FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2026
Press Contact: Sheila Webb-Halpern | sheila.webb-halpern@tnc.org

NEW YORK – New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs coalition thanks Governor Hochul for continuing record funding for the Environmental Protection Fund and maintaining funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in her Executive Budget Proposal. The Governor also proposed an additional $250 million for water infrastructure in new housing developments; the coalition is evaluating this proposal. 

The Governor's environmental budget proposals include: 

• $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act 

• $425 million for the Environment Protection Fund 

• $340 million for capital projects at New York State Parks  

• $90 million for capital projects at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation sites 

These programs help provide what every New Yorker needs: clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and safe places to enjoy the great outdoors. Environmental programs strengthen the economy, protect public health, and connect people to the great outdoors. 

If included in the final budget, these investments will safeguard clean drinking water, reduce pollution, improve parks, protect family farms, and reduce costs for families and businesses. An economic analysis found that for every dollar invested in land and water protection, seven dollars are returned to New Yorkers in economic returns. These historic investments are critical to New York’s health, safety, and prosperity. 

As budget negotiations get underway, the New Yorkers for Clean Water and Jobs coalition urges the State Senate and Assembly to include at least $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, at least $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, and $340 million and $90 million respectively for State Parks and DEC annual capital funding. 

“The Nature Conservancy thanks Governor Hochul for including $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in her Executive Budget Proposal along with a new commitment of $2.1 billion for the EPF over five years. A critical state program, the EPF protects clean air and water, prevents pollution, preserves wildlife habitat, and creates incredible recreation opportunities for millions of New Yorkers. State conservation funding is essential to public health and a strong economy.” – Jessica Ottney Mahar, The Nature Conservancy’s New York policy and strategy director 

“On behalf of the Open Space Institute and all who cherish New York’s lands and waters, I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for advancing our state’s conservation leadership with her FY27 Executive Budget. By maintaining the EPF at its historic $425 million level and proposing significant capital investments at state parks and DEC properties, Gov. Hochul is ensuring that our public lands and abundant natural resources will remain protected and welcoming, delivering tangible benefits we can all enjoy.” — Erik Kulleseid, President & CEO, Open Space Institute 

"Investing in our clean water infrastructure and environmental protection is great for our health, quality of life and our economy. New Yorkers love our waterways, parks and a clean environment and we need to continue to fund the protection and restoration of our natural assets. Thank you to Governor Hochul for understanding that funding these programs has immense public support and provides essential quality of life services." — Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment 

“On behalf of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and our many advocates, thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul on proposing historic level funding ($425M) to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums (ZBGA) line within the fund. New York’s living museums, including WCS's Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium provide more than quality environmental education; they are also strong economic engines generating local jobs. We encourage the legislature to work with the Governor to build on this historic commitment and include at least level funding for the EPF and ZBGA in their one house bills.” — John F. Calvelli Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society 

“New Yorkers need investments that pay off. EANY is pleased to see the Governor maintain funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and Environmental Protection Fund, and make investments in other environmental programs. These are the kinds of public resources that protect health, strengthen communities, and keep local budgets from buckling. Now we need the Governor and State Legislature to secure even more funding in the final budget to upgrade aging and failing water infrastructure and ensure a clean, healthful environment for all New Yorkers." — Rob Hayes, Senior Director of Clean Water, Environmental Advocates NY 

NYLCV applauds Governor Hochul for including major investments for the EPF, much-needed capital funding for DEC and State Parks, and $500 million for water infrastructure in her FY27 Executive Budget. We are also encouraged by the governor’s commitment of five more years of water infrastructure funding, and we look forward to working with her and the legislature to shape the structure and ensure proper guardrails on the proposed $250 million addition. With the federal government cutting funds and rolling back decades of bipartisan environmental protections, these investments are absolutely critical and we call on the State Senate and Assembly to include this funding in their one-house budgets and ultimately in the enacted budget. — Patrick McClellan, Policy Director, New York League of Conservation Voters 

“Governor Hochul’s Proposed Budget reflects a clear understanding of both New Yorkers’ priorities and the realities of responsible governance. At a moment when public demand for access to nature and open space has never been stronger, the Governor is deftly balancing competing budget pressures while continuing to invest in our state parks and DEC lands. These commitments protect the natural places people rely on every day—for recreation, restoration, and connection—while supporting local economies and ensuring that New Yorkers in every region can enjoy safe, welcoming outdoor spaces now and for generations to come." — Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York 

