Tell Governor Hochul: Don't cut clean water infrastructure

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Tell Governor Hochul: Don't cut clean water infrastructure

Photo: Angus McIntyre

Governor Hochul’s proposed Executive Budget for New York State contains worrying cuts to environmental funding and environmental law enforcement that the Hudson River and its communities depend on.

The Governor is proposing to cut Clean Water Infrastructure funding in half from $500 million annually to only $250 million, shuffle $25 million of Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) funds towards agency staffing, and cut Hudson River Estuary Program funding by $250,000

The Senate and Assembly are pushing back with their proposed budgets that restores funding for environmental programs but negotiations with the Governor are entering their final stage with a budget expected any day now.

These cuts mean fewer investments in replacing aging water pipes and wastewater treatment plants, a diminished ability to address harmful algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water and kill fish, fewer communities accessing grants for drinking water protection projects, a reduction in hands-on classroom programs through the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York must commit to at least a $600 million investment in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and oppose any funding raids or cuts to the EPF and the Hudson River Estuary Program.

Help our allies in the legislature push back against these cuts. Urge Governor Hochul to course correct and fully fund clean water programs!

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Dear: [Decision Maker],

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The Hudson River and funding for water infrastructure are in serious jeopardy with Governor Hochul's proposed budget cuts. I oppose the executive budget that cuts critical water funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in half  from $500 million annually since 2017 to just $250 million! Additionally, I oppose the $25 million raid in funds meant for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and reducing funding for the Hudson River Estuary Program.

The proposed executive budget will halve the annual commitment without considering the serious impacts this will have on New Yorkers' access to clean drinking water and the local governments seeking to update their wastewater systems. This is a major setback for the numerous local water infrastructure projects across the state seeking capital investments, which at current appropriations are not enough to fully address the needs of the state. It is estimated the state needs $80 billion over the next 20 years to update our infrastructure. This is why Riverkeeper and their allies have called for a $600 million investment in the state budget as essential to addressing rising infrastructure project costs caused by inflation and other economic factors which cannot be done with the proposed halving of current funding levels.

I also oppose raiding funds from the EPF toward agency staffing, and cut $250,000 in funding for the Hudson River Estuary Program These cuts jeopardize significant projects, such as capital projects to improve water quality and restore habitats along the Hudson River and research studying the impact of sea-level rise on Hudson River drinking water intakes and the ability of freshwater tidal wetlands to sequester carbon. A dip in funding not only affects the quality of our environment, but also programs connecting thousands of students to the river, giving them hands-on experience in science.

I urge you to restore these key sources of funding in the final state budget as proposed in the Assembly and Senate budgets.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]