Advocacy Agendas, 2012-2014

Online content

Advocacy Agenda - 2012

The following is PTNY’s advocacy agenda for 2012. The policies and
programs supported by PTNY reflect the essential role of parks, trails and
greenways in New York’s economic growth and in the health of its
residents.

Outdoor recreation is a major component of New York State’s economy
contributing $11.3 billion to the state’s tourism economy each year-over 25
percent of the state’s total tourism industry-according to a 2010 report by
the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

In addition, more than 60% of New Yorkers are overweight or obese -
costing taxpayers $9.9 billion annually in adult obesity-related health care
costs. Parks and trails can help New Yorkers get the physical activity they
and improve their health.

« State Parks
o Reinvest in our state parks - support Governor’s 2012-2013
Budget proposal
o Create a dedicated funding stream for state parks
o Require an evaluation and public disclosure of the impacts of
the closing of any state parks
o Develop public-private partnerships
« Environmental Protection Fund (EPF
o Support Governor’s 2012-2013 budget proposal for the EPF
o Take steps now to the grow the Fund in the future
¢ Local Parks
o Protect our parkland - enact parkland alienation legislation
¢ Trails
o State
= Close the gaps - complete the Erie Canalway Trail
« Make active transportation a priority in New York State
= Support trail volunteers
+ Implement complete streets principles
o Federal
+ Preserve federal funding for biking and walking
¢ Parks and Trails
o Federal
: Provide full, dedicated, permanent funding for Land and
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF
o State

» Protect outdoor recreation from hydrofracking

STATE PARKS - protect and revitalize parks for future generations

REINVEST IN OUR STATE PARKS - SUPPORT GOVERNOR’S 2012-
2013 BUDGET PROPOSAL

Support Proposed $89 Million for Park Infrastructure Needs

The Governor’s proposed 2012-2013 Executive Budget includes $89 million
for infrastructure improvements at 48 state parks and historic sites. These
improvements are part of the New York Works Fund to address the state’s
aging infrastructure. Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) applauds the
Governor for making this investment in our state park system and
recognizing the strong connection between economic vitality and outdoor
recreational opportunities.

Despite New York’s legacy as a leader in parks and conservation and our
park system’s importance to the state’s economy, our state parks remain
chronically underfunded. While the most visible threat to the park system
came in 2010, when 88 parks and historic sites were threatened with
closure, the real long-term threat may very well be the park system’s
crumbling infrastructure.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
estimates the capital backlog at $1 billion. This includes critical safety
repairs such as rehabilitating dams, replacing aging water and sewer lines,
and bringing electrical systems into compliance with fire codes.

Investing in our state park system must be a part of any effort to make New
York’s economy sustainable and create jobs. The infusion of capital funding
to address critical infrastructure needs in the state park system is a smart
investment and a great first step in what we hope will be a multi-year
revitalization of the state park system to help ensure New York's parks and
conservation legacy remains intact.

Support Proposed Operating Budget for OPRHP

The Governor’s budget proposal also includes minimal reductions in funding
for OPRHP’s operating budget and does not cut any staff. PTNY supports
the Governor’s proposal. Given the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit,
we are pleased with the Governor’s support for parks and his recognition of
the important link between well-maintained parks and economic growth.

Repeated cuts to operating funds over recent years, however, means that
there are significantly fewer resources dedicated to operations,
maintenance, natural resource protection, and the visitor experience. The
parks operations budget is down 23% from just a few years ago, which has
already translated into less maintenance and reduced hours and services.
Investing in our state park system must be a part of any effort to make New

York's economy sustainable and create jobs. PTNY urges the Governor and
the Legislature to continue their commitment to revitalizing the state park
system.

State Parks provide residents and New York communities with multiple
benefits.

+ According to OPRHP officials, park attendance is at record levels -
more than 57 million people visited New York State parks in 2010.

¢ Parks are economic engines for local communities - annually they
generate $1.9 billion and 20,000 jobs (not including park staff). These
revenues support tourism and small businesses.

+ The benefits state parks provide New York far outweigh their cost.
State parks make up a mere one-fifth of one percent of the total state
budget. For every dollar New York spends on parks, our state’s
economy enjoys a five dollar return.

o Read PTNY's 2012 budget testimony.

Update: We did it! The Governor and Legislature reached a budget
agreement in April that includes great news for our state parks! The final
budget includes $89 million for capital improvements at state parks and
historic sites in every region of the state. This historic infusion of capital
will bring jobs and address critical needs in our state park system, things
like replacing aging water and sewer lines and repairing bridges, roads and
swimming pools. Read PTNY’s press release on the final budget.

CREATE A DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM FOR STATE PARKS

PTNY strongly supports the establishment of a new, dedicated funding
stream for the state park system. Models for public-private partnerships
and dedicated park funding that do not require any new taxes on New
Yorkers exist in other places. A dedicated funding stream for parks can help
revitalize the park system and ensure its integrity for future generations.

The state parks agency is struggling, with 1500 fewer park workers and a
23% decrease in its budget over the last few years - a larger hit than many
other agencies have taken. The Governor’s proposed budget does include
good news for parks -$89 million for infrastructure improvements.
However, parks face a huge backlog of infrastructure needs - to the tune of
$1 billion - to restore deteriorated facilities and address health and safety
needs. A dedicated funding stream for parks can help revitalize the parks
system and ensure its integrity for future generations.

Several options have been proposed, such as an “I Love NYS Parks” license
plate supplement. One option is Pennies for Parks, a proposal for a penny
surcharge on plastic bags, which can provide more than $60 million to

OPRHP for capital needs. A June 2011 poll shows 3 out of 4 New Yorkers
support a one-penny surcharge if the money goes to parks. The surcharge
can be avoided through the use of reusable bags.

o Read our memo in support of Pennies for Parks.

REQUIRE AN EVALUATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE
IMPACTS OF THE CLOSING OF ANY STATE PARKS

Bill A.00693/S.1918 would require OPRHP to prepare a report that lays out
the justification and rationale for the closure of a state park or historic site
subsequent to at least one public hearing and at least six months prior to
closure.

PTNY opposes the closure of any park or historic site in New York State, but
if closures are proposed in the future, this bill would ensure that OPRHP
lays out the justification and rationale for closure, evaluates the impact to
the people of New York and to local communities, and makes those findings
available to the public so stakeholders can have the information needed to
be more constructive partners in possibly developing alternative
management structures to keep open a park or historic site. The bill’s
requirement to hold a public hearing in the impacted area provides a voice
at the table for community leaders, friends groups, and local citizens and
may reveal issues the agency had not previously considered. With a six-
month lead time, stakeholders will have sufficient time to more thoroughly
investigate alternative management arrangements and to attract
benefactors and corporate sponsors.

¢ Read our memo in support of A. 693/S. 1918.

DEVELOP PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

Bill A.5710/S.2749, the Resident Curator bill, authorizes OPRHP to enter
into agreements with private individuals who are willing to invest private
funds to rehabilitate and maintain vacant and at risk residential buildings in
state parks and historic sites for which the agency has no public use and
lacks the funds or staff resources to improve and maintain, in exchange for
receiving a 40-year lease or life estate to live in the building. Ownership of
the structures would remain with OPRHP and, at the end of the lease or
term, control would revert back to the agency.

This bill embodies the type of innovative thinking that must be brought into
play to ameliorate the immense problem of OPRHP’s aging infrastructure
and save some important and historic properties. New York has already
approved such public-private partnerships: last year the Governor and
Legislature authorized OPRHP to lease the caretaker’s house and garage at
Buttermilk Falls State Park as a way to encourage private investment in

adaptive reuse of the buildings. Similar programs have also been very
successful in other states.

