The Governor's lifting of a 2010 executive order to prohibit further leasing of public lands puts our state parks -- a jewel of the Commonwealth -- at dire risk, and opens our state forests to additional gas drilling. Until now, state parks have been spared since drilling companies know the value and attachment Pennsylvanians have for our state parks.
Our 120 state parks attract over 38 million visitors per year and generate over $1.1 billion in economic activity. Whether you're hiking along one of the 24 named waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park, camping at Ohiopyle State Park, or picknicking at Laurel Ridge, our state park system is one of the highlights of Pennsylvania's outdoors and a huge contributor to our state's economy.
DCNR’s own report acknowledges that there are already impacts to forests, wildlife, and the public’s right to enjoyment of public lands. These will only increase. Forest fragmentation, which is destructive to biodiversity, will increase; threats to water and native plants and animals will increase; and air pollution from well infrastructure and truck traffic will rise.
This is an urgent threat, as the General Assembly works to pass a budget by June 30. Please tell your state legislators to block further leasing and to oppose any budget or Fiscal Code bill that contains revenue from new leasing of state parks and state forests. If you subscribe to our e-alerts, you'll be receiving details this week on how to contact your legislator.
Kate Gibbons is PennFuture's northeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator and is based in Wilkes-Barre.
