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Good Things Are Happening, but the Best is Yet to Come The Politics of Fighting Invasives

Good Things Are Happening, but the Best is Yet to Come The Politics of Fighting Invasives. Gretchen Wainwright William C. Janeway The Nature Conservancy, NY. Name That Invasive!. The Path to Dedicated Funding in NY.

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Good Things Are Happening, but the Best is Yet to Come The Politics of Fighting Invasives

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  1. Good Things Are Happening, but the Best is Yet to ComeThe Politics of Fighting Invasives Gretchen Wainwright William C. Janeway The Nature Conservancy, NY

  2. Name That Invasive!

  3. The Path to Dedicated Funding in NY August 11, 2003: Governor Pataki signed legislation sponsored by Senator Marcellino and Assemblyman DiNapoli creating the Invasive Species Task Force and calling for the Task Force to provide recommendations on Invasive Species issues to the Governor and Legislature by November 2005. Co-leaders: NYS DEC and NYS DAM

  4. Task Force to Determine Actions to: • Prevent the introduction of invasive species • Detect and respond rapidly to populations of invasive species in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner • Monitor invasive species populations accurately and reliably • Provide for restoration of native species and habitat conditions in ecosystems that have been invaded • Conduct research on invasive species and develop technologies to prevent introduction; and • Promote public education on invasive species and the means to address invasive species.

  5. In the meantime… In 2005, Senator Little, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, helped to secure $1 million in state funding for aquatic invasive species eradication projects March 5, 2007: Senator Little recognized by aCoalition of Adirondack Stakeholders for Supporting Invasive Species Funding

  6. Task Force Recommendations • Permanent Leadership Structure • Comprehensive Invasive Species Management Plan • Allocate Appropriate Resources • Establish Education and Outreach Efforts • Integrate Databases • Convene a Regular Invasive Species Conference • Formalize NY State Policy and Practices • Establish a Center for Research • Coordinate and Streamline Regulatory Processes • Encourage Non-regulatory Approaches to Prevention • Influence Federal Actions to Support NY • Recognize and Fund Demonstration Projects

  7. Fast Forward to Today • FY05-06: $1M secured by Senator Little funded 31 aquatic projects statewide • FY06-07 NY State Budget included $3.25M dedicated funding for invasive species • FY07-08 NY State Budget proposes $5 million

  8. So, everything is good. Right? • ISTF Recommended (page 100): • $10M in Dedicated Annual Funding • Five to eight permanent staff ($450-800K/year) • Exploring alternate sources of revenue such as import/export fees at NY ports of entry, recreational fees for the use of boat launches and trailheads, the EPF, horticultural sales fees, State general funds

  9. What Needs to Happen • Spitzer’s Proposed 07-08 Budget needs to Pass • Expands EPF by $100+ Million (to $325M) in 2 years • $5M dedicated to invasive species in 2007 • Environmental Protection Fund needs to continue to increase: • Goal is $500 M by 2010 • Goal is $10M for invasives by 2010 • Alternative and New Funding Sources Identified • Approval of the Updated Bottle Bill • Increases in DEC staff • Dedicated to invasive species programs • Additional staff in supporting roles and programs

  10. What you need to do to help • Support the Proposed Spitzer Budget • Expanded EPF, $5M invasives • Support the Expanded Bottle Bill • Unclaimed deposits as a source of revenue for a $500M EPF (by 2010) • Support Agency Staffing Increases • Work Together to Secure Funding • Contact your State Senator, Assemblyperson • Worry about splitting it up later

  11. Purple Loostrife Giant Hogweed Zebra Mussels Emerald Ash Borer Japanese Knotweed Phragmites Water Chestnut Asian Longhorned Beetle Glossy Buckthorn Garlic Mustard Swallow-wort Answers and Questions THANK YOU!!

  12. Click to return to home page

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