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Corbett Unveils Enhance Penn’s Woods, $200 Million Investment In State Parks, Forests

Gov. Tom Corbett Saturday offered a preview of his 2014-15 budget proposal with an announcement he is launching Enhance Penn’s Woods, a 2-year, more than $200 million effort to repair and upgrade our natural treasures.

The Governor is directing the pooling of resources and dedicating an additional $45 million dollars from Growing Greener II bond funds toward a comprehensive infrastructure development plan in state parks and forests through fiscal year 2014-15.

“There are so many ways to enjoy Pennsylvania’s great outdoors.  With such a variety of unique activities – world class fishing, hunting, hiking and one of my favorites, kayaking – there’s something for everyone in the Keystone State,” Corbett said.  “As a strategic investment in our future, we’ll make the largest, short-term investment in state park and forest history to Enhance Penn’s Woods.”

The initiative was unveiled during a tour of the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, where the Governor also purchased his fishing license.

“The hunters, anglers, campers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all types not only enjoy our natural treasures in Pennsylvania, but they also spend money in our local communities,” Corbett said.  “This short-term investment will make sure we enjoy the long-term benefits of a first class park and forest system such as healthy outdoor recreation, protecting our natural resources and attracting residents, tourists and private investment to communities around the state.”

The Governor was joined for the announcement by DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti; Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway; and families with children who participate in hunting and fishing.

“The vision of great conservation leaders in Pennsylvania’s history has resulted in the system of state parks and forests that Pennsylvanians enjoy and love today,” Ferretti said. “Our modern challenge is caring for our public lands, focusing on improvements for aging facilities; well-managed forests; and high management standards for our award-winning state parks.

“DCNR is grateful for Gov. Corbett’s commitment to honor the legacy of our state parks and forests. Our staff works tirelessly each day to protect these resources and ensure our visitors have a meaningful and enjoyable experience. This will allow us to be better stewards of the parks and forested entrusted to us,” Ferretti said.

The department estimates about 200 projects will be covered under the 2-year investment, including:

-- Improvements to some of the most visited and unique parks in the system including a visitor center at Kinzua Bridge State Park, McKean County; new park office at Cook Forest State Park, Clarion County; and completion of the visitor center at Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County;

Dam repair at Sinnemahoning State Park, Cameron County; Marsh Creek State Park, Chester County; Chapman State Park, Warren County; Pymatuning State Park, Crawford County; and Gouldsboro State Park, Monroe County;

-- New opportunities for interaction with the public at offices in the Buchanan State Forest, Fulton County, and Gallitzin State Forest, Cambria and Indiana counties;

-- Repairs to fire towers in state forests statewide;

-- Adding 20,000 acres to the state forest system;

-- Twelve campground improvement projects including at Gifford Pinchot, Prince Gallitzin, Hickory Run, Bald Eagle, Parker Dam, Laurel Hill, Hills Creek, Black Moshannon and Caledonia state parks;

-- More than 50 public access improvement projects to roads, bridges and trails;

-- Seventeen state park drinking water or wastewater system projects; and

-- Continuing DCNR’s track record of green buildings and sustainable features.

Enhance Penn’s Woods covers the current fiscal year 2013-14, and fiscal year 2014-15.  The additional special allocation of $45 million will be from premiums and interest on Growing Greener II bond funds.

For each fiscal year, the infrastructure design and construction projects are expected to support almost 1,000 jobs in the engineering, architecture, landscape design, construction and other fields.

In addition to announcing Enhance Penn’s Woods, Gov. Corbett also unveiled the Pennsylvania Outdoor Adventure Guide. Structured for outdoor enthusiasts, the 80-page guide highlights an array of recreation opportunities across the Commonwealth, and conveniently categorizes these adventures and activities.

Whether it’s launching a kayak in more than 86,000 miles of the state’s wild rivers and scenic streams or sliding down challenging runs at one of Pennsylvania’s 21 ski resorts, the guide outlines and inspires outdoor recreation of every form.

“Pennsylvania has 17 million acres of forest, attracting hikers, birdwatchers, hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts from far and wide. Our Outdoor Adventure Guide highlights the many unique tourism destinations that beckon visitors to Pennsylvania’s natural year-round playground.”

This first-of-its-kind guide represents the beginning of a unique collaboration among the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Game Commission, and the Fish & Boat Commission.

Pennsylvania has 120 state parks totaling almost 300,000 acres, and 2.2 million acres in 20 state forest districts. Visitors to Pennsylvania state parks generate more than a billion dollars in economic activity in nearby communities annually, supporting almost 13,000 jobs.

Growing Greener Coalition Urges Corbett To Protect Environmental Funding

The PA Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, Wednesday issued the following letter to Gov. Corbett urging him to protect funding for critical programs that help, protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support parks and recreation, and safeguard our historic treasures.

The text of the letter is as follows:

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, thank you for your recent announcement of more than $20 million in grants for watershed protection projects across the Commonwealth.

These grants from the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund are important investments in our communities and play a significant role in combating pollution and keeping our drinking water clean.

As you prepare to deliver your budget address next week, the Coalition strongly urges you to protect funding for the Environmental Stewardship Fund as well as for other critical conservation and recreation programs.

In addition to the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund, these programs include Farmland Preservation, Historic Preservation, the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and the Heritage Areas program.

The Coalition is firmly opposed to any cuts or freezes to these programs, especially at a time when Pennsylvania needs to be investing more money to protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support parks and recreation, and safeguard our historic treasures – not less.

Consider that:

— The Commonwealth still has 19,000 miles of streams that are unsafe for fishing and swimming.

— More than 2,000 family farms remain on the statewide list for preservation.

— Pennsylvania continues to lose three times as much forest, wildlife habitat, farmland and other open spaces to overdevelopment than we are able to preserve.

— Abandoned mines still scar almost 190,000 acres in 44 counties and are the cause of more than 5,000 miles of dead streams.

Also, consider that investments in conservation, recreation, and preservation bolster the economy. A Trust for Public Land study found that for every $ 1 invested in land and water conservation, $7 in natural goods and services is returned to the state of Pennsylvania.

Moreover, investments in parks and open space add billions of dollars to property values and help support Pennsylvania’s tourism and recreation industry.  A report by the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania generates $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and supports 219,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs. 

In addition, conservation funding is an essential component for meeting federal Clean Water Act mandates associated with the Chesapeake Bay Blueprint and the need to reduce pollution in our local rivers and streams.  Failure to meet the requirements to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment according to the Bay Blueprints timeline opens the Commonwealth up to backstops from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.  Growing Greener grants are needed for on-the- ground efforts to help meet these mandates.

Lastly, polls show strong, consistent public support for programs that improve our quality of life, boost the economy and protect the environment throughout Pennsylvania. The Growing Greener Environment Stewardship Fund – which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year – has enjoyed strong, bipartisan support from voters, legislators and governors since the beginning.

Please do not change that now.

We recognize the challenges ahead and look forward to working with you and the Legislature to ensure that funding for programs that protect our open space, preserve our family farms, support our parks and trails, and safeguard our historic treasures remains intact.

Thank you.

Sincerely, Andrew Heath, Executive Director

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