COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commonwealth News Bureau Room 308, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Christina Novak DCNR Press Secretary (717) 772-9101
SENATE’S BUDGET WOULD CLOSE AT LEAST 35 STATE PARKS, PUT HELP FOR COMMUNITIES, NATURAL RESOURCES AT RISK Families, Outdoor Enthusiasts Would Miss Out on Popular Destinations; Businesses Relying on Visitors Will Suffer Millions in Losses
HARRISBURG (May 14, 2009) — The millions of visitors who flock to Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests to relax and experience nature’s beauty would have fewer opportunities to do so under a budget plan that passed the Senate last week.
If enacted, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley said the Senate proposal will force the agency to close at least 35 state parks and 1,000 miles of state forest roads, which would sharply reduce access for anglers, hunters and hikers.
Under Senate Bill 850, an additional $19 million would be cut from DCNR’s budget beyond the difficult but prudent reductions Governor Edward G. Rendell proposed in February.
“Families that cannot afford to take a vacation because of the tough economic times could always count on enjoying a little rest and relaxation at a nearby state park or forest,” said Quigley. “However, if the Senate’s budget proposal is enacted, there would be even fewer of those opportunities as we would have to close a number of state parks. That means less traffic and fewer dollars being spent in the rural communities with businesses and jobs that count on these parks and forests.
“The Senate’s proposal would be absolutely devastating to these rural areas and to our efforts to preserve our natural resources for present and future generations. In contrast, the Governor’s budget proposal reflects the difficult economy we now face and would still allow us to provide a quality outdoor experience for our citizens and visitors,” Quigley said, also noting that closing 35 state parks would turn away more than 3 million visitors and wipe out at least $57 million in visitor spending on products and services in nearby communities.
Many other programs that enhance a visitor’s experience at a state park or forest, protect natural resources, or help communities offer more recreational opportunities also would suffer under the Senate’s proposal. About 40,000 acres of forest would be vulnerable to gypsy moths because the department will not be able to apply treatments, while a program that offers one million tree seedlings for purchase by landowners would be eliminated. The seedling program helps protect watersheds, control soil erosion, reclaim former mining areas, and provide food and cover to wildlife.
In addition, DCNR would likely remove state forest rangers who serve as the primary contact for visitors and who promote safety and enforce the law on forestlands. Local governments and communities that depend on DCNR for important topographic, geologic and technical information, as well as help with 1,000 active grants for parks, trails and other recreational developments will receive less help under the Senate’s proposal.
Quigley also noted that the Senate’s plan does not restore funding for the department’s heritage tourism grants, despite repeated criticisms by the caucus when Governor Rendell made the difficult decision to cut the program.
Pennsylvania has 117 state parks and 2.1 million acres of state forests, including 3,000 miles of roads that provide access to the forests.
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2009
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Re:Possible park closures? DCNR and the state Sena - 2009/06/01 21:39I put together a IMBA action alert about this today, it should be released on Wednesday. It should have direct links to your legislatators. Long and short of it is DCNR is caught in a political battle. The budget is always hard to pass every July 1st, and this year is even worse. on top of that, there is a lot of external pressure for DCNR to allow more drilling in the Marceles Shale region. Certain state senators alluded to this as the way for DCNR to solve their own problems already. Unfortunately, the trust fund that such leases would typically go into for environmental restoration and enhancement has already been taken away from DCNR. SO by all means, contact your legislator. Right now, just about every park we could go to except Black Mo is on the chopping block.
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Re:Possible park closures? DCNR and the state Sena - 2009/06/02 10:49The parks closing is a kind of crappy thing, but in the end it would just be temporary, right? More drilling in the Marcellus Shale are would be a disaster that we would have with us long after we are all gone. I was under the impression that when DCNR inventoried their potential lands for Marcellus drilling that they leased basically everything that they felt wouldn't have a huge impact on the quality of the land. What else would they lease?
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Re:Possible park closures? DCNR and the state Sena - 2009/06/02 11:39Its hard to say whether it would be temporary, common sense says yes, but this is the government we are talking about. There was a push to develop a private resort at Prince Gallitzen a few years ago, but it was shot down over public outcry and the unfeasibility of the site (not close enough to a highway). If parks were mothballed, you can be sure that someone will get the idea that these would be better off in private hands. Yes, there was an impact study done related to the Marceles Shale, but there are always people screaming for more (drill, baby drill, anyone?).