« Read our memo in support of A. 5710/S. 2749.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND (EPF)

SUPPORT GOVERNOR’S 2012-2013 BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE
EPF

The 2012-2013 state budget includes $134 million for the EPF, the same
level of funding as last year. PTNY commends the Governor for maintaining
the Fund and neither “offloading” new programs or costs to the EPF nor
“sweeping” funds from the EPF into the General Fund.

A June 2011 statewide survey of New York voters found that more than two-
thirds believe that we can promote a strong economy and clean
environment at the same time. The EPF does both by providing a 7-1 return
on investment on projects that create parks and trails and protect farmland,
state forests, and open space.

Update: Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, the final state budget
included $134 million for the EPF, maintaining the fund at last year's level.

TAKE STEPS NOW TO GROW THE FUND IN THE FUTURE

In the context of another multi-billion dollar state budget deficit,
maintaining the fund is an important first step towards achieving
sustainable levels of environmental funding. As the economy continues to
improve, in part because of EPF programs, the Fund must grow to meet
existing and future environmental funding needs. In addition to the
appropriation for state fiscal year 2012-2013, there are steps that the
Governor and Legislature can take together in this budget to enhance the
Fund in coming years. By taking these steps now, we can ensure the
deployment of much-needed environmental capital around the state,
creating and protecting jobs, increasing tourism, and safeguarding valuable
natural resources for people and nature. PTNY urges the Legislature and
Governor to include one or more of these concepts, to take effect in future
years, in the SFY12-13 State Budget.

« Increase Real Estate Transfer Tax Revenue Dedicated to the EPF

« Phase Revenue from the Bottle Bill into the EPF (A.7137-A/S.5403-A)
(Read our bill memo on A.7137-A/S.5403-A.)

« Enable the use of Environmental Facilities Corporation Bonding for
EPF Projects

The EPF is critical to the future of New York’s parks and trails. The EPF
provides funds for

« NYS and local governments to acquire land for trail corridors and
parks;

* municipal parks grants and waterfront revitalization grants, which
fund many local park and trail projects; and

« state land stewardship and public access to state parks, historic sites,
and state forest lands and recreation facilities.

EPF funds generate jobs and important economic, health and quality of life
benefits.

« Arecent analysis by The Trust for Public Land of the economic value
of natural goods and services provided by lands protected through the
EPF found that for every $1 of EPF funds invested, $7 in economic
benefits is returned to the state of New York.

LOCAL PARKS

PROTECT OUR LOCAL PARKLAND - ENACT PARKLAND
ALIENATION LEGISLATION

Parkland alienation is the process by which the use of parkland is
discontinued. As a matter of policy, PTNY opposes any alienation that
results in a net loss of parkland for a community. Bill A.5539/S.1916
provides for a more rigorous review process of proposals to alienate
municipal parkland which would be administered by the Office of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation. It also requires that all parkland
legislation shall include a detailed description of the parcel to be alienated
and the replacement parkland, and a requirement that alienation
authorization not become effective until a municipality has first acquired
and dedicated replacement parkland.

« Read our memo in support of A. 5539/S. 1916.

TRAILS
STATE

CLOSE THE GAPS - COMPLETE THE ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL

The Erie Canalway Trail is now about 75% complete as an off-road path.
When finished it will be the longest multi-use trail in the nation. Already it
attracts visitors from across the world, but the trail cannot realize its full
economic potential and become a premiere tourism destination until it is
complete.

PTNY is working with the office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the New York
State Canal Corporation, Congressional representatives, the Canalway

Trails Association New York, and local stakeholders to seek creative
solutions for completing the six remaining gaps outlined in the report
Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie Canalway Trail:

Amherst to Lockport (Niagara County; 6 mi.),

Lyons to Port Byron (Wayne, Seneca and Cayuga Counties; 30 mi.);
Camillus to DeWitt (through Syracuse; 12 mi.);

Utica to Little Falls (Oneida and Herkimer Counties; 20 mi.);
Amsterdam to Rotterdam Jct. (Montgomery and Schenectady
Counties; 7 mi.);

Cohoes to Watervliet via Green Island (Albany County; 5 mi.).

PTNY will work with the Canalway Trails Association New York to:

Continue to publicize the need to close the gaps;

Facilitate meetings of the local working groups;

Meet with local and state legislators, Congressional representatives,
and the regional economic development councils to emphasize that
completion of the Canalway Trail is a priority project that will make a
significant contribution to quality of life attributes needed to attract
and retain jobs and improve the economy of more than 200
communities upstate; and

Support applications for transportation enhancements, municipal
park, and Canal Greenway grant funding that build new trail
segments.

MAKE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION A PRIORITY IN NEW YORK
STATE

Reconvene the NYS Department of Transportation’s (DOT) statewide
bicycle-pedestrian task force.

Create a plan for a statewide, interconnected network of multi-use
trails.

Make Transportation Enhancements Program funds available for
bicycling and walking projects. Despite promises to do so for more
than a year, NYSDOT has yet to announce a new round of applications
for this program that communities heavily rely on to build trails and
greenways. PTNY urges NYSDOT to make these funds available so
they can be used to create jobs and help revitalize communities across
the state.

SUPPORT TRAIL VOLUNTEERS

Urge NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP and the NYS Canal Corporation to create
a standard registration form for volunteers working on lands owned

and managed by NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP or the NYS Canal
Corporation.

« Volunteer groups and individuals must now pay a $15 to $25 work
permit fee for the privilege of donating their time, talent, and
materials to improving the Erie Canal, the Canalway Trail, and other
associated Canal Corporation lands. Allow the Canal Corporation to
waive a fee for a work permit for work on canal lands if the
corporation believes the project subject to the permit would add value
to canal lands without any cost to the canal corporation or the state.

= Read our memo in support of S.04912/A.05095.
» Update: This bill was passed and signed into law by the
Governor in August.

IMPLEMENT COMPLETE STREETS PRINCIPLES

New York State took an important step last summer towards safer streets
for everyone by passing Complete Streets legislation. Complete Streets
design principles assure that when roads are built or redesigned, they take
into account the needs of everyone who uses them. The law requires
consideration of people of all ages walking, riding bicycles, driving cars,
and taking public transportation in any transportation project that uses
federal and state funds, including the construction, reconstruction,
restriping, and rehabilitation of roadways. Implementation of these
principles is left to the discretion of state and local government. PTNY urges
NYSDOT and the MPOs to actively support and foster understanding of
Complete Streets among practitioners at all levels of government. A report
on implementation and best practices is due within two years.

FEDERAL

PRESERVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BIKING AND WALKING

Both the House and Senate committees have passed transportation bills
that either eliminate or seriously decrease funding for Transportation
Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails - programs
that during the last 20 years have been directly responsible for creation of
thousands of miles of trails and increased participation in bicycling and
walking.

In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved
H.R. 7 or the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act which
eliminates:

« dedicated funding for the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program
- it becomes an optional program

« the Safe Routes to School programs

« state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator positions

¢ all funding for rail trails and rail corridor preservation and historic
projects, including canal corridors and railroad facilities

Learn more.

In the Senate, the Environmental and Public Works (EPW) Committee
passed S. 1813 or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP 21)
which dramatically reduces the available funding for Transportation
Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and Safe Routes to School programs.
Learn more.

PARKS & TRAILS
FEDERAL

PROVIDE FULL, DEDICATED, PERMANENT FUNDING FOR LAND
AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF)

PTNY supports dedicated funding to the LWCF at $900 million, the
maximum level authorized by Congress, without further appropriation and
including $125 for the stateside program. The LWCF has done more than
any other program to expand the systems of local parks, recreational green
spaces and public lands enjoyed by hundreds of millions of Americans. The
LWCF is the federal government's principal means of assisting in the
preservation of outdoor recreation resources including parks, trails, and
wildlife lands. LWCF is funded from a fraction of the proceeds from federal
offshore oil and gas leasing royalties, and uses no taxpayer dollars.

