In June, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that will dedicate $56 million from the state’s most successful recycling program—our bottle deposit law—to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in the coming years. This bill will help grow the EPF and benefit communities across New York.
New York collects more than $100 million from unclaimed bottle deposits every year. The pending EPF bill will ensure that some of these revenues are allocated to protect our parks, clean water, local farms, and zoos, provide funding for waterfront redevelopment and recycling programs, and create local jobs that boost New York’s economy. Now, we need Governor Cuomo to sign the legislation into law.
EPF funds have supported the Round Ball Conservation Area
EPF funds have supported the Harlem Valley Rail Trail extension
EPF Supports Vital Land Conservation
The EPF funds programs specifically designed to acquire and maintain park land and high value open spaces, to support farmland protection, to protect drinking water supplies, and to study and protect of sensitive ecological systems. This includes programs assisting farmers in complying with environmental regulations and good stewardship of the land and to assist communities and organizations in achieving significant conservation goals.
Call Governor Cuomo
(518) 474-8390
Sample Phone Message
Thank you, Governor, for maintaining the Environmental Protection Fund in this year’s state budget. Please show how much you love New York by signing legislation to grow the EPF in the future with money from the Bottle Bill. A stronger EPF will do even more to protect our natural resources and public health, while providing clean, green jobs and economic development opportunities.
Thank you for your support.
Write or Email Governor Cuomo
You can write the Governor through his website or send a letter to:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Executive Chamber
New York State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Sample Letter
Dear Governor Cuomo:
Thank you for maintaining the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in this year’s state budget.
Please show how much you love New York by signing legislation to grow the EPF in the future with money from the Bottle Bill (A.10519 Sweeney / S.7525 Grisanti). A bigger EPF will do even more to protect our natural resources while investing in public health, jobs and economic development opportunities in communities across the state.
A recent study by the Trust for Public Land shows the EPF delivers big returns—$7 for every $1 invested. EPF programs support New York’s $13 billion outdoor tourism industry and farms that contribute $23 billion to the state’s economy. These programs also safeguard our drinking water supplies, support our robust tourism industry, and help redevelop community parks and waterfronts connecting people with nature.
By investing public dollars in natural assets that create or sustain jobs, reduce costs to municipalities and businesses, and improve our quality of life, this program can be a cornerstone of your new New York. Now is the time to commit to growing the EPF so that we can make the most of programs that benefit the environment and the economy.
A strengthened EPF will do much more to protect New York’s vital natural resources and public health, while providing clean, green jobs and economic development opportunities.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
