John Quigley, Acting Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, this week responded to concerns raised by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, over DCNR budget cuts proposed Senate Republicans and the Governor.

Acting Secretary Quigley said $7 million of revenue from State Forest drilling leases could not be used to help offset proposed budget cuts because they are already encumbered to implementing studies related to establishing a carbon dioxide sequestration network as required in Act 129.

In response to questions about why DCNR failed to close on two natural gas drilling leases, Acting Secretary Quigley said there was no "failure to close" on DCNR's part. Only one of the four successful bidders-- Seneca Resources-- said they could not close on their bid.

Acting Secretary Quigley said he would consider future natural gas leases on the remaining 660,000 acres of State Forest land underlain by the Marcellus Shale formation as long as it did not jeopardize the sustainability certification of the State Forest and based on their evaluation of timing issues related to marketing.

DCNR provided a list of the State Parks that would close under the Senate GOP budget. Acting Secretary Quigley did said under the Governor's proposed budget cuts at DCNR, there would be "substantially reduce" park level services at five or six parks.

Acting Secretary Quigley said DCNR had considered a general entrance fee at State Parks, but found the parks are "ill designed" to collect fees.

A reduction of $819,000 in funds devoted to gypsy moth spraying in the current year budget was the result of anticipating federal funding making up the difference, said Acting Secretary Quigley. That federal funding is not anticipated to be there in the coming year.

In response to DCNR's letter, Sen White wrote back to Acting Secretary Quigley asking for futher clarifications on several issues relating to: sequestration network funding, the tree seedling program, closing on natural gas leases, identifying which State Parks would be closed and what other steps DCNR would take to close the budget gap.

Sen. White also provided a summary of DEP and DCNR budget issues for her Caucus members.

NewsClips: State Lists 50 Parks That Could Close Under GOP Budget Plan

Erie Bluffs Park Could Close

Seven NE State Parks Could Be Closed

5/29/2009