Of greatest importance to New York is the stateside program which
provides matching grants to states and local governments for public
outdoor recreation areas and facilities. This is the only way states such as
New York, with few national parks and little federal land, can receive their
fair share of LWCF funds. In New York, OPRHP uses stateside program
monies for stewardship and acquisition of state park lands and trail
corridors as well as to fund grants to local governments for the acquisition,
development and/or rehabilitation of outdoor park and recreation facilities
including trails. As OPRHP’s municipal grants program has been reduced by
cuts to the EPF, there is an even greater need to ensure that New York
receives funding from the LWCF stateside program.

STATE

PROTECT OUTDOOR RECREATION FROM HYDROFRACKING

regulations include a recommendation that surface drilling be banned on
state-owned lands -- including parks and trails - the proposed regulations do
not go far enough to protect public recreation lands. PTNY urges the
Governor and the DEC to protect public recreation lands from
hydrofracking as well as complete thorough analyses on the impacts of
hydrofracking on these lands and the region’s tourism economy. Read
PTNY’s full comments submitted to the DEC.

Advocacy Agenda - 2013

The following is PTNY’s advocacy agenda for 2013. The policies and
programs supported by PTNY reflect the essential role of parks, trails and
greenways in New York’s economic growth, the health of its residents, and
the long-term resiliency and sustainability of its communities.

Outdoor recreation is a major component of New York State’s economy
contributing $11.3 billion to the state’s tourism economy each year-over 21
percent of the state’s total tourism industry-according to a 2010 report by
the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

In the wake of more frequent and severe weather events, parks, trails and
greenways also provide natural protective systems while keeping the lands
they occupy in productive, attractive use. Walkways and bicycling
infrastructure preserve the ability for people to safely get to work, school
and shops when storms interrupt motorized transport, especially in dense
urban areas.

In 2013, PTNY will work to promote policies and programs that protect,
promote and enhance New York’s parks, trails and greenways, and to
ensure that these natural, recreational and cultural treasures are an
integral part of the state’s economic, health, and environmental strategies.

« State Parks

o Keep the momentum going for state parks

» Support $100 million in NY Works funding
» Maintain operating budget of OPRHP

o Create a dedicated funding stream for state parks

o Develop public-private partnerships to save historic structures
« Environmental Protection Fund (EPF

o Support Funding for the EPF at $164 million

o Take steps now to the grow the Fund in the future

o Sustainable funding for environmental agencies
¢ Local Parks

o Protect our parkland - enact parkland alienation legislation
¢ Trails

o Close the gaps - complete the Erie Canalway Trail

o Make active transportation a priority in New York State

o Develop roll-on service for bicycles on Amtrak trains serving

New York State

o Implement complete streets principles
¢ Parks and Trails

o Federal

» Provide full, dedicated, permanent funding for Land and
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF
o State
«= Support park and trail volunteers

» Protect outdoor recreation from hydrofracking _

STATE PARKS
Protect and revitalize parks for future generations

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING FOR STATE PARKS
¢ Support $100 million in NY Works funding for capital projects

Last year, the Governor and Legislature reached a budget agreement that
included great news for our state parks. The final budget included $89
million - leveraged to $143 million - for capital improvements at state parks
and historic sites in every region of the state. This historic infusion of
capital has brought jobs and addressed critical needs in our state park
system, things like replacing aging water and sewer lines and repairing
bridges, roads and swimming pools.

PTNY applauds the Governor for making this investment in our state park
system and recognizing the strong connection between economic vitality
and outdoor recreational opportunities. Let’s keep the momentum going in
2013 with another round of NY Works funding for state parks infrastructure
improvements.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
estimates the capital backlog at more than $1 billion. This includes critical
safety repairs such as rehabilitating dams, replacing aging water and sewer
lines, and bringing electrical systems into compliance with fire codes.

The impacts from Superstorm Sandy, along with last year’s storms, have
only further compounded that need and reinforced the importance of
restoring our park system with long-term resiliency and sustainability in
mind. Investing wisely in parks infrastructure, including both natural and
built infrastructure that utilize sustainable development practices, will
serve as a national model for rebuilding smarter after storms and protect
these treasured places and their surrounding communities from the impacts
of sea level rise and future storms.

¢ Maintain operating budget for OPRHP

Last year’s budget included minimal reductions in funding for OPRHP’s
operating budget and did not cut any staff. Given the state’s multi-billion
dollar budget deficit, we are pleased with the Governor’s support for parks
and his recognition of the important link between well-maintained parks
and economic growth.

State Parks provide residents and New York communities with multiple
benefits.

« According to OPRHP officials, park attendance is at record levels -
more than 60 million people visited New York State parks in 2012;
that’s up 1 million from the year before.

¢ Parks are economic engines for local communities. According to a
study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York, parks generate $1.9
billion and 20,000 jobs (not including park staff) annually. These
revenues support tourism and small businesses.

CREATE A DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM FOR STATE PARKS

PTNY strongly supports the establishment of a new, dedicated funding
stream for the state park system, such as Pennies for Parks. Models for
public-private partnerships and dedicated park funding that do not require
any new taxes on New Yorkers exist in other places. A dedicated funding
stream for parks can help revitalize the park system and ensure its integrity
for future generations.

The state parks agency is struggling, with 1,500 fewer park workers and a
23% decrease in its budget over the last few years - a larger hit than many
other agencies have taken. State parks face a huge backlog of
infrastructure needs - to the tune of more than $1 billion - to restore
deteriorated facilities and address health and safety needs. A dedicated
funding stream for parks can help revitalize the parks system and ensure its
integrity for future generations.

One option is Pennies for Parks, a proposal for a surcharge on disposable
bags, which can provide generate an estimated $70 million per penny
charged to OPRHP for capital needs.

Reducing New Yorkers’ use of disposable bags also has the added “wins” of
reducing litter, waste, and New York’s contribution to greenhouse gases
and dependence on oil. And, a surcharge is supported by the public: polling
shows 3 out of 4 New Yorkers support a surcharge if the money goes to
parks. The surcharge can be avoided through the use of reusable bags.

Several other options have been proposed or have been implemented in
other states, such as an “I Love NYS Parks” license plate supplement, a
voluntary tax check-off for parks, or a voluntary donation as part of vehicle
registration.

DEVELOP PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO SAVE HISTORIC
STRUCTURES

Innovative thinking is needed to ameliorate the immense problem of
OPRHP’s aging infrastructure and save some important and historic
properties. PTNY supports authorizing OPRHP, after careful consideration
of terms to protect the public interest, to enter into agreements with private
individuals who are willing to invest private funds to rehabilitate and
maintain vacant and at-risk residential buildings in state parks and historic
sites for which the agency has no public use and lacks the funds or staff
resources to improve and maintain, in exchange for receiving a long-term
lease or life estate to live in the building. In such a partnership, ownership
of the structures would remain with OPRHP and, at the end of the lease or
term, control would revert back to the agency.

New York has already approved such public-private partnerships: the
Governor and Legislature authorized OPRHP to lease the caretaker’s house
and garage at Buttermilk Falls State Park in 2011 and to lease buildings at
Knox Farm State Park in 2012 as a way to encourage private investment in
adaptive reuse of the buildings. Similar programs have also been very
successful in other states.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND (EPF)
SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE EPF AT $164 MILLION

Through the EPF, New York is conserving and enhancing farms, forests,
rivers, beaches, and lakes. The EPF is supporting community parks and
trails, recycling programs, and zoos and botanical gardens. EPF programs
improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers, attracting businesses,
creating jobs and protecting our water, air, and natural heritage.

