Section 2012 - Declaration of policyThe General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Fundamental to the health and welfare of the people of Pennsylvania are the land and water resources of this Commonwealth as described in section 27 of Article I of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.(2) Commonwealth parks, game lands, fishing areas, historical sites, educational facilities, community parks, recreation areas, natural areas, zoos and libraries are significant assets and are important contributors to tourism, economic development and recreation.(3) The Commonwealth's park and forest systems, its historic sites, many local park areas, zoos and recreational facilities, particularly in our urban centers, and public libraries are at the heart of numerous studies which demonstrate a well-documented need for the immediate provision of funding for rehabilitation of these park and recreation facilities of critical importance to visitor safety and environmental protection and for the acquisition of recreation and open space lands which face imminent loss or damage.(4) In order to facilitate the improvement of the Commonwealth's park and forest systems, our local park and recreation facilities, our natural areas, our zoos, our historic sites, educational facilities and our public libraries, it is necessary to make substantial expenditures for capital improvements.(5) Growth in financial support for recreation in this Commonwealth has not kept up with the growing needs of recreation consumers.(6) A predictable and stable source of funding has been well documented as the most appropriate way to achieve a solution to the funding problems facing parks, natural areas, recreation, historic preservation facilities, educational facilities, zoos and public libraries in this Commonwealth.(7) The continued need for recreation and community services requires the development of new, and rehabilitation of existing, indoor and outdoor recreation, park, historic, zoo and library facilities.(8) The Commonwealth must act to develop and rehabilitate and to assist municipalities to develop and to rehabilitate newly and previously acquired lands and facilities for recreation, historical uses, conservation and environmental education so that the public may have access and enjoyment of these areas and facilities.(9) The Commonwealth must act to acquire and to assist municipalities to acquire lands for recreation, historical uses, conservation and environmental education so that the public may have access and enjoyment of these areas and facilities.1993, July 2, P.L. 359, No. 50, § 2, imd. effective.