The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday announced repairs to a storm-damaged, on-site sewage treatment system at Little Pine State Park will require removal of a 7-acre tract of white pine from the park’s Lycoming County woodlands.

Overseen by DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of Forestry, the tree removal will be structured to reduce both visitor and environmental impact in an area where uprooted trees had heavily damaged sanitary sewage lines servicing the park’s campgrounds.

“Visitors will notice the removal of the trees, but it is necessary, not only for repairs to begin, but also to ensure the sanitary system servicing our campgrounds functions properly in the future,” said Bureau of State Parks Director David Kemmerer. “The removal will prevent future damage to the lines from additional trees being blown down.”

The project will begin late this month or in early February, when the park’s campgrounds are closed. Felling and on-site chipping of trees is expected to be complete before camping resumes in April.

“Once line repairs are made, the area will be replanted to restore the aesthetic features of the campground throughout the upcoming growing season,” Kemmerer said.

The Bureau of Forestry will assist in advertising for tree removal bids and final permitting. To reduce site impact, initial plans call for in-place chipping of downed trees rather than skidding, and work areas will be graded and seeded.

As the project will be highly visible from the heavily traveled Midstate Trail traversing the east side of the park, details will be posted along the trail to inform passing hikers.

Surrounded by Tiadaghton State Forest, the 2,158-acre Little Pine State Park is among the many rugged natural resources of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The 94-acre Little Pine Lake, hiking trails, campground and nesting bald eagles are among the park’s major attractions.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s State Parks, call 1-888-PA-PARKS between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; or visit  DCNR’s State Parks webpage.

1/20/2014