The EPF is critical to the future of New York’s parks and trails. The EPF
provides funds for
« NYS and local governments to acquire land for trail corridors and
parks;
« municipal parks grants and waterfront revitalization grants, which
fund many local park and trail projects; and
« state land stewardship and public access to state parks, historic sites,
and state forest lands and recreation facilities.

Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, the FY2012-2013 budget included
$134 million for the EPF, maintaining the fund at the previous year's level.
PTNY commends the Governor for maintaining the EPF and neither
“offloading” new programs or costs to the EPF nor “sweeping” funds from
the EPF into the General Fund.

Unfortunately, current demand for EPF programs far outpaces
appropriations and spending. Delays and long waiting lists for EPF dollars
continue to threaten opportunities to leverage millions of dollars from local,
federal and private sources.

2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of the EPF, New York’s
precedent-setting commitment to funding environmental conservation and
restoration projects. Particularly in light of the extensive damage to our
communities wrought by Hurricane Sandy, and previously by Hurricane
Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, this historic moment should be used to
strengthen this hallmark environmental program as part of the state’s
efforts to invest in healthy communities, establish sustainable and resilient
infrastructure, and reinvigorate New York’s economy.

A June 2011 statewide survey of New York voters found that more than two-
thirds believe that we can promote a strong economy and clean
environment at the same time. The EPF does both: a recent analysis by The
Trust for Public Land of the economic value of natural goods and services
provided by lands protected through the EPF found that for every $1 of EPF
funds invested, $7 in economic benefits is returned to the state of New
York.

TAKE STEPS NOW TO GROW THE FUND IN THE FUTURE

As the economy continues to improve, in part because of EPF programs, the
Fund must grow to meet existing and future environmental funding needs.
In addition to the appropriation for state fiscal year 2013-2014, there are
steps that the Governor and Legislature can take together in this budget to
enhance the Fund in coming years. By taking these steps now, we can
ensure the deployment of much-needed environmental capital around the
state, creating and protecting jobs, increasing tourism, and safeguarding
valuable natural resources for people and nature. PTNY urges the
Legislature and Governor to include one or more of these concepts, to take
effect in future years, in the SFY13-14 State Budget.

« Increase Real Estate Transfer Tax revenue dedicated to the EPF
« Phase revenue from the Bottle Bill into the EPF

SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES

Historic Preservation, Department of Agriculture and Markets and
Department of State remain deeply reduced. Staff restorations at each
agency could increase efficiency and effective administration of important
programs.

LOCAL PARKS

PROTECT OUR LOCAL PARKLAND - ENACT PARKLAND
ALIENATION LEGISLATION

Parkland alienation is the process by which the use of parkland is
discontinued. As a matter of policy, PTNY opposes any alienation that
results in a net loss of parkland for a community. PTNY supports a more
rigorous review process of proposals to alienate municipal parkland which
would be administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation. All parkland legislation should also include a detailed
description of the parcel to be alienated and the replacement parkland, and
a requirement that alienation authorization not become effective until a
municipality has first acquired and dedicated replacement parkland. In
addition, a process for tracking alienation actions once they have been
approved is essential to holding municipalities accountable and providing
for transparency.

TRAILS
THE VISION

PTNY’s vision is that all New Yorkers will someday be located only minutes
from a trail and ideally will be able to access that trail easily and safely by
walking or bicycling. Throughout the state, trails, bicycle boulevards, and
complete streets will be acknowledged as an essential and mainstream
element of community infrastructure, much as utility lines and sidewalks
are thought of today. Beyond its borders, New York will be recognized as
one of the most trail-rich and trail-friendly states and will attract visitors
from across the nation and abroad to experience the historic communities
and varied and beautiful landscapes accessible through the state’s trail
network.

CLOSE THE GAPS - COMPLETE THE ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL

The 361-mile Erie Canalway Trail is now more than 75% complete as an off-
road path. When finished it will be the longest multi-use trail in the nation.
Already it attracts visitors from across the world, but the trail cannot realize
its full economic potential and become a premier tourist destination until it
is complete.

As noted in PTNY’s report, Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie

Canalway Trail 2012 there are 84 miles of remaining gaps:
« Lyons to Port Byron (Wayne, Seneca and Cayuga Counties; 24 miles);
¢« Camillus to DeWitt (through Syracuse; 14 miles);
« Utica to Little Falls (Oneida and Herkimer Counties; 20 miles);
« Amsterdam to Rotterdam Jct. (Montgomery and Schenectady
Counties; 8 miles);
+ Cohoes to Watervliet via Green Island (Albany County; 5 miles).

Several factors continue to contribute to closing the remaining gaps:
¢ Limited funding
¢ Lack of defined corridor or route
e Physical obstacles

DEVELOP ROLL-ON SERVICE FOR BICYCLES ON AMTRAK TRAINS

Amtrak serves Buffalo, Albany, and all the major cities along the Erie
Canalway Trail but, despite the fact that bicycles are allowed on trains in
other parts of the country, Amtrak prohibits bikes from being rolled onto
the Albany to Buffalo Maple Leaf, Empire Service, and Lakeshore Limited
trains. Furthermore, while bikes can be boxed and transported in the
baggage car attached to the Lakeshore Limited, most stations along the
Albany to Buffalo route do not have the capacity to handle baggage,
essentially making this service unavailable to almost everyone.

Because of the growing popularity of the Canalway Trail as a bicycling
destination and the higher income level of many touring cyclists, the lack of
roll-on service between Buffalo and Albany is a lost opportunity for Amtrak
and the restaurants, lodging and other businesses in upstate communities
that serve these cyclists. The same lost opportunity holds true for Amtrak
north-south routes in New York State through the Hudson Valley and
Champlain Valley.

MAKE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION A PRIORITY

Communities across the state are eager to provide citizens of all ages and
abilities with safe, healthy, and low-cost active transportation. For more
than two decades federal transportation legislation has helped communities
make that happen by providing funds to build bicycle and pedestrian paths,
bike lanes, sidewalks, and other infrastructure that promotes complete
streets and bicycling and walking.

Communities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects benefit from
improved quality of life, a healthier population, greater local real estate

values, more local travel choices, and reduced air pollution and, as was
demonstrated in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, preserve the ability for
people to safely get to work, school and shops when storms and other
disasters interrupt motorized transportation. Bicycle and pedestrian
projects also generate jobs: According to a study conducted by the Political
Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, every $1
million of spending on bicycle and pedestrian project construction creates
at least 9.6 jobs while road-only projects create just 7.8 jobs.

¢ Establish a dedicated funding in the 2013-14 state budget
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the current
federal transportation bill, reduces funding for trails and bicycle and
pedestrian infrastructure by 30%. Having a dedicated state funding source
will help assure that the level of funding for bike-ped infrastructure is, at
the least maintained, or, optimally, increased. In Delaware, the state budget
now dedicates $15 per capita for bike/ped infrastructure. By comparison,
New York spends less than $5 per capita. Communities also need additional
state assistance because:
a) Local governments have a difficult time with matches and upfront costs
required by federal programs
b) Changed policies for the Marchiselli Program mean that bike/ped
projects may no longer be competitive for state funds to be used as
matches

¢ Direct 100% of the new Transportation Alternatives

program funds to trails and infrastructure projects that

support walking and bicycling.
The new federal transportation law gives New York State and its
metropolitan planning organizations a much a greater role in how to use the
funds allocated to trails and bicycle and pedestrian projects. The pool of
money previously directed specific programs with dedicated funding, such
as the Recreational Trails, Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes
to Schools programs, has been consolidated into the newly-created
Transportation Alternatives (TA) program. States now have great latitude in
deciding how these funds are spent and can even divert half of its TA funds
to non-bicycle-pedestrian projects and opt out completely from the
Recreational Trails program.

