RENDELL: My record on land conservation speaks for itself: I have championed historic investments in protecting our open space, farmland and forests, and as a result we are now investing tens of millions of additional dollars in preserving undeveloped land. For example, I have already committed more than $25 million of Growing Greener 2 proceeds to preserve 13,200 acres of open space – and we will reach 75,000 acres preserved since 2003 by the time this fiscal year is over. In addition, under my leadership, 2006 will be the largest year ever for our farmland preservation program – which already leads the nation.

SWANN: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must rejuvenate its award-winning land recycling program by harmonizing standards across the state into a coherent, consistent program. It must rapidly restore funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, which will otherwise go bankrupt, leaving the state’s primary emergency response fund empty. I will also create a seat at the table for representatives affected by state environmental policy. Too often policies originating in Harrisburg have ignored the concerns of those most affected by them. Strategies for achieving all environmental goals involve addressing funding priorities and making state government consistent and responsive to citizens closest to the areas of concern.

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What role does conservation play in terms of your own set of values and way of life?

RENDELL: I believe that government must be a steward for our irreplaceable natural resources. That is why I proposed the largest environmental investment in Commonwealth history, and why I worked so hard to convince the Legislature to pass Growing Greener 2. It is also one of the driving forces behind my commitment to alternative energy – where, thanks to our leadership at the state level, Pennsylvania is becoming a national leader in the “green” economy. I believe that we must find solutions that are good for the environment, good for the economy, and good for Pennsylvanians. And we are.

SWANN: When I was a young man, environmental issues revolved around not littering, properly disposing of car batteries and antifreeze, and recycling glass, plastic and paper.  It was a simpler time, when commonsense was sufficient to ensure that one’s interaction with the environment was not harmful.  Although these concepts are still important, environmental issues today are not quite so simple.  By all means, the discussion of the threat of global warming should continue.  The answers to these questions have profound implications for how government and society should approach energy and other environmental issues.  But while we work to settle these issues, they must not be allowed to consume economic policy. There are many proposals that I have outlined above that can and should be done to protect our environment. 

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Do you see roles for private land conservation organizations in advancing your vision for Pennsylvania?  How might these organizations partner with your administration?

RENDELL: Private organizations play an important role in leveraging resources to conserve land beyond the capacity of state and local government. I was proud earlier this year to sign into law a bill that enables the Commonwealth and county government to partner with non-profit land organizations (as well as local governments) to jointly purchase agricultural land easements. These publicprivate partnerships will serve as a model for how we can expand our ability to make conservation decisions that have a decisive impact on preserving local quality of life.

My Administration has also partnered directly with private land conservation organizations and will continue to do so. In the last three years, we provided more than $37.5 million in grant funding to 103 land trust acquisition projects, which leveraged an additional $89 million and enabled the acquisition or protection of almost 41,000 acres of high-conservation-value land across the Commonwealth. In addition to land acquisition, we have provided land trust conservancies with grant funding to undertake a variety of planning, education and technical assistance projects for open space protection and land conservation. We have made seven direct grants to PALTA totaling over $900,000 to provide statewide conservation, education, training, and technical assistance to land trusts, conservancies, communities, and other non-profit conservation groups. I am pleased that these resources have enabled a mini-grant program to cover the administrative costs of acquiring conservation easements, a peer-to-peer technical assistance program and the production of technical assistance materials.

I look forward to finding other innovative ways to create conservation partnerships that benefit our communities and our Commonwealth.

SWANN: As noted above, I believe that organizations and local governments should have a seat at the table when land issues regarding conservation and environmental protection are being made.  I also believe that state government needs to do a better job at partnering with local public and private organizations to move these issues forward.  State government cannot do it alone, it needs the assistance of these public and private investors to care for our land, streams, forests, waterways, farms and our other God made resources. 

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The Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund has been a tremendous asset to Pennsylvania communities since 1993. Keystone has provided grants to match local investments in developing and upgrading 2,000 community park and recreation facilities, protecting 50,000 acres of critical natural areas, building 600 miles of recreational trails. How do you view the future of this community investment program?

RENDELL: The Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund provides significant benefits to Pennsylvania. That is why I have preserved the use of the realty transfer tax for this purpose and allocated a portion of the $625 million Growing Greener 2 environmental initiative to further many of the Keystone Fund’s goals. In fact, nearly $1 out of every $5 of Growing Greener 2 funds that I have released to date have been invested in community park, recreation, state park and state forest improvement projects. Since I took office, we have inaugurated the 117th state park, added 22,000 acres of State Forest land, and developed or improved more than 150 community hiking and biking trails. We must continue to invest in upgrading community park and recreation facilities, protecting natural areas, and building recreational trails.

