Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) and the state Assembly celebrated Earth Day 2005 by passing a package of bills to protect New York’s air, soil and water. As part of this package, Lupardo’s first prime-sponsored bill (A.7083) passed the Assembly floor. Lupardo was one of the founding members of Earth Day Southern Tier.

"We all share the responsibility to preserve our environment, which Earth Day reminds us of each year," Lupardo said. "In the Southern Tier we are all too familiar with the affects of toxins in our environment. The Assembly’s legislation will help foster the preventive measures needed to protect New York families from the pollution and other health hazards that threaten our land, air and water."

Preserving open space

Land preservation is essential for a healthy environment. Lupardo’s prime-sponsored legislation in the Assembly’s Earth Day package would establish a procedure to determine whether state-owned lands proposed for sale should be protected by the state for their natural resources (A.7083).

"Rampant overdevelopment can be destructive for our communities," Lupardo said. "My legislation will protect open space and ensure that our limited natural resources are around for generations to come."