State Lawmakers Talk Enviroment in Whitemarsh

Democratic lawmakers from around the state came to Whitemarsh on Tuesday for a hearing regarding finding new funding for the state’s Growing Greener initiative.

Rep Mike Gerber (148/D – Montgomery) hosted the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing at the , where Democrats from around the across the state heard testimony about the impacts of Growing Greener.

Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition, described the program as a stewardship fund that “provides funds to communities and non-profit organizations to help restore and protect local watersheds, clean up abandoned mines, preserve and acquire farmland and open spaces and lessen non point source pollution from entering waterways.”

According to Heath, Montgomery County has received over $31 million in the last 12 years through the program, used for preserving over 4,000 acres of farmland.

Heath said the program would need new funding measure if it was to continue in the coming years.

“Of the estimated $70 million coming into [the program], $42.5 million is being diverted from investments in our local communities to paying the Growing Greener II bond debt service, leaving on 27.4 million for grants and projects,” he said. “This is a reduction of over 80 percent from the $150 million average annual amount available over the last six years.”

Dulcie Flaharty, executive director for the Montgomery County Lands Trust, gave a presentation to the committee highlighting the economic value of protected open space in the area, saying that preserving open spaces can lead to increased property values, natural environmental services, savings on recreation and health and increased jobs.

“Renewing Growing Greener is one of those really important things that we have to do,” she said.”

Gerber commented that, while he and fellow representative Josh Shapiro (153-D/ Montgomery) have been long time supporters of the program since their election into office, it would likely take a prolonged campaign to secure permanent funding for Growing Greener.

“When we first came in 2004, 2005, our colleagues around the commonwealth were already championing this program,” he said. “It took a long-term, sustained statewide effort to build awareness. I suspect that if we have any chance getting a permanent program in place, I think we’re looking at the beginning stages of that effort. It’s going to take a committee, sustained effort.”

Shapiro said that the wide range of Democrats from across the state present at the hearing shows seriousness about wanting to find ways to fund environmental program.

“I think what this demonstrates is not just the importance of the issue, but the commitment that the Democratic Party has made to funding our environment,” he said.