The proposals also include $1 million each year to help citiesand towns upgrade their local plans for conservation anddevelopment, state officials note.

The governor proposes the state appropriate a total of $245million in state bonds per year for the next two years for cleanwater projects, along with annual funding of $10 million each forthe state's Recreation and Natural Heritage Program and Open SpaceGrant Program. Her proposals also include $10 million per year forthe Farmland Preservation Program and $5 million per year for theBrownfield Remediation Pilot Program and $2.5 million per year forgrants to regional brownfield redevelopment loan funds.

"We know we need economic development and progress, and we knowwe need housing and other projects that consume land," Gov. Rellsays. "Our task is to find a way to balance these needs withthoughtful and forward-thinking policies that will preserve -forever preserve - the character and beauty of our state. The pathto balance is responsible growth."