Ecology Action in the News
For Immediate Release
February 4, 2009
Contact
Bill Maxfield, (831) 227-6469
(See below for additional press contacts.)
New Survey Reveals Local Environmental and Economic Impacts
of State Funding Freeze
Central Coast Contracts in worth nearly $30 million frozen in place
SANTA CRUZ—Ecology Action, a leading regional provider of environmental and conservation services, today released results of a new survey that indicates wide-ranging negative environmental and economic impacts for the Central Coast from the ongoing freeze in state funds for environmental work.
Conducted in partnership with the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, the snapshot survey of Central Coast public agencies and departments, non-profits and sub-contractors shows the organizations are owed by the State of California a combined $11,783,302, and have 91 existing contracts that are frozen. Total value of frozen contracts (through June 30, 2009) is approximately $29,618,000.
“After hearing so many anecdotal stories about the economic and environmental impacts of the budget crisis, we decided it was time to survey our Central Coast colleagues,” said Kirsten Liske, vice president of the pollution prevention/zero waste group at Ecology Action. “This survey shows the severity of the impact the budget crisis is having locally on our environment and the original green economy.”
“We’ve had to initiate furloughs and substantially reduce our services as a result of the funding freeze,” said Karen Christensen, executive director for the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County. “The impact of this crisis will likely be seen for years, especially for our watersheds—and the strong ecosystems and local economy they support.”
Economic Impacts
Public sector agencies and non-profits:
· 24% have experienced staff layoffs
· 62% have reduced staff or reduced workforce hours (including 24% having reduced hours by at least 40%)
· Among organizations that have responded to the funding freeze, 86% have reduced programs or services, and 52% have eliminated programs or services entirely
· 30% are experiencing impacts to at least 50% of their total organizational budget
Subcontractors:
· 32% have experienced staff layoffs
· 72% have reduced staff or reduced workforce hours (including 27% having reduced hours by at least 40%)
· Badly strained relationships with local business community, with bills going unpaid
· Public school teachers participating in watershed education programs going unpaid
Examples of Environmental Impacts
· Davenport’s badly needed water treatment facility delayed
· Fire hazard reduction projects and programs, including road improvements and watershed protection on hold
· Water quality monitoring for domestic and agriculture water supplies halted
· Carmel River flood control project & Carmel River Dam removal stalled
· Research on food safety and pathogen transport for agriculture held up
· Pajaro River levee upgrades in limbo
Participation
Forty organizations participated in the snapshot survey (which was initiated 1/28/09 and completed 2/2/09), some of which included the following public agencies and non-profits:
· Action Pajaro Valley
· Arana Gulch Watershed Alliance
· Big Sur Land Trust
· Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch
· Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition
· City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation
· City of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities
· County of Santa Cruz
o Environmental Health Services
o Stormwater Management Section of Public Works
o Road Design Section of Public Works
o Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services
· CSU Monterey Bay-Research in freshwater systems
· Ecology Action
· Regional Water Management Foundation
· Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County
· Watsonville Wetlands Watch
· Wild Farm Alliance
Additional Contacts for Press:
Big Sur Land Trust
Rachael Saunders, (831) 625-5523 ext.109
Watsonville Wetlands Watch
Kris Beale, (831) 728-8102 ext.3
Regional Water Management Foundation
Tim Carson, (831) 477-0800 ext. 15
County of Santa Cruz, Road Design Section of Public Works
Steve Wiesner, (831) 454-2794
County of Santa Cruz, Environmental Health, Water Resources Program
John Ricker, (831) 566-3610
About Ecology Action
Ecology Action is a nonprofit environmental consultancy delivering cutting edge education services, technical assistance, and program implementation for initiatives that assist individuals, business and government to maximize environmental quality and community well being. Since 1970 Ecology Action has combined municipal, foundation, and private funding to establish cutting-edge conservation programs, prove their effectiveness financially and operationally, and establish each program as a permanent community resource.
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Program Contact
Anna Hirst
Ecology Action
Phone: 831.426.5925 ext. 120
Fax: 831.425.1404
Email
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