U.S. Capitol, ca. 1920 - Theodor Horydczak/Library of Congress

Periodically, the folks in The Trust for Public Land’s Federal Affairs department prepare a summary of conservation news from the nation’s capitol.

Story Summaries
(Details on all stories here)

FY 2012 Budget Complete; Many Conservation Programs Survive Difficult Budget Year
On December 23, President Obama signed into law the Fiscal Year 2012 Omnibus Appropriations bill, thus completing the annual budget and appropriations process. This Omnibus bill covers 9 of the 12 individual appropriations bills; the other 3 were included in a “minibus” approved by Congress in late November. Despite the significant focus in Washington on cutting spending, many conservation programs survived the FY 2012 budget process in relatively good standing

LWCF Full Funding Bill Now Stands at 27 Co-Sponsors
On April 15, 2011, Conrad Anker, world-renowned alpine climber—who discovered lost explorer George Mallory’s body on Mt. Everest—testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, the Environment and Related Agencies in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The fund was reduced by 33% in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and could face further cuts. Supported by offshore oil and gas leasing revenues—not taxpayers’ dollars—the LWCF ensures all Americans have access to local community parks and playgrounds and the vast expanses of federal public lands.

Attention Congress: Investing in Land Conservation Helps Our Economy
Over the past year, the annual budget and appropriations process has cut conservation funding disproportionately to its benefits. Key programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, State and Tribal Wildlife Grants and EPA programs have been slashed by more than 30 percent, in contrast to overall non-defense discretionary spending, which has been cut by just 7 percent.

America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative
In 2010, President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative to bring in outside conservation partners to help create his 21st century conservation and recreation agenda. During the summer of 2010, the leadership of the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Army Corps of Engineers conducted approximately 51 listening sessions in various areas across the country to engage adults and youth alike on their conservation vision and how to make the Federal Government a better partner with states, tribes, and local communities.

Transportation Reauthorization Bill Update
When Congress last passed a multiyear transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005, it was set to expire on September 30, 2009. Because the current gas tax does not produce enough revenue to support existing transportation programs, Congress has been struggling to pass another multi-year bill and has only succeeded to date in passing 7 short-term extensions. The current one expires March 31, 2012.

Conservation Tax Incentive Extension Must Wait for 2012
Congress adjourned for the year without extending the conservation tax incentive that encourages landowners to donate conservation easements. While Congress agreed after much wrangling to extend temporarily the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, no action was taken on a multitude of other tax provisions that expire December 31, 2011 or during 2012. This is disappointmenting news for landowners and those in the land trust community who recognize the importance of this conservation tool. If history is any guide, however, it is likely that the incentive will be extended sometime next year and made retroactive.

Farm Bill Set to Expire at the End of FY 2012
Congress adjourned for the year without extending the conservation tax incentive that encourages landowners to donate conservation easements. While Congress agreed after much wrangling to extend temporarily the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, no action was taken on a multitude of other tax provisions that expire December 31, 2011 or during 2012. This is disappointmenting news for landowners and those in the land trust community who recognize the importance of this conservation tool. If history is any guide, however, it is likely that the incentive will be extended sometime next year and made retroactive.

Details on all stories here

Twice each month The Trust for Public Land’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation. As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

California
More on potential Laguna Beach parcel tax

Organizations partner to protect land in the Sierra Nevada

Colorado
Louisville looking at November open space sales tax renewal

A look at San Miguel County open space tax and program

Massachusetts
State makes largest land purchase in nearly a century

Michigan
Opinion piece on Ann Arbor Greenbelt

New Jersey
Ocean City recommended to buy more open space

North Dakota
Groups push state constitutional amendment for land conservation

Ohio
Conflict of interest concern with Granville open space program

Editorial on land trusts in Ohio

Oregon
Editorial on more access to Portland Metro parks

Sherwood looking at similar Tigard bond measure

Pennsylvania
Franklin County group forms to protect open space

Tennessee
Grundy County officials express concern at growing recreation areas

Texas
San Antonio proposing park projects for May bond referendum

Project list begins to form for Austin bond measure

Utah
Asking price on parcel likely too high for open space bond in Park City

Washington
Kitsap County sees open space and trails as boost to economy

Twice each month TPL’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation. As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

