Citizen feedback sought as PA revises forest management plan

It's the public's chance to weigh in on how the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is managing our state forests. DCNR has released the fall 2015 public meeting schedule for the public to comment on the Draft State Forest Resource Management Plan. 

The draft plan, last revised in 2007, is the main tool the Bureau of Forestry uses to manage Pennsylvania's approximately 2.2 million acre state forest system. Shale gas and water resources in state forests are among the numerous areas covered in this draft document. 

How does this affect you? 
You should attend a meeting and be prepared to express your concerns if you:

• use trails on state forest land; 
• are troubled about gas development on these lands; 
• like to camp or fish along streams that run through state forestland; 
• treasure Pennsylvania's vast expanses of forests; and 
• care how they will be impacted by climate change.

Because public lands matter now and for generations, it is important that you plan to attend and provide input at the meetings. The first meeting is on Tuesday, October 6 in Wilkes-Barre, with a total of 12 meetings across Pennsylvania through November 18. All meetings take place from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Written comments are also accepted through November 30 at StateForestPlan2015@pa.gov. Visit DCNR's website for additional information on the process. 

This is a key opportunity to provide input to the commonwealth. Watch for information about how to submit written comments with links to key issues and talking points coming soon from PennFuture. 

LOCATION	DATE	VENUE
Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton	Tuesday, Oct. 6	The Woodlands Resort 1073 Hwy 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Stroudsburg	Wednesday, Oct. 7	Stroudsmoor Inn 257 Stroudsmoor Rd Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Philadelphia	Thursday, Oct. 8	Fairmount Park Horticulture Center 100 N Horticulture Dr Philadelphia, PA 19131
Renovo	Wednesday, Oct. 21	Bucktail High School Cafeteria 1300 Bucktail Ave Renovo, PA 17764
Coudersport	Thursday, Oct. 22	Pennsylvania Lumber Museum 5660 US-6 Ulysses, PA 16948
Bedford	Tuesday, Oct. 27	Bedford Travelodge 4517 US-220 BUS Bedford, PA 15522
Pittsburgh	Wednesday, Oct. 28	Double Tree Hotel, Pittsburgh - Monroeville 101 Mall Blvd Monroeville, PA 15146
Clarion	Thursday, Oct. 29	Park Inn by Radisson 45 Holiday Inn Rd Clarion, PA 16214
State College	Tuesday, Nov. 3	Ramada Inn: Nittany Room 1450 S Atherton St State College, PA 16801
Carlisle	Tuesday, Nov. 10	Comfort Suites 10 S Hanover St Carlisle, PA 17013
Williamsport	Thursday, Nov. 12	Genetti Hotel: Terrace Room 200 W 4th St Williamsport, PA 17701

Kate Gibbons is Northeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Wilkes-Barre.