It is crucial that the state continue its commitment to complete streets, smart
growth and active transportation. Any diversions of TA funds will significantly
undermine the growing movement to increase opportunities for physical
activity for all New Yorkers.

We also encourage New York State to utilize other MAP-21 funding programs—
such as Highway Safety Improvement, Congestion Management Air Quality,

and Surface Transportation Programs—to help make our communities more
livable and safer for those who walk, bike and take transit to their destinations.

« Release Transportation Enhancement Program funds.
The state currently has as much as $50 million in dedicated, unallocated
funds in the Transportation Enhancements Program. These are funds that
were provided to New York by the previous federal transportation
legislation, TEA-21, and can only be used to fund trails, sidewalks, and
other infrastructure that supports bicycling and walking. Communities are
eager to have the opportunity to apply for these funds yet, it has been four
years since the state has held an application round to distribute them. New
York must act quickly. If these funds are not distributed this year, New
York State will most likely lose them.

« Reconvene the NYS Department of Transportation’s
statewide bicycle-pedestrian task force.

In years past, NYSDOT has convened a statewide Bicycle-Pedestrian
Advisory Committee to serve as a forum for a diverse body of stakeholders,
including state agencies and nonprofits to discuss common issues and offer
feedback on a variety of NYSDOT policies and initiatives related to walking
and bicycling. This committee has not met since 2010. Because of the
growing popularity of walking and biking among New Yorkers for
alternative transportation, recreation, and health we urge that this
committee begin meeting regularly again. The committee could play an
important role in guiding NYSDOT’s efforts to implement Complete Streets
legislation and MAP-21.

¢ Create a plan for a statewide, interconnected network of
multi-use trails.

Numerous volunteer trail organizations and local, regional and state
government agencies are working to develop and maintain more than 1200
miles of multi-use trails across the state. In order to advance trail
development to the level being demanded by our citizens and maximize the
multiple economic, environmental, health, and quality of life benefits that
trails generate, New York State needs to develop a vision and a plan for a
statewide multi-use trail network that will inform acquisition and
development decisions and funding allocations for trail promotion,
development, interpretation, and maintenance.

Creation of that plan needs to be a broad-based effort involving a task force
consisting of representatives of the many state agencies and other groups
whose missions support trail promotion and development. Because trails
are vitally important not only for recreation but also for tourism, health,
alternative transportation, and community revitalization, agencies
representing these other interests must be full partners at the table in order
realize the fullest potential of any planning effort. Input also must be

sought from local governments; regional planning authorities; regional
tourism agencies; regional advisory groups representing the interests of
local conservationists, outdoor and sports enthusiast groups; and federal
agencies involved with greenways and heritage corridors.

IMPLEMENT COMPLETE STREETS PRINCIPLES

New York State took an important step in 2011 towards safer streets for
everyone by passing Complete Streets legislation. Complete Streets design
principles assure that when roads are built or redesigned, they take into
account the needs of everyone who uses them. The law requires
consideration of people of all ages walking, riding bicycles, driving cars,
and taking public transportation in any transportation project that uses
federal and state funds, including the construction, reconstruction,
restriping, and rehabilitation of roadways.

Implementation of these principles is left to the discretion of state and local
government. Infrastructure changes only need to be considered; they are
not required.

Some communities, large and small, urban and rural, have already adopted
their own Complete Streets policies. However, NYSDOT has yet to indicate
how they will respond. PTNY urges NYS DOT and the MPOs to actively
implement Complete Streets in the projects they oversee and support and
foster understanding and implementation of Complete Streets among
practitioners at other levels of government.

PARKS & TRAILS

FEDERAL

PROVIDE FULL, DEDICATED, PERMANENT FUNDING FOR LAND
AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF)

PTNY supports dedicated funding to the LWCF at $900 million, the
maximum level authorized by Congress, without further appropriation and
including $125 million for the stateside program.

The LWCF has done more than any other program to expand the systems of
local parks, recreational green spaces and public lands enjoyed by hundreds
of millions of Americans. The LWCF is the federal government's principal
means of assisting in the preservation of outdoor recreation resources
including parks, trails, and wildlife lands. LWCF is funded from a fraction of

the proceeds from federal offshore oil and gas leasing royalties, and uses no
taxpayer dollars.

STATE
SUPPORT PARK AND TRAIL VOLUNTEERS

PTNY supports the creation of a standard, universal registration form for
volunteers working on lands owned and managed by NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP
or the NYS Canal Corporation.

Volunteers must currently register to receive permission to help maintain
the network of trails owned and operated by various agencies of the state.
However, sometimes one trail is managed by more than one agency which
means that volunteers have to fill out more than one form, because each
agency has their own form which requires different information. To make
the registration process less confusing and more attractive to volunteers,
NYS DEC, NYS OPRHP and the NYS Canal Corporation must simply the
process and establish one volunteer registration form that applies to all
state-owned resources.

PROTECT OUTDOOR RECREATION FROM HYDROFRACKING

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a
revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement along
with Proposed High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations in 2011 and
accepted comments on both until January 2012. In late November, DEC
filed for a 90-day extension of the rule-making process as the state works to
complete a health impact study of the high-volume hydraulic fracturing
process. In doing so, DEC released revisions to its proposed regulations,
opening another public comment period.

Governor and the DEC to protect public recreation lands from
hydrofracking as well as complete a thorough analysis of the impacts of
hydrofracking on these lands and the region’s tourism economy. Read
PTNY’s full comments submitted to the DEC.

Advocacy Agenda - 2014

The following is PTNY’s advocacy agenda for 2014. The policies and
programs supported by PTNY reflect the essential role of parks, trails and
greenways in New York’s economic growth, the health of its residents, and
the long-term resiliency and sustainability of its communities.

Outdoor recreation in New York generates $33.8 billion in consumer
spending, 305,000 direct jobs, and $12.4 billion in wages and salaries.!
Active outdoor recreation generates annual state and local tax revenues in
New York of $2.8 billion. In addition, more than 60% of New Yorkers are
overweight or obese - costing taxpayers $11.1 billion (in 2009 dollars)
annually in adult obesity-related health care costs. Parks and trails can help
New Yorkers get the physical activity they need to improve their health.

In the wake of more frequent and severe weather events, parks, trails and
greenways also make our state more resilient, providing natural protective
systems while keeping the lands they occupy in productive, attractive use.
Walkways and bicycling infrastructure provide opportunities for active
transportation alternatives for people to safely get to work, school and
shops especially when storms interrupt motorized transport.

In 2014, PTNY will work to promote policies and programs that protect,
promote and enhance New York’s parks, trails and greenways, and to
ensure that these natural, recreational and cultural treasures are an
integral part of the state’s economic, transportation, health, and
environmental strategies.

¢« State Parks
o Keep the momentum going for state parks
» Support a capital investment of $90 million
« Enhance operating budget of OPRHP

ir ea ;
o Develop public-private partnerships to save historic structures
« Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

o Support a $200 million appropriation for the EPF

o Provide sustainable funding for environmental agencies
¢« Local Parks

o Protect our parkland - enact strong parkland alienation

legislation

¢ Trails and Active Transportation

o Close the gaps - complete the Erie Canalway Trail
o Develop roll-on service for bicycles on Amtrak trains serving
New York State

1Qutdoor Industry Foundation, 2013. The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy.
http://ww. industry.or e_reports/NY-newyork- recreationec: -oia.pdf

o Make active transportation a priority in New York State
o Implement complete streets principles
¢ Parks and Trails
o Federal
+ Provide full, dedicated, permanent funding for Land and
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
= Improve the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians
o State
=» Support park and trail volunteers

+ Protect outdoor recreation from hydrofracking

STATE PARKS

Protect and revitalize parks for future generations
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING FOR PARKS

¢ Support a capital investment of $90 million

Thanks to the leadership of the Governor and the Legislature, state parks
have received an historic infusion of capital funding through the New York
Works initiative to restore and rebuild state parks’ aging and dilapidated
infrastructure. The $179 million committed in the last two state budgets is
breathing new life into a park system that has suffered from decades of
underfunding while creating thousands of local jobs and helping to grow the
state’s economy.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)
estimates the capital backlog at about $1 billion. This includes critical
safety repairs such as rehabilitating dams, replacing aging water and sewer
lines, and bringing electrical systems into compliance with fire codes.

