The 18-member Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Committee this week recommended a temporary hold on leasing any additional State Forest land for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling until the environmental impacts of drilling on the first 74,000 acres can be evaluated.

 

The Committee also recommended future revenues from leased lands be retained, as they have been since 1955, in DCNR's Oil and Gas Lease Fund to help DCNR maintain State Parks, Forests and cope with an environmental issues arising from the drilling.

 

"Without access to this fund money, DCNR-managed State Forest lands will be damaged, affecting future use and enjoyment of these public lands," the recommendations said.

 

The recommendations were sent to Gov. Rendell and DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis.

A complete copy of the recommendations is available online.