On August 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and other DCNR officials toured the McKean Conservation Area in McKean Township, Erie County and discussed how the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan could help address green infrastructure needs in the state.

“DCNR is proud to assist McKean Township and Lake Erie Region Conservancy in this effort, and this is just the start in the planning and development of this beautiful 88-acre site,” Dunn said. “Much more is needed to improve the project to its maximum benefit. This is exactly the type of green infrastructure the Restore Pennsylvania proposal would benefit.”

Restore Pennsylvania is a statewide plan to aggressively address the Commonwealth's vital infrastructure needs. Funded through a commonsense severance tax, Restore Pennsylvania is the only plan that will help make Pennsylvania a leader in the 21st century.

Reflecting a DCNR investment of $177,000 in grant funds to assist McKean Township and Lake Erie Region Conservancy, the Erie County conservation area is designed to enhance the ecology of the region and increase environmental education opportunities.

Future phases of the project would provide for new trails and amenities at a cost of at least $1,138,005. A master site plan has been completed, providing framework for decisions on hiking, fishing, nature education, and other outdoor recreation.

Walking the site with township and conservation area officials, Dunn noted Restore Pennsylvania could provide green infrastructure funding for improvements to the area on things such as construction of loop trails; improved quality and access to Elk Creek; new woodlands with invasive species management initiatives; parking areas; kiosks with trail signage; and viewing areas.

For more information on plans for this area, read the McKean Conservation Area Master Plan.

For an overview of the proposed infrastructure plan, visit read the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan article.

NewsClips:

DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA

DCNR Highlights How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs At French Creek State Park, Berks County

DCNR Celebrates Lake Appreciation Month With Presque Isle Park Visit, Discusses Restore PA Benefits

DCNR Chief Stumps At Presque Isle For State Parks Funding Plan

DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area

DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA

Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County

Pike 2 Bike Trail Gets $1 Million State RCAP Grant

Related Articles This Week:

Oil & Gas Lease Fund Was Part Of The Public Trust; PEDF Says Court Ignores PA Supreme Court Decision

Gov. Wolf Announces Redevelopment Assistance Project Grants, Including $30.4 Million For 20 Environmental, Recreation, Energy Projects

DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area, Erie County

Related Articles - State Budget:

Major Environmental Priorities Not Addressed In FY 2019-20 State Budget, Shell Game Continues

Politicians In Harrisburg Are Proud Of Their New State Budget! -- Meanwhile In The Real World…

Growing Greener Coalition: Cuts Made To Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Funding Could Have Planted 32,000 Acres of Stream Buffers

Growing Greener Coalition: Lawmakers Name Hellbender Clean Water Ambassador, Then Cut $16 Million For Clean Water Projects

CBF: PA Elected Leaders Failed To Show The Will, Leadership To Restore Pennsylvania's Rivers And Streams

CBF: State Needs To Step Up Support For Those Working Hard To Cleanup PA's Rivers And Streams - Harry Campbell

Op-Ed: Conservation Efforts Lose Out In State Budget - Len Lichvar

[Posted: August 3, 2019]

8/5/2019