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Feds: If you close parks, you risk losing funding
Apr 08, 2010 5:21 pm
Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential reports:
Federal officials have sent a letter to Gov. David Paterson, warning him that his proposed closure of state parks and historic sites would put New York in “non-compliance” with the requirements attached to funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, possibly resulting in the loss of federal funding for parks or other areas. “In addition, closure of any park acquired through FLP (Federal Land to Parks) could result in reversion of the property to federal ownership and the possible sale of the property,” wrote Dennis Reidenbach, Northeast Regional Director for the National Parks Service. The letter, posted on Facebook by Rep. Maurice Hinchey, is dated March 31. New York received just under $1.9 million in federal parks funding in 2010, the letter said. Paterson’s proposed closures would save about $6.3 million; the state faces a $9.2 billion budget deficit.Click on WGXC or WGXC Newsroom for more information. Send news, tips, etc. to news@wgxc.org.