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Re:Possible park closures? DCNR and the state Sena - 2009/06/02 12:53not that i don't have a soft spot for our local state parks and I certainly don't want to see them closed even for the season, but if you do write your state reps, mention Blue Knob specifically, since there is a lot of good mountain biking actually in the state park there (vs here where its all in the state forest). LHORBA has done a lot of great work over there and it would be a real waste for that momentum to get turned around.
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I think that we should make a point to address Blue Knob and RB Winter specifically. Most of Rothrock seems spared for mountain bikes. But it needs to be addressed because this isn't just about us as mountain bikers but as swimmers, campers, and hikers. Is anyone interested in drafting a letter or something?
I am going to call Corman in a little while.
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Plus this? - 2009/06/02 14:09Frank, Do you know what's up with this too? All this money for x,y, and z but then park closures? Confused.
Gov. Rendell announces $44 million Investment in recreation, conservation projects
Residents will benefit from the investment of nearly $44 million for 316 conservation and recreation projects that are designed to help revitalize communities and protect natural resources, Governor Edward G. Rendell said yesterday.
Fall trail.“The health and vitality of our communities is reflected in the quality of their parks and trails, access to rivers, open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities,” Governor Rendell said. “This round of grants will fund hundreds of projects to help preserve and enhance those natural amenities.”
Funding for the grants comes from DCNR's Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax, Growing Greener I and II and the ATV/Snowmobile Fund.
The grants will fund a variety of projects, including 66 miles of trails, 4,341 acres of open space, 10 swimming pools, 135 community parks and 73 planning projects for regional efforts, parks, greenways and trails.
Some examples of projects include:
* More than $2.1 million for projects in the 12 counties in the north central region that make up the Pennsylvania Wilds, providing support for important park and trail infrastructure improvements that will enhance recreation opportunities for area residents and make communities in the region attractive places for economic investments by the private sector. Included is $120,000 for ATV trail rehabilitation and the addition of several miles in the Allegheny National Forest and $45,200 to the Forest County Snowmobile Club for snow grooming equipment to maintain 75 miles of trails; * A grant of $42,500 to the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and $100,000 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for workshops and technical assistance related to planting trees and shrubs as buffers along streams; * A $100,000 grant to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for work in large and special landscapes in the South Mountain area in south central Pennsylvania; $300,000 to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor for the Lehigh Valley Greenways initiative, and $25,000 to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for conservation education and outreach for the Poconos Forest and Waters approach; * To help protect open space in Chester County, $1.6 million to the Natural Lands Trust to acquire 112 acres in Franklin Township; and * For the development of boat launches and access along the Beaver and Shenango rivers, $45,000 to Lawrence County.
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Re:Plus this? - 2009/06/02 19:43I'm starting to think this is just a bluff. They just want to get everyone's approval to lease the rest of Pennsylvania to the gas companies.
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Re:Plus this? - 2009/06/02 21:25i dont like rendel anymore than anybody else, but we can't pin this one on barney ruble. his budget didn't have the closures in it, it was the republican house guys, i believe that came up with this gem
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Re:Plus this? - 2009/06/03 08:44I've just contacted Suzan Erem at Voices to see about getting in a story about the budget for the next issue. It might be too late but it's a worth a shot.
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Re:Plus this? - 2009/06/07 21:12Most likely, and hopefully, just political grand standing. If it comes to pass, even temporarily, how will they "close" the roads, and what will that mean to our riding? And what about access to all of the camps.
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Re:Plus this? - 2009/06/08 11:10First let me say that i have already written my state guys about not closing the parks, but from a mountain biker perspective, its really not that terrible an issue. First it is just the state parks they plan to "close" and even at that they are saying they wont close state park roads or even trails that are open to bikes, but no pools, campgrounds, lakes etc. also the article mentioned no or much less "enforcement" in the parks. As far as state forest road closures, Im sure they will not close roads that are needed for camp access. Anything is possible, it is the state, but my guess is they would look to close remote roads way up in moshanon, sproal, etc to cut down to nothing what little patrolling they do on them. not sure if you have seen how they closed kettle road when they paved it, but they just mounded up dirt at the bottom
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