“New York’s steadfast commitment to farmland protection continues to shine as we approach the 30th anniversary of the State’s Farmland Protection Program in 2026. To date, New York has permanently protected 134,800 acres of irreplaceable agricultural land, ensuring that farms remain viable and productive for generations to come. Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget maintains strong funding for farmland protection within the Environmental Protection Fund, reaffirming the State’s dedication to safeguarding the lands that sustain our food system and strengthen rural communities. We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s continued leadership and her unwavering prioritization of agriculture and farmland protection across New York.” — Julian Mangano, New York Policy Manager, American Farmland Trust 

"Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (THTLT) protects farm, forest and wild lands from the western Adirondacks across the Tug Hill region to Lake Ontario, from near Utica and Syracuse north around Fort Drum, in portions of Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Oswego, Herkimer and St. Lawrence counties. THTLT accomplishes this protection with over 120 conservation easements on over 24,000 acres, and about 1,000 acres in seven conservation and preserve areas open to the public. Much of this work would not be possible without the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), The EPF's Conservation Partnership Program administered by the Land Trust Alliance in New York State has been vital to increasing our organization's capacity to work. EPF's farmland protection and forest conservation easement programs are utilized throughout our region, protecting thousands of acres. And EPF's allotment to land protection around Fort Drum is one of New York's most tangible forms of support to retain New York's largest single-site employer. In short, the EPF is essential to us." — Heidi Sourwine, executive director, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust 

“ADK applauds Governor Hochul for the dedicated line for stewardship funding for the Adirondacks and Catskills in the Executive Budget,” said Cortney Worrall, Executive Director of the Adirondack Mountain Club. “This investment recognizes the critical role stewardship plays in protecting our most treasured public lands while supporting responsible and sustainable recreation. At a time when visitation continues to grow, dedicated funding ensures that trail work, education, and boots-on-the-ground stewardship can keep pace, protecting natural resources and enhancing the visitor experience across both regions. We thank the Governor for her continued commitment to New York’s Forest Preserve and the communities that depend on it."

“The Environmental Protection Fund is the primary source of state support for the essential Survey of Climate and Adirondack Lake Ecosystems,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director Raul J. Aguirre. “SCALE is helping New York decision makers understand how climate change is affecting Adirondack water quality, flooding and drought, fisheries health, invasive species, and impacting NYs most sensitive natural resources and wildlife species. This information is more critical than ever as the Adirondack Park faces increasing risks from federal regulatory rollbacks and weakened pollution controls that have long protected the Park’s clean air and pristine lakes and rivers.”

Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “Scenic Hudson strongly supports Governor Hochul’s robust environmental budget, with critical funds for clean water, climate, land conservation, and parks. We respectfully call on the Legislature to move forward with these investments that lower long-term costs for New Yorkers while safeguarding the health of our environment and the communities that rely on it.”

“The Adirondack Land Trust applauds Governor Hochul for prioritizing environmental funding in her budget proposal. Every investment in protecting clean water, clean air, healthy forests, and productive farmlands is an investment in healthy communities, strong economies and New York’s conservation legacy.” — Mike Carr, executive director, Adirondack Land Trust 

“We applaud Governor Hochul for her commitment to New York’s environment and the enormous benefits that investments in the Environmental Protection Fund provide to every day New Yorkers: fresh, locally grown food, clean drinking water, hiking trails, pristine recreational waters, and places to relax, contemplate and breathe. We see every day these benefits come alive in our communities, and we urge the Senate and the Assembly to join the Governor in a commitment to EPF programs that make a real difference." — John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust 

“We are encouraged that Governor Hochul’s proposed budget for FY2027 continues to prioritize investment in clean water infrastructure, which will benefit communities across New York State. Investing $500 million in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and $425 million in the Environmental Protection Fund will help municipalities in the Long Island Sound region and across the state upgrade systems to better manage wastewater and stormwater, expand the use of green infrastructure, and restore and protect habitat—critical but often costly projects they otherwise would not be able to afford. We thank Governor Hochul for her clean water commitment, and we look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure those investments are in the final budget.” — David Ansel, Vice President of the Center for Water Protection at Save the Sound 

“We commend Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to the EPF and Clean Water Infrastructure Act at a moment when Skaneateles Lake—and waters across New York—are facing insurmountable threats from harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and intensifying pollution pressures,” said Frank Moses, Executive Director of the Skaneateles Lake Association. “Sustained, unwavering funding is timely and critical for combating these threats that can compromise the health, safety, and economic vitality of communities that depend on clean, resilient lakes and waterways.” 

We thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership and strong commitment to clean water. Investing in water infrastructure is essential to protecting public health, supporting our economy, and ensuring New York’s long-term resilience. — Kara Meyer, Managing Director, + POOL 

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New Yorkers for Clean Water & Jobs is a broad coalition formed to demonstrate the vast support for New York environmental funding and programs that protect clean water and air, create jobs, and address the climate crisis. For more information, please visit: cleanwaterandjobs.org.