Yesterday, NorCo Exec Lamont McClure held a press conference at the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center to announce the results of an environmental study. I passed. I thought he'd be discussing the sex life of bog turtles (I know a few and they brag too much) or how great dandelions taste in a salad (they don't). But as usual, I was wrong. McClure actually wanted to report a return on investment. How has the money spent on open space benefited you, the taxpayer.
NorCo established a formal open space program with its 2006 budget. When running for Exec, the late great John Stoffa actually pledged that he would raise taxes a half mill to fund this program. As he liked to quip, "I promised to raise taxes, but they voted for me anyway." Stoffa's plan was actually opposed at the time by then Council members Charles Dertinger, Lamont McClure and Wayne Grube. They wanted instead to play games with the Executive's estimated revenue, which is contrary to the Home Rule Charter. Dertinger demanded that someone tell him why the Charter barred Council members from playing games with estimated revenue. "You're supposed to know that," Stoffa quietly answered. The end result is that an open space plan that was initially opposed by a Democratic majority on Council was reluctantly enacted.
And it has worked. McClure, now a convert, touted the economic and other benefits of the open space investment yesterday.
According to a statement after the presser, since 2006, Northampton County has invested more than $20 million to safeguard open spaces. Since 2018 alone, the County has awarded $9.2 million in grants, preserved over 600 acres, and added another 339 acres to its park system.
Key findings of the report include:
- $436 million generated annually by outdoor recreation, supporting nearly 2,000 jobs
- $37 million in annual savings from replenishing water supply
- $48 million in natural flood protection each year
- $85 million in air pollution removed annually by trees
- $21.7 billion added to total home value across the County
- $38.3 million in agricultural output supporting more than 700 jobs
- $9–20 million in healthcare savings each year from active lifestyles connected to parks and trails
“The return on our environment is not just ecological, it is financial,” McClure emphasized. “It’s clear: people want to live near green spaces, and that demand translates into measurable economic benefits.”
I routinely see the economic benefit while cycling along local trails and roads, especially now that e-bikes are in heavy use. Bakeries, convenience stores, restaurants and hotels near trails are big winners. i believe a food truck at Sand Island would make a killing.
The county budget for 2025 was 502 million, if “open spaces” generates 436 million/year I think we got a lot more money missing! Better check those “buckets”
ReplyDeleteThe numbers do seem to merit an audit. I'll call your 436/year and raise it to 600/year by adding in the other "benefits." I’m not schooled in government math, but it would be interesting to see how an extra 1000 acres can generate an extra $600M in economic benefit over and above what would have been generated without them. That’s $600K/acre/year.
DeleteBarron does the accounting. So it must be right. Look at Gracedale.
DeleteThis is over and above that spent for farmland preservation, right?
ReplyDeleteA real shout out to Jerry Seyfried and the early councils for pushing open space. They put money towards it and the other executives and councils are just following along. McClure invented PR and that's about it. its ALL ABOUT HIM, RIGHT.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Jerry listened to the late Bill Mineo and the people. He was ahead of his time.
DeleteForks Township, where are you? The writing is on the wall!
ReplyDeleteFarm land is a horrible and environmentally unsound use of open space. "Preservation" should return land to its natural state before it was clear cut. Was anyone taught the meaning of the name "Pennsylvania?"
ReplyDeletesorry, I like to eat.
DeleteFarm land is horrible...says the liberal bug eater.
DeleteThe benefits decrease when you know the real story. First off, those objective $values assigned to subjectives such as "more trees" is nonsense. BUT, more importantly, who is being compensated for setting their land aside? In each case I know, they were gentleman farmers, with no intent to subdivide and develop. One such "farmer" in Bucks received over $1 mil many years ago. In Lehigh and Northampton, Janidl is the largest land owner, who needs corn for his turkeys. Talking about turkeys, talk about politicians who sell "open space."
ReplyDeleteThose "gentleman farmers" will eventually pass away, leaving the farm to their children who no longer live in the area and will happily sell the farm to developers to maximize their inheritance. Happens time after time across the Lehigh Valley.
DeleteSuch BS. This and many other of his fake news fiascos is why RM has reelection locked in.
ReplyDeleteLike musikfest these numbers cannot be proven.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, off topic. But, yes, the Total Attendance numbers released by Musikfest are simply ridiculous. Complete nonsense. Even P.T. Barnum would be ashamed.
DeleteMusic fest impact can be seen just by the reservations at area hotels and eateries, try to go out anywhere during that 11 days and you will see
DeleteBullseye. The numbers don't pass any objective test. This is nonsense posing as a campaign event for a demonstrably dishonest politician.
DeleteJohn Brown did not use the Stoffa tax increase of .5 mils to preserve open space for 4 years. Tom Giovanni will not use it to preserve open space either. Instead Tom Giovanni will give huge tax breaks to warehouse developers.
ReplyDeleteBut Tom already gave huge tax breaks to warehouse development, and he will destroy the fabric of that area with these massive buildings and the traffic that it will bring to the local 2 lane roads
DeleteI have news for you. Its already happened. Tractor trailers on tiny roads all over bethegem north of airport
DeleteGovernment does not lie. HA Ha
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the 100s of hotel stays and restaurant visits that Lake Hydra Scuba Center brings into Northampton County coffers every season. Talk about open space.
ReplyDeleteI've got a feeling a food truck at Sand Island would attract a lot more attention from "The Unhoused" than from paying clientele.
ReplyDeleteBernie once again I commend you for giving those with “oppositional deficit disorder “ (ODD) to make their day.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the actual savings in dollars can be disputed the open space concept i. s important especially considering the warehouse overtaking our farmland. Our roads are evidence of just one problem caused by the overtaking of our farmland. Quality of life has significantly declined in terms of beauty in Northampton county. Not to mention the impact on our wildlife. East allen township considering a truck stop on airport road near residential neighborhoods. Why not invest in this farmland by buying land and renting to farmers to maintain our farms! The proposed truck stop will have 45 spaces for trucks. What will that bring to the neighbors???? Rezoning might be considered. Also now building 1 m dollar homes on previous farmland. Havi g bern in my home for almost 40 years i miss the farms and the peace at home and on the roads. Ill say it again. Build the warehouses near 22 in the empty industrial parks!!!!.
ReplyDeleteWhat air pollution is removed by trees?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nps.gov/articles/000/uerla-trees-air-pollution.htm
Deletefor those of your who still believe in science
So $85 million in air pollution is removed by 939 acres of trees. In PA, there are 16.6 million acres of trees. So the trees in PA remove $1.5 trillion in pollution. Got it.
DeleteAs someone who is familiar with this study and previous ones, if someone is framing this as the value generated by the County's open space program, that is misleading. It's the economic benefits provided by natural resources generally in the County. Open space is still important, and does indeed have tremendous economic value. Natural system services are real. But the county has over 230,000 acres, only about ~8.75% of which is in preservation farmland and maybe 1.5-2% in some kind of open space program. Something to keep in mind if someone is using these numbers as part of a stump speech and claiming credit for it.
ReplyDelete