To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Adams County Agricultural Land Preservation Program
Chester County
Northampton County
PA Farmland Preservation Program_Local
York County Agricultural Preservation Program
Lehigh County
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14,185.3 | $56,625,046 |
| 2007 | 10,419.7 | $53,110,857 |
| 2006 | 14,991.9 | $56,359,738 |
| 2005 | 9,709.9 | $28,907,779 |
| 2004 | 9,574.6 | $31,547,644 |
| 2003 | 9,970.9 | $41,055,692 |
| 2002 | 13,041.0 | $36,940,559 |
| 2001 | 10,607.1 | $34,939,308 |
| 2000 | 7,690.9 | $20,646,704 |
| 1999 | 3,451.6 | $12,287,547 |
| 1998 | 4,225.9 | $9,874,701 |
| Totals | 107,868.7 | $382,295,580 |
The Farmland Preservation Program was established in 1988 to curb the loss of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses. The program allows state, county, and local governments to purchase conservation easements (i.e. development rights) from owners of valuable farmland. The program is funded through an annual allotment of cigarette tax revenue of $20.485 million as well as Growing Greener II bond funds. The Bureau of Farmland Preservation oversees the program. The American Farmland Trust has recognized Pennsylvania’s farmland program as the leader in protecting farmland across the country.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 21,647.1 | $67,394,115 |
| 2007 | 30,265.4 | $94,385,984 |
| 2006 | 20,711.7 | $66,256,157 |
| 2005 | 17,382.5 | $53,133,795 |
| 2004 | 17,464.8 | $38,538,286 |
| 2003 | 19,371.0 | $47,415,655 |
| 2002 | 25,847.6 | $58,826,201 |
| 2001 | 31,262.3 | $60,695,770 |
| 2000 | 31,759.7 | $58,333,337 |
| 1999 | 16,695.4 | $30,244,811 |
| 1998 | 22,891.9 | $39,775,522 |
| Total | 255,299.4 | $614,999,638 |
The Growing Green initiative was signed into law in 1999 and dedicated nearly $650 million in bond funds over five years to preserve farmland and conserve open space. In June 2002 the Governor reauthorized the Growing Greener program, doubling the funding and extending it through 2012. This extension was funded by a permanent dedication of a $4.25/ton municipal waste disposal fee and increased the dollar commitment from $645 million to $1.3 billion. The program’s mission is to conserve farmland and open space; maintain state parks; clean up abandoned mines and restore watersheds; provide funds for recreational trails and local parks; help communities address land use; and provide new and upgraded water and sewer systems.
Funds are split between four state agencies: the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.*
*http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/growing_greener/13958/what_is_growing_greener_/588899
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,730.9 | $4,277,500 |
| 2007 | 1,199.3 | $3,231,500 |
| 2006 | 393.4 | $1,335,000 |
| 2005 | 1,004.0 | $836,000 |
| 2004 | 31.2 | $20,000 |
| 2003 | 11,609.6 | $2,767,200 |
| 2002 | 69.4 | $750,000 |
| 2001 | 2.1 | $22,500 |
| 1999 | 47.1 | $390,000 |
| 1998 | 21.7 | $286,500 |
| Total | 16,108.8 | $13,916,200 |
In May 2005 voters approved the Growing Greener II statewide bond of $625 million, nearly half of which is dedicated to farmland and open space conservation. The bond funds were spread out over six years to support projects within the Department of Environmental Protection ($230 million), Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ($217.5 million), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture ($80 million), the Department of Community and Economic Development ($50 million), the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission ($27.5 million) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission ($20 million). Without re-authorization, Growing Greener II bond funds are set to run out in 2011.
Additionally, a provision in the law established an Environmental Block Grant Program, restored funding – in the short tem – to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Fund, provided $10 million for a Historic Preservation Tax Credit program and $2.5 million for a Green Sales Tax Holiday. The Block Grant Program allows counties to designate up to $90 million over the course of the bond program to target local priorities. Each county was guaranteed a minimum level of support and received funding according to their class.*
IMPORTANT - Farmland preservation projects funded through Growing Greener II are not included in the dollar and acreage amounts to the right. These projects are shown in the farmland chart above and lumped together with other projects funded through cigarette tax revenue.
*http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/growing_greener/13958/what_is_growing_greener_ii_/588900
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 726.3 | $3,742,113 |
| 2006 | 195.6 | $136,000 |
| 2005 | 33.7 | $260,000 |
| 2004 | 567.5 | $1,433,792 |
| 2003 | 722.9 | $665,000 |
| 2002 | 2,513.0 | $870,000 |
| 2001 | 25.7 | $169,200 |
| Total | 4,784.7 | $7,276,105 |
In 1993 voters passed the Key 93 initiative, which was originally funded by a 5-year, $50 million bond in addition to 15 percent of the state’s share of the realty transfer tax. The program focuses on land acquisition and preservation of nature preserves, habitats and parks. Grants are made through the Keystone, Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund. Funds are allocated to The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (65%), Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission (13%), Pennsylvania Department of Education (4%), and the State System of Higher Education (18%). Revenue allocated to DCNR is used for rehabilitation and upgrades to state park and forestry infrastructure, rails to trails projects, river protection and conservation projects, grants for local recreation projects and to Land Trusts for natural areas and open space planning and acquisition. Spending figures published here are solely for land acquisition projects.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 20,230.0 | $31,371,400 |
| 2007 | 11,024.5 | $11,077,000 |
| 2006 | 2,611.7 | $5,796,508 |
| 2005 | 8,621.4 | $8,412,500 |
| 2004 | 14,920.2 | $11,651,500 |
| 2003 | 12,859.9 | $10,161,250 |
| 2002 | 1,206.5 | $2,700,000 |
| 2001 | 5,438.1 | $3,502,000 |
| 2000 | 3,774.4 | $3,335,500 |
| 1999 | 790.3 | $2,858,100 |
| 1998 | 3,482.7 | $4,246,700 |
| Total | 84,959.8 | $95,112,458 |
Funding for land acquisition for Pennsylvania’s forests and parks occurs in a variety of ways, including Growing Greener funds (see above), oil and gas lease funds as well as through the states Heritage Program. In 1955 the General Assembly created the Oil and Gas Lease Fund that took money from the sale of nonrenewable oil and gas resources owned by the state. These funds were set aside to reinvest into public land conservation and recreation projects on state park and forest lands.* The Heritage Areas Program was established in 1989 to conserve and enhance state resources and promote Pennsylvania’s heritage for tourism development, including greenway preservation.**
*http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/gasleasing/
**http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/heritageareas/index.htm
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 9,197.0 | $10,032,304 |
| 2007 | 6,981.0 | $9,690,442 |
| 2006 | 6,947.0 | $14,927,746 |
| 2003 | 40.0 | $50,000 |
| Total | 23,165.0 | $34,700,492 |