FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Senterman, jsenterman@catskillcenter.org, 845-768-2657

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

ARKVILLE, NY -- The Catskill Center praises Senator Michelle Hinchey’s leadership on Catskill Park funding, and Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Assembly, and the New York State Senate for passing 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.

“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 applaud Senator Michelle 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.”

Catskills Visitor Center Funding

Under the Environmental Protection Fund, this year’s budget includes $150,000 to help fund operations and programs of the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC).

A partnership between the Catskill Center and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the Catskills Visitor Center is the official visitor center for the 700,000-acre Catskill Park. Located in Mt. Tremper, New York on State Rte. 28 near the entrance to the Park, it welcomes thousands of people each year to the region. CVC visitors can experience exhibits, special programs and events, pick up local maps, guides and gear, and get friendly advice from CVC staff and volunteers.. The CVC’s 60-acre property has accessible nature trails, including a path along the Esopus Creek, and an 80-foot fire tower overlooking the area.

In the short-term, this funding will assist the Catskill Center in continuing to develop online resources, programs and events to allow visitors to virtually visit the Catskill Park or to better plan their next in-person visit. In the longer term, this funding will help support on-site staffing and expanded programming, including new curriculum and activities for visiting school groups.

Environmental Protection Fund

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will be funded at $300 million this year, including $30 million for new open space land protection projects, some of which could be in the Catskill Park.

Funding for “state land stewardship” increased slightly. This funding supports ongoing efforts to care for Catskill Park Forest Preserve lands and infrastructure, and could support shuttles, education, and other components of a strategic effort to manage visitor traffic to high-use areas in the Catskill Park. The funding could also support the recommendations of the Catskill Strategic Planning Advisory Group, of which the Catskill Center is a member, and who will produce recommendations to help manage areas of high-use by the end of 2021.

$13 million in funding for invasive species controls is available in the EPF. In the Catskills, these funds support efforts like the Catskill Center’s Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) and the Invasive Species Strike Team.

The EPF includes $100,000 for the Catskill Science Collaborative at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, $500,000 for the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Project at Cornell University, $1 million for Belleayre Mountain, $1,550,000 for Visitor Safety and Wilderness Protection in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves, and $2 million for community Smart Growth Grants in the Catskill and Adirondack Parks.

In addition to these specific categories, the EPF pays for open space, parks, solid waste and recycling facilities, environmental justice programs, and climate change mitigation/adaptation measures throughout the Catskills and across New York State.

Aid to Localities Funding

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

Environmental Bond Act

Included in the Budget is a historic $3 billion Environmental Bond Act, which will provide funding for key investments in local infrastructure and environmental restoration. These investments will help communities across New York prepare for flooding, rising seas, and dangerous extreme heat. The bond act will go to voters for approval on the ballot in November of 2022.

###