The impacts from the storms of 2011 and 2012 (Irene, Lee and Sandy) have
only further compounded that need and reinforced the importance of
restoring our park system with long-term resiliency and sustainability in
mind. Investing wisely in parks infrastructure, including both natural and

built infrastructure that utilize sustainable development practices, will
serve as a national model for rebuilding smarter after storms and protect
these treasured places and their surrounding communities from the impacts
of sea level rise and future storms.

Continuing to invest in our treasured state park system will keep people
working to help grow New York’s economy sustainably, boost tourism in
communities across the state, and secure our parks and conservation legacy
for future generations. Let’s keep the momentum going in 2014 with
another round of $90 million in NY Works funding for state parks
infrastructure improvements.

¢ Enhance operating budget for OPRHP

Last year’s budget held funding for OPRHP’s operating budget steady and
did not cut any staff. Given the state’s continued fiscal constraints, we are
pleased that OPRHP’s operations budget has held steady. However,
OPRHP’s budget has been cut 23% over the last few years—more than many
agencies—and it is operating today with 1,500 fewer staff than it was in
2008. With decades of underinvestment in state parks, the effects can be
felt on the ground with reduced hours, days, and seasons, fewer programs
and workers, fewer park police, and less maintenance, not to mention fewer
resources dedicated to natural resource protection and the visitor
experience. While significant, capital improvements without sufficient
funding for operations keep the agency struggling to achieve its mission of
“providing safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities
for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards
of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.”

PTNY urges the Governor and Legislature to begin to put OPRHP’s
operations budget on an upward trajectory so that our state parks and
historic sites can more fully realize their potential as destinations and
economic engines for local communities.

State Parks provide residents and New York communities with multiple
benefits:

« According to OPRHP officials, park attendance is at record levels -
more than 60 million people visited New York State parks in 2012;
that’s up 1 million from the year before.

« Parks are economic engines for local communities. According to a
study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York, parks generate $1.9
billion and 20,000 jobs (not including park staff) annually. These
revenues support tourism and small businesses.

« The benefits state parks provide New York far outweigh their cost.
State parks make up a mere one-fifth of one percent of the total state
budget. For every dollar New York spends on parks, our state’s
economy enjoys a five dollar return.

PTNY strongly supports the establishment of a new, dedicated funding
stream for the state park system.

The state parks agency is struggling, with 1,500 fewer park workers and a
23% decrease in its budget over the last few years - a larger hit than many
other agencies have taken. State parks face a huge backlog of
infrastructure needs - to the tune of $1 billion - to restore deteriorated
facilities and address health and safety needs. Visitation, however,
continues to climb - now more than 60 million annually - placing added
pressure on already stressed infrastructure. A dedicated funding stream for
parks can help revitalize the parks system and ensure its integrity for future
generations.

Models for dedicated park funding that do not require any new taxes on
New Yorkers have been proposed or exist in other places, such as an “I
Love NYS Parks” license plate, funds from a surcharge on disposable
grocery bags, a voluntary tax check-off for parks, or a voluntary donation as
part of vehicle registration. Several states use a percentage of a tax—for
example, sales tax, real estate transfer tax, gas tax, etc.—dedicated to
parks.

DEVELOP PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO SAVE HISTORIC
STRUCTURES

Innovative thinking is needed to ameliorate the immense problem of
OPRHP’s aging infrastructure and save some important and historic
properties. PTNY supports authorizing OPRHP, after careful consideration
of terms to protect the public interest, to enter into agreements with private
individuals who are willing to invest private funds to rehabilitate and
maintain vacant and at-risk residential buildings in state parks and historic
sites for which the agency has no public use and lacks the funds or staff
resources to improve and maintain, either in exchange for receiving a long-
term lease or life estate to live in the building or for licenses or leases for
adaptaive reuse. In such partnerships, ownership of the structures would
remain with OPRHP and, at the end of the lease or term, control would
revert back to the agency.

New York has already approved such public-private partnerships: the
Governor and Legislature authorized OPRHP to lease the caretaker’s house

and garage at Buttermilk Falls State Park in 2011 and to lease buildings at
Knox Farm State Park in 2012 as a way to encourage private investment in
adaptive reuse of the buildings. Similar programs have also been very
successful in other states.

« Read our memo of support for $.4757 (Zeldin) / A. 7392 (Markey).
« Read our memo of support for S. 4358-A (Little) / A. 7991 (Markey).

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND (EPF)
SUPPORT A $200 MILLION APPROPRIATION FOR THE EPF

Through the EPF, New York is conserving and enhancing community parks
and trails, farms, forests, rivers, beaches, and lakes. The EPF is supporting
recycling programs, and zoos and botanical gardens. EPF programs
improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers, attracting businesses,
creating jobs and protecting our water, air, and natural heritage.

The EPF is critical to the future of New York’s parks and trails. The EPF,
which celebrated its 20" anniversary in 2013, provides funds for

« NYS and local governments to acquire land for trail corridors and
parks;

« municipal parks grants and waterfront revitalization grants, which
fund many local park and trail projects; and

« state land stewardship and public access to state parks, historic sites,
and state forest lands and recreation facilities.

Particularly in light of the extensive damage to our communities wrought by
Hurricane Sandy, and previously by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm
Lee, the Governor and Legislature should work to strengthen this hallmark
environmental program as part of the state’s efforts to invest in healthy
communities, establish sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and
reinvigorate New York’s economy.

Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, the FY2013-2014 state budget
increased the EPF for the first time since 2008, to $153 million. An
appropriation of $200 million for the EPF in the FY2014-15 budget will
allow us to continue to build on this year’s success. This can be achieved by
increasing the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) revenue dedicated to the
EPF. Continuing the momentum created in 2013 year by further enhancing

and restoring the EPF will generate revenue, build green infrastructure,
protect the environment and clean water, and create jobs in many sectors
throughout New York State.

A June 2011 statewide survey of New York voters found that more than two-
thirds believe that we can promote a strong economy and clean
environment at the same time. The EPF does both: a recent analysis by The
Trust for Public Land of the economic value of natural goods and services
provided by lands protected through the EPF found that for every $1 of EPF
funds invested, $7 in economic benefits is returned to the state of New
York.

PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
AGENCIES

In addition to the need to enhance the EPF in the coming budget, state
agencies responsible for administering the EPF and implementing
important programs that protect our shared environment and public health
need resources adequate to meet existing needs. Staffing levels at the
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of
Environmental Conservation, Department of Agriculture and Markets, and
Department of State remain deeply reduced. Reductions to staff levels at
these agencies by prior administrations were disproportionately large and
must be addressed. Staff restorations at each agency would increase
efficiency and effective administration of important programs.

LOCAL PARKS

PROTECT OUR LOCAL PARKLAND - ENACT STRONG PARKLAND
ALIENATION LEGISLATION

Parkland alienation is the process by which the use of parkland is
discontinued. As a matter of policy, PTNY opposes any alienation that
results in a net loss of parkland for a community. PTNY supports a more
rigorous review process of proposals to alienate municipal parkland which
would be administered by OPRHP. All parkland legislation should be
required to include a detailed description of the parcel to be alienated and
the replacement parkland, and a requirement that alienation authorization
not become effective until a municipality has first acquired and dedicated
replacement parkland. In addition, a process for tracking alienation actions
once they have been approved is essential to holding municipalities
accountable and providing for transparency.