Alaska
Juneau putting together park project list for sales tax measure

California
Private funds for California public parks questioned

Sonoma County to tighten rules on ag tax incentive program

New regional greenprint of bay area envisions protection of 1M acres

Colorado
Eagle County approaches 10-year anniversary of open space tax

Connecticut
Groups exploring ways for conservation and economic growth to work together

Illinois
Pols, environmental groups tout open space project

New Jersey
Cumberland County discusses possible hotel tax for open space

Flood-prone areas bill passes in NJ Assembly and Editorial

New Mexico
Voters in Santa Fe to see parks bond on March ballot

Washington
State parks facing increased financial pressures

Twice each month TPL’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation. As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

California
Laguna Beach parcel tax moves towards November ballot

Opposition to Laguna parcel tax

Sacramento County begins to poll on parks parcel tax for November ballot

In Redlands, open space and economic development are not mutually exclusive

Colorado
Garfield County coalition seeks open space program

Aurora benefits from passage of Arapahoe measure

Pitkin County restores open space levy

Florida
Tavares to present park bond to voters again in March

Georgia
After park bond defeat, Dunwoody Council goes back to drawing board

Michigan
Suttons Bay Township Board quiet about park millage overwhelming defeat

Missouri
Park bond measure near approval for St. Louis.

Montana
Proposed Billings park district should seek voter approval

After outcry, City Council leans towards public vote on Billings Park District

New Jersey
Governor’s plan to privatize parks may mean loss of public access

Upper Saddle River residents oppose open space tax

Tenafly voters suspend open space tax

Ocean County considering applying for Green Acres funding, Cape May still declines

Flood prevention bill ok’d by Assembly Panel

New York
Bedford cuts open space funding

Pound Ridge restores open space funding

Ohio
Granville to place open space tax on March ballot

Utah
Park City out of open space funds, considers next steps

Twice each month The Trust for Public Land’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation.  As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

Georgia
Housing issue became focal point of Dunwoody park bond measurefailure

Missouri
St Louis County residents hope to save parks from closure

Opinion piece on St. Louis County parks

Montana
Billings council to consider citywide park district

Opinion piece on park district plan in Billings

New Jersey
Farmland preservation efforts roll along as developmentbacks off

Taxpayers urge Cape May County to reconsider Green Acres Program

Barnegat Township residents raise concerns over open space funds

Haddonfield referendum passes by 2-1 margin

New Mexico
City to decide on March bond projects including parks and trails

Pennsylvania
Franklin Township defeats EIT again

Open space tax wins in Lower Saucon, fails in Allen

Texas
Travis County voters approve parks and road bonds

U.S. Capitol Building, 1917 - Photo: Robert Runyon / Library of Congress

Periodically, the folks in TPL’s Federal Affairs department prepare a summary of conservation news from the nation’s capitol.  Full versions of these stories can be found on The Trust for Public Land’s website.

New Federal Fiscal Year Begins; FY 2012 Budget Still Unclear
With the new federal fiscal year having begun on October 1, it’s a good time to take a look at the status of congressional actions on the federal FY 2012 budget. After the flurry of negotiations and deal-making related to the debt ceiling extension and the deficit in late July, Congress left town for its six-week August recess and returned soon after Labor Day. The focus since then has been squarely on the economy, the President’s jobs package, and the work of the so-called “Supercommittee,” which was established as part of the debt ceiling agreement.

LWCF and Conservation Funding Needs Your Support
As reported in the FY 2012 update on land conservation programs, Congress is working on the FY2012 budget, including the Interior appropriations bill, and has begun deliberations on long-term budgeting decisions through the “super committee” process. Therefore, this is a critical moment to tell your Members of Congress to oppose cuts that would cripple funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and hurt jobs and local economies.

Interior Secretary Salazar Announces Approval of New Urban National Wildlife Refuge
On September 29, 2011, on a dairy farm just south of Albuquerque, New Mexico along the Rio Grande, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced formal establishment of a new urban National Wildlife Refuge. The new refuge–known as Middle Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge–will be established on the land known locally as Price’s Dairy.

