State Budget

New York State has passed a budget with a clear commitment to our environment, and more specifically a strong commitment to the Catskill Park. The final budget includes a $500 million Clean Water Infrastructure Act, $300 million Environmental Protect Fund, and the approval of a $3 billion environmental bond ballot initiative set for the November 2022 ballot.

Funding within the Environmental Protection Fund for the Catskill Park includes:

• $100,000 for the Catskill Science Collaborative;

• $150,000 for the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center;

• $500,000 for the Cornell Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Project;

• $1,000,000 for the Belleayre Ski Center;

• $1,550,000 for Visitor Safety and Wilderness Protection in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves; and

• $2,000,000 for Community Smart Growth Grants in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

Thanks to the leadership of Senator Michelle Hinchey, $100,000 was secured for Catskill Park Stewardship under Aid to Localities funding. This funding is to be directed to the Catskill Center and Catskill Mountainkeeper to expand the number of seasonal Catskill Stewards that will be placed in high-use areas across the Catskills.

“New York State Leaders have passed a budget that will directly benefit the protection of the Catskill Park, help communities within the Park, and help to address high-use challenges in the region.” said Catskill Center Executive Director, Jeff Senterman. “We praise Senator Hinchey’s leadership for the Catskill Park and are grateful for the support of the Governor, Assembly and Senate in ensuring that the Catskill Park and its communities receive the funding and support that they need to protect wild areas, and help our local economies thrive.”