In his current budget, Governor Blagojevich proposed to eliminate
the dedicated funding of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
(INPC), which last year celebrated its 40th anniversary,
and IDNR's Division of Natural Heritage. The INP
commission and Natural Heritage employ dozens of biologists in the
state. Some who are well-known include Brad Semel, who
brought breeding Common and Forster's Terns back to Illinois,
Scott Simpson who manages the prairie chicken sanctuaries, Scott
Ballard (the snake expert who is responsible for monitoring
endangered populations at Pine Hills and for closing the Forest
Service roads during snake migrations), and Todd Bittner.
These biologists working for the long-term conservation welfare of
our land and flora and fauna and should not be sacrificed for
short-term or pork-barrel projects.
The funding for
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC),
and IDNR's Division of Natural Heritage e programs comes from the
Real Estate Transfer Tax, directed by statute to fund the Open
Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund (OSLAD) and the
Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF). In his 2005 fiscal
budget, Governor Blagojevich has called for the diverting of these
funds to the General Revenue Fund.
Please try to make at least one phone
call or letter to your state rep or senator or to these
legislators: Michael Madigan 773-581-8000, or Emil Jones
773-995-7748. Ask them to vote against any attempt by the governor
to redirect these dedicated funds. This is part of his effort to
centralize income sources (including his move to centralize
retirement funds). Centralization would make it easier to "play
politics" with the resulting increase to general revenue funds.
This could leave vulnerable all dedicated funding, like that from
state income tax donations and license plate purchases directed to
habitat preservation, cancer, etc.,
The Illinois Audubon Society, the
Illinois Native Plant Society, and the Nature Conservancy have
sent special mailings recently to their members. Many in our area,
have written newspaper editorials, articles, and letters about
this issue. Please join them by adding your own objections. Thank
you!
On a related note, over 60
organizations have joined a coalition called Partners for Parks
and Wildlife: Coalition to Save Illinois' Nature and Open Spaces,
with a mission to save NAAF and OSLAD funding and the Natural
Heritage and Nature Preserves Commission staffs they support (see
attached). Organizations wishing to sign on that have not done so
yet should contact Jennifer Sublett at
217-544-5954. Additional information from the coalition will
be available soon at
www.partnersforparksandwildlife.org,
including template letters to legislators and fact sheets.
Mark your calendars - The Partners for
Parks and Wildlife Campaign plans for a press conference, rally
and lobby day on Earth Day, April 22nd, in Springfield at
the State Capitol. A press conference is tentatively scheduled for
10:30 AM. to formally announce the coalition, and a mass rally at
12:00 noon. Individuals and groups would also have the opportunity
to lobby their legislators. To RSVP for the lobby day, please
contact Mary Pemberton at 217-544-5954. What better way to
celebrate Earth Day this year than to come to Springfield and help
save these vital programs!
The NAAF and OSLAD budget cuts have received widespread media
coverage from all over the state. A list of articles and
links to each can be found on the Illinois Association of Park
Districts' web site:
www.ilparks.org.
In a positive development, last week the Senate Appropriations II
committee heard testimony on the DNR budget. Director Brunsvold
presented the budget for the administration, and was asked
repeatedly about the cuts to OSLAD and NAAF. In response, he
stated that the jobs associated with the programs would not be
cut, and that funds for those positions would come from moving
money around from within the department. While this has abated the
eminent threat that the Natural Heritage and Nature Preserves
Commission staffs would be fired, without the full reinstatement
of the dedicated funds from NAAF, continued funding for these
positions is likely to become an annually reoccurring issue.
Your continued efforts can and will
make a difference!
Please visit
the
Partners for
Parks and Wildlife website and
Contact your State Legislators
regarding the issue.
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