« Read our memo of support for A.5836A/S.928 (parkland alienation
process).

« Read our memo of support for S. 5600 (parkland alienation reporting).

TRAILS AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

The Vision: PTNY’s vision is that all New Yorkers will be located only
minutes from a trail and ideally will be able to access that trail easily and
safely by walking or bicycling. Throughout the state, trails, bicycle
boulevards, and complete streets will be acknowledged as an essential and
mainstream element of community infrastructure, much as utility lines and
sidewalks are thought of today. Beyond its borders, New York will be
recognized as one of the most trail-rich and trail-friendly states and will
attract visitors from across the nation and abroad to experience the historic
communities and varied and beautiful landscapes accessible through the
state’s trail network.

CLOSE THE GAPS - COMPLETE THE ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL

As noted in PTNY’s report, Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie
Canalway Trail 2013, there are 83 miles of remaining gaps:

Amherst to Lockport (Erie and Niagara Counties; 8 miles)

Lyons to Port Byron (Wayne, Seneca and Cayuga Counties; 24 miles)
Camillus to DeWitt (through Syracuse; 14 miles)

Rome (Oneida County; 5 miles)

Utica to Little Falls (Oneida and Herkimer Counties; 19 miles)
Amsterdam to Rotterdam Jct. (Montgomery and Schenectady
Counties; 8 miles)

« Cohoes to Watervliet via Green Island (Albany County; 5 miles)

Several factors continue to contribute to closing the remaining gaps:

- Limited funding
¢ Lack of defined corridor or route
« Physical obstacles

DEVELOP ROLL-ON SERVICE FOR BICYCLES ON AMTRAK TRAINS
Amtrak serves Buffalo, Albany, and all the major communities along the Erie

and Champlain Canalway Trails and the Hudson Valley. Despite the fact
that roll-on bicycles are allowed on trains in other parts of the country,

Amtrak prohibits bikes from being rolled onto the Maple Leaf, Empire
Service, Lakeshore Limited, Adirondack, and Ethan Allen trains.
Furthermore, while bikes can be boxed and transported in the baggage car
attached to the Lakeshore Limited, most stations along the New York-
Albany-Buffalo route do not have the capacity to handle baggage, essentially
making this service unavailable to the majority of potential users.

For more than a decade PTNY has been working to actively promote trail-
related tourism and make New York State a premier tourist destination for
cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. A growing attraction is the ability to
ride the Erie Canalway Trail across the state between Buffalo and Albany.
As attractive as such a ride can be, logistically it can be difficult for cyclists
who don’t want to bike back to where they left their car. Cyclists often
inquire about taking the train back to their starting location.

Because of the growing popularity of the Canalway Trail and other New
York State bicycling destinations and the higher income level of many
touring cyclists, the lack of roll-on service in the state is a lost opportunity
for Amtrak and the restaurants, lodging and other businesses in
communities that serve these cyclists.

MAKE TRAILS AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION A PRIORITY IN
NEW YORK STATE

Communities across the state are eager to provide citizens of all ages and
abilities with safe, healthy, and low-cost active transportation. Communities
that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects benefit from improved quality
of life, a healthier population, greater local real estate values, more active
transportation options, and reduced air pollution and, as was demonstrated
in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the ability for people to safely get to
work, school and shops when storms and other disasters interrupt
motorized transportation. Bicycle and pedestrian projects also generate
jobs: According to a study conducted by the Political Economy Research
Institute at the University of Massachusetts, every $1 million of spending on
bicycle and pedestrian project construction creates at least 9.6 jobs while
road-only projects create just 7.8 jobs.

For more than two decades federal transportation legislation has provided
funds to help communities build bicycle and pedestrian paths, bike lanes,
sidewalks, and other infrastructure that promotes complete streets and
bicycling and walking. Unfortunately, recent reductions in funding, ona
state and federal level, greatly reduce the ability of communities to realize
their goals.

¢ Establish $20 million of dedicated funding in the 2014-15 state
budget to create infrastructure that supports bicycling and

walking, with a minimum additional commitment of $20 million
annually over the next five years.

Since passage of the state’s Complete Streets law in 2011, the New York
State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has substantially reduced
funding for pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure. Through the Statewide
Transportation Improvements Program (STIP), NYSDOT plans to spend 40%
less on pedestrian and bicycling-only projects across the state over the next
four years - equating to a $100 million reduction over the planning period.
Road and bridge projects that include a small portion of pedestrian and
bicycling infrastructure will be reduced by 60% under the STIP (excluding
major bridge projects like the Tappan Zee Bridge).? Yet, New York State has
the highest fatality rate in the nation for pedestrians and bicyclists involved in
crashes, 27%.

In addition, the most recently adopted federal transportation law, Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), reduces funding for
trails and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure by 30% ($12 million
annually). Having a dedicated state funding source will help assure that the
level of funding for bike-ped infrastructure is, at the least maintained, or,
optimally, increased and will provide assistance to communities to support
the implementation of Complete Streets.

¢ Revise NYSDOT’s Preservation First policy so that it does not
exclude new pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure projects
and is consistent with the intent of the state’s Complete Streets
Jaw.

NYSDOT’s new Preservation First policy categorically excludes new
pedestrian and bicycling projects from 80% of the transportation dollars
spent in this state. Fix-it-first policies like Preservation First are an efficient
use of limited resources, but there is an inherent bias in this policy against
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure given that 1) so many of the state’s
roadways lack this infrastructure now and 2) it is easier and most cost-
effective to incorporate facilities such as sidewalks and bike lanes when
roads are being repaired under Preservation First.

¢ Direct 100% of the new Transportation Alternatives program
funds to trails and infrastructure projects that support walking
and bicycling.

? according to an analysis by Tri-State Transportation Campaign of the draft 2014-2017 State Transportation

Improvement Program: http://blog.tstc.org/2013/10/2 p plete-streets-law-then-slashes-funding-for-
pedestrian-and-bicycle-infrastructure/

The new federal transportation law gives New York State and its
metropolitan planning organizations a much a greater role in how to use the
funds allocated to trails and bicycle and pedestrian projects. New York
State must actively commit to Complete Streets, smart growth and active
transportation by not making any reductions in funding allocated to its
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program and by making its TA funds
readily available to communities through a statewide competitive grant
program. We also encourage New York State to utilize other MAP-21
funding programs—such as Highway Safety Improvement, Congestion
Management Air Quality, and Surface Transportation Programs—to help
make our communities more livable and safer for those who walk, bike and
take transit to their destinations.

¢ Reconvene the NYS Department of Transportation’s statewide
bicycle-pedestrian task force.

In years past, NYSDOT has convened a statewide Bicycle-Pedestrian
Advisory Committee to serve as a forum for a diverse body of stakeholders,
including state agencies and nonprofits, to discuss common issues and offer
feedback on a variety of NYSDOT policies and initiatives related to walking
and bicycling. This committee has not met since 2010. Because of the
growing popularity of walking and biking among New Yorkers for
alternative transportation, recreation, and health we urge that this
committee begin meeting regularly again. The committee could play an
important role in guiding NYSDOT’s efforts to implement New York’s
Complete Streets legislation and MAP-21.

¢ Create a plan for a statewide, interconnected network of multi-
use trails.

