DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet March 23 to hear presentations on forest management in state parks and DCNR’s proposed FY 2022-23 budget.

Rachel Reese and Mike DiRinaldo from DCNR's Bureau of State Parks will present the bureau’s effort to manage forests blocks on state park lands through timber cutting.

Historically, forested blocks in state parks were left unmanaged, leading to areas within the parks prone to decline due to disease and the even age of the forest.

Active management will help to create forested areas in state parks that can live longer, become more species diverse, and provide better habitat.

Stacie Amsler, Director, DCNR's Bureau of Administrative Services, will outline the major components of Gov. Wolf’s proposed $638 million total budget for DCNR, which allows the agency to continue anchoring Pennsylvania’s growing outdoor recreation economy and provide essential services to support the agency’s conservation and recreation mission. Importantly, this budget adds 31 staff positions, helping DCNR hire more rangers to strengthen public safety as well as more staff to maintain ATV trails and recreational areas and support the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.

Included in DCNR’s budget is a portion of Gov. Wolf’s proposed use of $450 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support a Growing Greener III program for conservation, outdoor recreation, and preservation. DCNR’s allotment would help to improve state parks and forests, build trails and local parks, and protect open space.

Public Comments

There will be two opportunities for public comment at the meeting.  If you are interested in presenting comments, please advise by email to Katrina Harris at: kharris@bridgeconsultingcorp.com  no later than 5 p.m. on March 22. 

You can provide comments at the beginning of the meeting or at the end of the meeting. 

You may also provide comments or questions after the meeting by emailing the same address or through the Council's website.

New Members

Jerry Walls is a long time stakeholder involved in planning and trails advocacy in Lycoming County and the surrounding region.  Jerry served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Lycoming County Planning Commission for over 37 years  and concurrently as Department Head for Planning and Community Development, Zoning and GIS.

He was chosen to represent the Pennsylvania Planning Association on the Governor’s Greenways Partnership Commission.

His persistent work toward wise use, protection and better utilization of the Susquehanna River led like-minded leaders to form the 22 county Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in 2001. 

He chaired the Partnership Board of Directors, which mobilizes counties to jointly plan for 500 miles of interconnected greenways and trails from New York to the Chesapeake Bay.

Matt Gabler is Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, the leading trade association for the industry in the Keystone State. 

PFPA membership consists of approximately 250 entities ranging from timber operators and sawmills to paper and wood product manufacturers and equipment suppliers. 

Previously, Matt served six terms as a member of the House of Representatives where he successfully authored legislation that enacted the extension of an agricultural sales tax exclusion for equipment and parts to timber operators in Pennsylvania.

He has also extensively worked with the industry to support issues of importance for economic competitiveness.

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to join the meeting online through WebEx.

For more information and available handouts, visit DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council webpage.  Questions should be directed to Katriia Harris at kharris@bridgeconsultingcorp.com.

Related Articles - Budget:

-- DCNR Budget Hearing: We Have A Unique Opportunity To Invest In Our Recreation, Clean Water & Land Conservation Infrastructure With Growing Greener III

-- DCNR Budget Testimony: Critical Investments Needed To Reduce $1.4 Billion Backlog Of Infrastructure Repairs, To Expand Local Economies, Provide Recreation For All

-- Republican Senators Propose Gas Drilling On At Least 22,000 More Acres Of State Forest, Mining 920 Acres Of Coal Under A State Park To Pay For DCNR Infrastructure Backlog

[Posted: March 15, 2022]

3/21/2022