Photo: Tom Arthur/Wikipedia Commons

Twice each month TPL’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation. As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

Colorado
Larimer County celebrates its 150th anniversary

Pitkin County open space officials want tax levy restored

Georgia
Op-Ed in support of Dunwoody park acquisition bond

Minnesota
Better reporting of Legacy fund spending isneeded

New Jersey
Morris County open space funds may be used to buy flood-damaged homes

Morris County hits 20,000 preserved acre milestone

New Mexico
Sante Fe council considering spring bond measureswhichcould includeparks and recreation

New York
State property tax cap could hurt Town’s open space acquisitions

Pennsylvania
Franklin Township voters to see open space tax again on November ballot

South Carolina

County Council considers $20M open space bond

Texas
Travis County prepares for park bond vote

In support of Travis County bonds

Twice each month TPL’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation. As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

California
Redlands land sale should fund open space

Open space petitions delivered in Laguna Beach

Will voters still support 2012 water bond?

Colorado
Support for Conservation Easements in the North Fork

Florida
After bond failure last year, Tavares to go back to voters for park bond approval in 2012

Illinois
Chicago lacking in green space

More on Chicago park-poor areas

Mississippi
Southaven voters approve parks tax with 75 percent support

Montana
Missoula City and County have over $5M in open space funds

New Jersey
Barnegatresident criticizes Township open space spending

Oregon
Tigard park board silent on land negotiations from bond measure

Pennsylvania
Monroe county commissioner candidates discuss future of open space

Texas
Rail could crowd out other items like parks in Austin 2012 bond election

Washington
San Juan County seeks to renew land bank tax

St. Pertersburg, Florida - Photo: Darcy Kiefel

Climate change experts always point to energy efficiency as a win-win strategy. Achieving the same ends with less energy reduces carbon emissions and puts money back into the hands of families and businesses. There is broad public agreement that America should develop more energy-efficient technologies and encourage their use.

But the development of new technologies is not the only way to increase energy efficiency. We can also do this by changing where and how we live and by creating greener cities.

Attracting more Americans to live in cities will save energy and reduce carbon emissions. One study found that residents of New York City generated 13,448 pounds less CO2 each year than residents of surrounding suburban areas.

These energy savings come from multiple sources. Most importantly, urban residents use less energy for transportation and live in smaller spaces that require less energy for heat and electricity.

A recent Bloomberg Businessweek.com survey on the most attractive cities in the country included “green space per capita” among its criteria, and ranked leafy Raleigh, North Carolina at the top of its list. Restoring riverfronts, creating parks, and improving non-motorized trails will attract more people to the energy-efficient lifestyle in cities.

But that’s only half the picture. The same “green infrastructure” that increases livability also makes cities more energy efficient.

• Creating paths and greenways for walking and biking reduces driving and other motorized transit
• Increasing natural land lessens the wasteful “heat island effect” that elevates urban air temperatures by as much as 22 degrees Fahrenheit
• Green spaces provide natural stormwater control, lessening energy needed for pumping and treatment

Green cities are like a living system-naturally regulating heat and precipitation.
Investing in urban green space is also good insurance against the impacts of climate change. As the nation witnessed with Hurricane Katrina, cities are vulnerable to the type of extreme weather that has been linked to climate change.

Conserving green spaces, especially wetlands, around low-lying cities makes them less vulnerable to flooding. An average acre of wetland can store a million gallons of water. The Trust for Public Land is helping New Orleans design new “water retention parks” to serve as urban green space in fair weather, and natural drainage during extreme weather events.

America’s cities are pushing forward on this win-win opportunity to mitigate climate change and ensure economic well being. Cities across America have included the conservation of green space as a major element in their climate action plans-New York did this as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC.

As public discourse continues over the need for new infrastructure in America, we should not overlook this “green infrastructure” in our cities as a priority investment that will benefit both the economy and the environment.

—

Editor’s Note: Jad Daley is the director of The Trust for Public Land’s Climate Conservation Program.

Twice each month TPL’s Conservation Finance service publishes links to state and local conservation finance stories from around the nation. As always, TPL’s online LandVote database provides the best source of data on conservation finance measures since 1988.

Georgia
Dunwoody residents prepare to consider parks bond

Michigan
Ann Arbor looks to expand greenbelt

New Jersey
Hopewell Township could consider open space tax

Tenafly Borough residents being asked to freeze open space funding

Ohio
Granville Township lays out open space formula

Pennsylvania
History of Radnor Township open space efforts discussed.

Utah
Salt Lake County may face new bonding rules

Washington
Poll shows Yakima residents would favor small tax hike for parks