A Budget Message from DCNR

Senate Appropriations Budget Hearing
Testimony by Michael DiBerardinis
Secretary
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
March 4, 2008

Chairman Armstrong, committee members, thank you for this opportunity to address the budget priorities of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

	- 2008-09 Governor's Executive Budget Proposal - Governor's Report on State Performance 06-07 (.pdf--5.9MB) - DCNR's Action Plan - Secretary's House Testimony

Governor Rendell has proposed a 2008-09 budget that protects the progress that the Commonwealth has made over the past five years while addressing such issues as a faltering national economy, the unresolved health care crisis and the state’s crumbling infrastructure.

I am pleased to say that DCNR’s budget will receive a cost-to-carry increase, which will allow us to operate as we currently do. I think our budget is a reflection of DCNR’s value in the lives of Pennsylvanians, our inspired work, and the fact that we operate a lean and efficient organization.

DCNR has a responsibility to be the stewards, not just of the public lands, but also of all the natural resources in the Commonwealth. Our mission requires us to create and execute policy that supports and encourages sustainability throughout the state.

Over the past five years, we have set the department on the path to achieving some significant accomplishments, including:

• Aligning our efforts to achieve sustainable communities in large regional landscapes including the nationally-recognized Pennsylvania Wilds nature tourism initiative;
• Investing millions of dollars in rehabilitation and improvements to our state parks and forests for citizen enjoyment and conservation of the resource;
• Protecting about 100,000 acres of open space and critical habitat;
• Crafting a stewardship campaign to help us connect more meaningfully with our visitors;
• Implementing scores of new outdoor recreation and interpretive programs to serve as pathways to the practice of conservation;
• Maintaining our independent sustainable certification for our state forests;
• Moving DCNR into national leadership around policy and programs to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change;
• Developing a cutting edge digital map of the Commonwealth that is a valuable tool for anyone doing comprehensive planning, economic development or supporting public safety; and
• Expanding recreational opportunities such as the opening of the Rock Run ATV park in Cambria County on reclaimed strip mine land to increase the amount of land open to the general public for ATV use, provide longer trails and draw riders to communities that could benefit from their economic contributions.

Strengthening and institutionalizing these and other initiatives this year and next, and working to connect deeply to the communities and partners, will ensure their longevity far into the future.

Also this year, we will finalize our 5-year update to the Forest Resource Management Plan that charts the course for managing the state’s 2-million acres of state forests and updating the agency’s position on oil and gas leasing on DCNR’s lands. We will break ground for our first nature inn at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County to expand the options for overnight accommodations in our system and attract new visitors.

In his budget address, the Governor continued to strongly advocate for his Energy Independence Strategy. This proposal will push Pennsylvania into the top tier of states taking steps to cut consumer energy costs, and significantly expand the alternative fuel, clean energy and energy conservation sectors. DCNR is a significant player in the alternative energy arena, and we are leading the Commonwealth’s thinking and planning on carbon sequestration. You’ll see us becoming even more heavily engaged in these initiatives over the next few years as a policy approach to global climate change coalesces.

Now in my sixth year at the helm of DCNR, I continue to be grateful that I lead an organization with such purpose and commitment to its mission. I think the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is at a unique moment of opportunity to apply our expertise in new venues to protect our natural heritage and secure its future for the benefit of every citizen of Pennsylvania. I look forward to your help in these initiatives.

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