Numerous volunteer trail organizations and local, regional and state
government agencies are working to develop and maintain more than 1,200
miles of multi-use trails across the state. In order to advance trail
development to the level being demanded by our citizens and maximize the
multiple economic, environmental, health, and quality of life benefits that
trails generate, New York State needs to develop a vision and a plan for a
statewide multi-use trail network that will inform acquisition and
development decisions and funding allocations for trail promotion,
development, interpretation, and maintenance.

Creation of that plan needs to be a broad-based effort involving a task force
consisting of representatives of the many state agencies and other groups
whose missions support trail promotion and development. Because trails are
vitally important not only for recreation but also for tourism, health,
alternative transportation, and community revitalization, agencies
representing these other interests must be partners at the table in order

realize the fullest potential of any planning effort. Input also must be sought
from local governments; regional planning authorities; regional tourism
agencies; regional advisory groups representing the interests of local
conservationists, outdoor and sports enthusiast groups, and federal
agencies involved with greenways and heritage corridors.

IMPLEMENT COMPLETE STREETS PRINCIPLES

Some communities, large and small, urban and rural, have already adopted
their own Complete Streets policies. PTNY urges NYSDOT and the MPOs to
actively implement Complete Streets in the projects they oversee and
support and foster understanding and implementation of Complete Streets
among practitioners at other levels of government.

IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act H.R. 3494 and S. 1708 would require
states to set safety goals and safety performance measures specific to
bicyclists and pedestrians which could lead to investments in infrastructure
that support safer bicycling and walking. Current law does not set
performance measures for active transportation.

Presently, New York has the highest fatality rate in the nation for
pedestrians and bicyclists involved in crashes, 27%. By making active
transportation safer, research demonstrates that more people will engage in
healthy walking and biking.

PARKS & TRAILS

FEDERAL

PROVIDE FULL, DEDICATED, PERMANENT FUNDING FOR LAND
AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF)

PTNY supports dedicated funding to the LWCF at $900 million, the
maximum level authorized by Congress, without further appropriation and
including $125 million for the stateside program.

RESTORE HUD-DOT COMMUNITY CHALLENGE GRANT FUNDING

New York State has taken important steps to provide incentives for
healthier, more sustainable development through the passage of statewide
Smart Growth and Complete Streets legislation as well as establishment of the
Cleaner, Greener Communities Program. However, some communities with
limited resources have nonexistent or outdated and inflexible plans and zoning
codes that prevent them from applying for the funding and assistance
provided by these programs.

HUD-DOT Community Challenge Grants are designed to assist communities
so they can bring together the local decision makers, planners, and other
necessary experts to create or revise comprehensive plans, zoning codes,
and building codes. In the past, Community Challenge Grants have
supported important projects in New York State, but Congress did not fund
these grants for FY 2012 or 2013.

Restoration of Community Challenge Grants in FY 2014 will help New York
communities obtain the resources that can assist them in developing
affordable, economically vibrant, and socially inclusive villages, cities, and
towns where there are parks and trails and safe places for walking and
bicycling.

STATE

SUPPORT PARK AND TRAIL VOLUNTEERS [PENDING RESEARCH
ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS ALREADY HAPPENED]

PTNY supports the creation of a standard, universal registration form for
volunteers working on lands owned and managed by DEC, OPRHP or the
NYS Canal Corporation.

Volunteers must currently register to receive permission to help maintain
the network of trails owned and operated by various agencies of the state.
However, sometimes one trail is managed by more than one agency which
means that volunteers have to fill out more than one form, because each
agency has their own form which requires different information. To make
the registration process less confusing and more attractive to volunteers,
DEC, OPRHP and the Canal Corporation should simplify the process and
establish one volunteer registration form that applies to all state-owned
resources.

PROTECT OUTDOOR RECREATION FROM HYDROFRACKING

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a
revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement along
with Proposed High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations in 2011 and
accepted comments on both until January 2012. In late November 2011,
DEC filed for a 90-day extension of the rule-making process as the state
works to complete a health impact study of the high-volume hydraulic
fracturing process. In doing so, DEC released revisions to its proposed
regulations, opening another public comment period.

While the proposed regulations include a recommendation that surface
drilling be banned on state-owned lands - including parks and trails - they
do not go far enough to protect public recreation lands. PTNY urges the
Governor and the DEC to protect public recreation lands from
hydrofracking as well as complete a thorough analysis of the impacts of
hydrofracking on these lands and the region’s tourism economy. Read
PTNY’s full comments submitted to the DEC.

Dashade Teaide 2014 Advocacy Priorities

NEWYORK

PTNY’s advocacy priorities for 2014 aim to protect, promote, and enhance New
York’s parks, trails, and greenways. The policies and programs supported by
PTNY reflect the essential role of parks, trails and greenways in New York’s
economic growth, the health of its residents, and the long-term sustainability of
its communities.

> Maintain momentum for New York State
Parks and Historic Sites by investing another
$90 million in NY Works funding for state parks
infrastructure improvements and by supporting
an enhanced operations budget for the state
parks agency. A 21*-century park system
requires a dedicated funding stream and the
development of public-private partnerships to
address the park system’s aging infrastructure
and save important and historic properties.

> Strengthen the Environmental Protection
Fund (EPF) by working with our partners in
the Friends of New York’s Environment
coalition. Through the EPF, New York is conserving and enhancing
community parks and trails, farms, forests, rivers, beaches, and lakes. An
enhanced appropriation for the EPF in the state budget, along with restored
staffing levels for administering the EPF, will allow us to continue to build on
the success achieved last year, which saw EPF’s first increase since 2008.

> Protect critically important municipal parkland through passage of
strong parkland alienation legislation. Parkland alienation is the process
by which the use of parkland is discontinued. PTNY supports a more rigorous
review process of proposals to alienate municipal parkland, stronger
requirements related to replacement parkland, and a process for tracking

alienation actions once they have been approved in order to hold municipalities

accountable and provide for transparency.

> Close the Gaps to complete the Erie Canalway Trail. The 360-mile Erie
Canalway Trail (ECT) is now more than 75% complete as an off-road path.

ECT

When finished it will be the longest multi-use trail in the nation. The ECT
already attracts visitors from across the world, but the trail cannot realize its
full economic potential as a premier tourist destination until it is complete.
New York state leaders must commit to securing the approximately $35 million
needed to finish construction of the ECT.

> Promote bicycle tourism to make New York State a
premier tourist destination for cyclists and other
outdoor enthusiasts. PTNY supports planning for a
statewide, interconnected network of multi-use trails,
roll-on service for bicycles on regional Amtrak routes,
and creation of new, user-friendly ways for visitors to
access maps and other trail information.

> Provide opportunities for all to safely walk and bike in New York State.
PTNY supports full implementation of the 2011 Complete Streets law,
expansion of Complete Streets
considerations to all roadway
projects, dedicated funding in the
state budget for sidewalks, bike
lanes, and multi-use trails, revision
of NYSDOT’s Preservation First
policy to also include maintenance
projects, and the re-establishment of
the state bicycle-pedestrian advisory
committee.

> Support federal level policies and
programs that promote, protect and enhance parks and trails. PTNY
supports full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF), the federal government’s principal means of assisting in the
preservation of outdoor recreation resources, preservation of funding for
bicycle and pedestrian projects in the next federal transportation act, passage
of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act, and the requirement that states set
safety goals and safety performance measures specific to bicyclists and
pedestrians.

Become an advocate for parks, trails, and active
transportation!

Go to www.PTNY.org to read our complete 2014 Advocacy Agenda.

Metadata

Resource Type:: Document
Rights:: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Date Uploaded:: June 11, 2026

Using these materials

Access:: The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.

Collection restrictions:: Access to this collection is restricted because it is unprocessed. Portions of the collection may contain recent administrative records and/or personally identifiable information. Please contact an archivist for more information.
Collection terms of access:: The University Archives are eager to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified so that appropriate information may be provided in the future.