PA Environment Digest

A new state investment in a proposed off-road motorized vehicle riding park will help bring new opportunities, visitors and revenues to Northumberland County, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley said this week.

Secretary Quigley announced a new, $400,000 grant to the county to help plan and develop the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, a 6,000-acre tract of abandoned mine lands to be reclaimed to offer improved riding opportunities for off-road motorized vehicles.

"As envisioned, the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will provide a great outdoor experience to riders, a message about environmental stewardship and care of our resources. It's also a great example of how we can treat and reuse abandoned mine lands," Secretary Quigley said, adding that the state's investment will help to revitalize downtown Shamokin and surrounding municipalities.

"The park will create new economic activity, including opportunities for new businesses and employment, and foster tourism in the Lower Anthracite region and throughout the county," Secretary Quigley noted.

The acreage is located in Zerbe, Coal, West Cameron, East Cameron and Mount Carmel townships. In addition to providing a safe and regulated environment for motorized off-road vehicles, the plan also includes opportunities for walking, hiking, bicycling and horseback-riding trails.

Northumberland County officials are currently going through a public meeting process related to the proposed park.

The grant is made possible because of changes to the Snowmobile/ATV law the General Assembly enacted in 2001. Using funds from the Snowmobile/ATV fund, DCNR can award grants each year to counties, municipalities and profit and nonprofit organizations for trail development on county, municipal, non-profit and private lands. Previously, the law restricted the funds to be used solely on state-controlled lands.

Pennsylvania currently has 248,595 registered ATV owners. There currently are 247 miles of ATV trails on DCNR lands.

"Our public lands already have great pressure on them, so new areas for trails are needed," Secretary Quigley said. "Because our state forest lands cannot accommodate the volume of trails desired, we are looking to community and private partnerships, such as this facility and the similar Rock Run facility in the western part of the state, to meet that need."

Visit the Community Conservation Partnership webpage for more information on grant opportunities.

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