2001 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Environment
Bob Wise:
Create cabinet Environment post; end tradeoff with economy
It was the prevailing wisdom in the last century, and in previous generations, that economic growth carried the price of environmental sacrifice. We in West Virginia often divided ourselves into two camps - energy on one side, environment on the other.
In so doing, we lost sight of a basic truth: we will share the future of West Virginia together. It is my goal to put behind us the era of divisiveness on the issue of West Virginia’s environment. All of us who love West Virginia - whether we work at
behind a desk or a dozer, at a coal mine or a corporate headquarters - love our hills, our rivers, our woods and our valleys. We can have a clean environment-and we can have good paying jobs. And there must be no higher economic development priority-
therefore-I ask you to elevate the Director of the Division of Environmental Protection to the post of secretary, and add this official to the Governor’s Cabinet to emphasize the importance of environmental protection.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to West Virginia Legislature
Feb 14, 2001
Frank Keating:
Regulate our precious environment because we love Oklahoma
Hog and poultry industries are growing in our state, without the kind of pollution problems others have experienced, thanks to foresight and wise regulation. We enacted the strictest swine regulation bill in US history and the first of the nation’s
poultry regulation bills. We understand the most precious thing we have is clear water and clear air. Our environment is exceedingly important as a quality of life issue for us, and we enacted these regulations, together, because we love Oklahoma.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Oklahoma legislature
Feb 5, 2001
John Engler:
More investment of Natural Resources Trust Fund
Conserving Michigan’s land resources has also been a focus. In fact, during the past decade, more than 46,000 acres of land were acquired by the state and local governments for public use. Much of that land was paid for by the Natural Resources Trust
Fund (NRTF). We will do even better if our State Treasurer is allowed the investment options for the NRTF approved for other state funds. I support this constitutional amendment to increase the return on investment and allow for additional conservation.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
Don Sundquist:
Supports new State Forest and 23 new natural areas
Part of our dream is to keep Tennessee beautiful. Just in the last six years, we’ve added 23 new natural areas covering thousands of acres. Thanks to private donations and the cooperation of government agencies, this land has come at very little cost and
requires only minor maintenance. In rugged areas of East Tennessee, elk run free for the first time in 135 years. For the first time in over 50 years, Tennessee has a new State Forest, the Gulf Tract in Cocke County. It’s 6,800 acres nestled between
two national forests alongside the Appalachian Trail. It’s filled with diverse hardwoods, native trout streams and black bear.
Tennessee’s rivers and lakes are cleaner than they’ve been in over 25 years. Our soil is cleaner.
Our air is cleaner. We’re cleaning up our environment, and the eagle has returned to soar over Tennessee. These are just some of the ways that, together, we are protecting, conserving and managing Tennessee’s treasures for generations to come.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Tennessee legislature
Jan 29, 2001
Judy Martz:
Stewardship belongs with the states
Montanans stand tall when we take a measure of those who battled in one way or another against wildfire last summer. With time, valuable resources and possessions will be replaced. For some things, it will take as long as a generation.
But we will remember fire’s lesson: Our survival in a fragile ecosystem depends upon careful stewardship and ultimately the grace of God. We expect a seat at the table in planning how to effectively manage the forests we recreate in and rely upon.
We will urge the Bush Administration to listen to the West, and return stewardship responsibility to our capable hands where it belongs. And we will not rest until our voices are heard. Montana should lead in making decisions about managing OUR land.
We will never forget the industries that built this state -- and I support environmentally safe mining, timber-harvest and oil and gas production on our public lands.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Montana Legislature
Jan 25, 2001
Judy Martz:
Government duty to protect species & water
Government, particularly in Montana, has a significant duty to protect our water rights, stream access, habitat and wildlife. Access to our rivers and streams in Montana has been an important issue since pioneers first arrived.
The Stream Access Law withstood two court challenges and we formed citizen advisory councils who have offered common sense solutions for some of our stream-crowding issues. Water in the West, as we all know, is like gold.
Montana institutionalized the leasing of water for in-stream and fisheries benefits. We will continue to support efforts to protect species of special concern. We will continue to support the catch and release angling
for bull and cutthroat trout in an effort to help these species survive. We will continue to implement species conservation plans for our native cutthroat trout, bull trout, grayling, and sturgeon.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Montana Legislature
Jan 25, 2001
Ruth Ann Minner:
Livable Delaware: channel development against sprawl
We need to pursue a strategy that will keep sprawl in check, reduce traffic congestion, strengthen our towns and cities, and protect our huge investment in roads, schools and other infrastructure. I propose to call it “Livable Delaware.” “Livable
Delaware” is not anti-growth. It will offer carrots, not sticks, to channel development to growth zones that already have been designated by state, county and local governments. Elements of such a strategy already are in place.
Open space and farmland preservation. Redevelopment of brownfield sites. Preservation of our major highway corridors to promote safer travel and minimize the need to build new roads in the future. Tax credits for historic preservation.
Coordination and cooperation among state agencies, the county and the community on projects like AstraZeneca. I plan to unveil my full “Livable Delaware” strategy in the coming months.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Delaware Assembly
Jan 25, 2001
Angus King:
Maine is clean & getting cleaner
Our environment-already one of the best in the world-is getting better.- We have cleaner air: In the mid-80s, Maine averaged 9 days of unhealthy air a year. In 1999, we had 1.
- We have a cleaner marine environment:Over 100,000 acres of clam flats
have been opened in the last 5 years and the value of the lobster catch is at an all-time high.
- We have cleaner workplaces: As a result of the Toxic Use Reduction Act, we have seen a 57% reduction in toxic materials released.