SWANN: A few months ago I had the privilege to ride with a group of cyclists from Valley Forge to the Philadelphia Art Museum. The 22-mile ride was almost exclusively on a rails to trail path. It was a wonderful ride with great sites and a smooth path. I fully understand and appreciate the importance of these types of projects and initiatives across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I will continue to support Key 93. Key 93 will also needs additional resources and I stand ready to ensure that Pennsylvania continues it healthy investment in recreational trails, community parks, and recreation facilities.

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Growing Greener has thrived despite changes in administrations over the last six years; what would the future of Growing Greener be under your administration?

RENDELL: I proposed Growing Greener 2 as the largest environmental investment in Pennsylvania history, and I am proud that voters approved the $625 million bond initiative last year. Already, well over $200 million of Growing Greener 2 funds are at work preserving land, protecting our drinking water, creating new opportunities for recreation, and making other needed improvements in the quality of life of Pennsylvania residents. If re-elected, I look forward to overseeing the deployment of the remaining Growing Greener 2 resources and to ensuring that the Commonwealth has adequate resources over the long term to continue improving our environment.

SWANN: Growing Greener has been a strong program. Nevertheless, these funds will not be around for too many years without some structural changes or additional dollars. I would continue to support Growing Greener and in fact have developed a very aggressive environmental clean up schedule. Through Growing Greener and other funds I will pursue the following goals by 2010. They include preserving 50,000 new acres of farmland, restoring 1,000 more miles of impaired streams, plugging 1,000 additional spent oil and gas wells, preserving 25,000 new acres of “greenspace,” reusing 2,500 new acres of brownfields and reclaiming 2,500 additional acres of mined territory.

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The Pennsylvania House passed HB1875 in a 182-0 vote on 5/1/2006. The joint resolution proposes amending the constitution to enable the General Assembly to establish tax credits for conserving forest, agricultural and open space lands. The bill did not move quickly enough to meet constitutional advertising requirements,
but it is expected to be reintroduced in 2007. How do you view a state
conservation tax credit for Pennsylvania?

RENDELL: I share the goals of the House resolution, and I believe that we must do all that we can to preserve our rich heritage of farmland, open space and forests. I believe that grant programs are often more effective than tax credits and better able to target limited taxpayer resources to achieve the maximum impact. As Governor, I have championed state funding for these purposes, and I specifically proposed Growing Greener 2 so that Pennsylvania could make essential environmental investments. By the end of this fiscal year, we will have preserved 75,000 acres of open space during my Administration, and we have already preserved 85,000 acres of farmland since I took office – together making up an area nearly one and a half times the size of Delaware County. I will continue to ensure that there are resources available to invest in the preservation of our irreplaceable natural resources, and I remain willing to use any approach that is fiscally responsible and that maximizes the efficiency of our taxpayer funds to achieve our shared goals.

SWANN: I would support a conservation tax credit in Pennsylvania. Conserving forest, agricultural, and open space is a vital part of my environmental and agricultural policy proposals. I would caution your readers, however. Approximately two years ago, Governor Rendell’s counsel penned a memo stating that tax credits of any kind are likely unconstitutional in Pennsylvania. Hence, regardless of the Governor’s stated position on this survey, I believe it is vital that your readers weigh that against his internal memo outlining his legal position.

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What do you feel are the greatest threats to Pennsylvania’s farms. forests, and waterways and what will your administration do to address these threats?

RENDELL: Development is essential to the economic vitality of Pennsylvania, but where and how development occurs fundamentally impacts our ability to protect our farms, forests and waterways. I believe that we can and must strike an effective balance between environmental protection and economic development. I have reactivated the State Planning Board to focus on conservation and development issues and to make recommendations about how the state can strengthen its laws and policies. Of course, many important decisions that impact the use of local resources are made by county and local governments, and I am encouraged by the increasing interest of these governments in conservation – as shown by the many successful bond issues to fund conservation at the local level and better land use planning and implementation. My Administration will continue to work in partnership with county and local governments to fund conservation projects, to encourage sound regional land use planning and implementation, and to improve our state laws to help us achieve these goals.

SWANN: Many who are alarmed by global warming advocate drastic legislative and regulatory changes in how we deal with activities that increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  As we consider these changes, it is important to remember that inexpensive, carbon based energy is a cornerstone of economic growth and opportunity.  In short, economic mobility is fostered by economic growth, which in turn is spurred by widely available and inexpensive energy.  We must continue to balance our environmental needs with the needs of economic growth.  Too often the environmental concerns are considered after the economic ones while both should have equal footing.  We must preserve our farms, forests, and waterways since once they are sacrificed or polluted, it is nearly impossible to return them to their pristine state.  As I stated above in question two, I have set forth extremely rigorous goals to preserve our precious resources and clean up those that have been spoiled over the years.