- We have cleaner rivers
Dioxin levels in river fish have steadily declined as the nation’s most stringent dioxin standards have been implemented ahead of schedule.
- We’re improving our forests: The Forest Practices Act has been strengthened, and most of Maine’s large
landowners-including the state itself-are voluntarily going through an outside audit of their forest practices.
- We are preserving our natural heritage: Last year, the state acquired Scarborough Beach and 29 miles of shorefront on Moosehead Lake.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Me. legislature
Jan 24, 2001
Angus King:
Promote Smart Growth via tax breaks
The Smart Growth initiatives include promoting investments in our downtowns and service center communities, and helping communities restore traditional neighborhoods. It also includes preserving our open rural spaces and promoting agriculture by reducing
penalties on farmland under the Farm and Open Space Tax Act, eliminating the sales tax on electricity use in agriculture and aquaculture, and strengthening our Right to Farm law. I strongly support this package, and will work hard to implement it.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Me. legislature
Jan 24, 2001
Benjamin Cayetano:
Balance growth against environmental protection
Economic growth should never come at the expense of our natural environment. I propose a long-range analysis of our State’s carrying capacity to help evaluate our State’s ability to endure growth. We will look at whether the State’s infrastructure & our
natural resources can survive such growth without being damaged. The results of this analysis will be used to create a strategic plan to make sure we balance our economic interests in maintaining tourism with our duty to protect our natural environment.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Hawaii Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
Benjamin Cayetano:
$22M to improve state parks
Our parks system needs our attention now. We must repair worn facilities, upgrade older ones, and otherwise beautify these parks. I am proposing spending $22 million in capital improvements to repair and
maintain our State parks. For the long-term care of our parks, I am proposing that half the money from the hotel room tax that does not go for marketing be used to improve and protect the wonders of our State parks system.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Hawaii Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
Mike Leavitt:
Spruce up, clean up and keep up our state parks
In a world where most jobs can be located anywhere, now, more than ever, preserving our quality of life is an economic imperative. The natural beauty of Utah and opportunities for recreation are a major draw.
For this reason I ask you to join me in a major drive to spruce up, clean up and keep up our state parks and monuments. These are our heritage.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 16, 2001
Mike Leavitt:
Heritage Waters: 1% of all rivers for recreational fishing
I propose a new initiative to devote one percent of our streams and rivers to truly great fly fishing. By dedicating these waters to quality catch-and- release fisheries, and by devoting the revenue they generate to improving streams and habitat,
we can create a system of Heritage Waters that will not only preserve a wonderful part of our culture and recreation, but it will be an economic boon for the areas in which these waters reside.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 16, 2001
Jim Gilmore:
Extend “Virginia Naturally”: empower people with knowledge
My administration [will] be a responsible steward of our precious natural resources. Last year I launched a new environmental education initiative called Virginia Naturally 2000. Our goal was to empower people with the knowledge they need
to make the right decisions about protecting the environment. I’m pleased to announce we are extending Virginia Naturally through this year. Working together, as an informed and dedicated community, we can keep our commitment to a cleaner environment.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
Jim Gilmore:
Extend "Virginia Naturally": empower people with knowledge
My administration [will] be a responsible steward of our precious natural resources. Last year I launched a new environmental education initiative called Virginia Naturally 2000. Our goal was to empower people with the knowledge they need to make
the right decisions about protecting the environment. I'm pleased to announce we are extending Virginia Naturally through this year. Working together, as an informed and dedicated community, we can keep our commitment to a cleaner environment.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
Dirk Kempthorne:
Supports salmon recovery without breaching Snake River dams
Despite the years of conflict over salmon recovery, we produced the Four Governors’ Agreement. With our neighbors from Washington, Oregon and Montana we have provided a roadmap for salmon recovery. It represented consensus. It respected states’ water
rights and property rights. It did not call for breaching the lower Snake River dams. It has empowered the states to set their own priorities for salmon recovery, instead of reacting to federal dictates.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Dirk Kempthorne:
States’ rights: no grizzly bears; no roadless forests
Its time to move command and control away from Washington, D.C. and get the decision-making down to where it should be - on the ground and in the hands of the land managers - our national forest supervisors and our state foresters.
Can you believe the Clinton Administration proposal to re-introduce flesh-eating grizzly bears into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness? Folks, this could be the first land management action in history to result in sure death and injury of citizens.
We will challenge this blatant confrontation to our state sovereignty in federal court.
And just last week, in its waning days, the Clinton Administration announced its intent to implement its roadless plan,
ignoring the Idaho Land Board. We will go to court once again to prevent this misguided and flawed federal policy from taking effect.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Parris Glendening:
$955 million for public transit & Smart Growth initiatives
We must take the next dramatic steps to make Smart Growth a permanent fixture on Maryland’s landscape.- We will create a “Smart Growth Clearing House,” a one-stop information center for builders, planners, environmentalists, farmers, and others who
want to incorporate Smart Growth into their initiatives.
- We will also advance the Smart Growth / Anti-Sprawl ethic with a $750 million investment in public transportation. Our goal is to double Transit ridership by the year 2020.
- We will also
launch a new “Community Legacy” program with an initial commitment of $15 million. This program--modeled after Rural Legacy-will fill in funding gaps in existing programs to revitalize targeted neighborhoods.
- We will expand our efforts to focus on
Community Parks & Playgrounds with a 3-year, $45 million initiative.
- [We propose a] 5-year, $145 million investment in Maryland’s “Green Print”. We will do more to preserve large tracts of open space, and work to connect already preserved lands.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech to Maryland legislature
Jan 8, 2001
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