SO MUCH STATE-OWNED LAND
How to manage it is topic of September public hearing

Most of Cameron County and nearly half of Potter consists of state forest land.

How these hundreds of thousands of acres are managed can have a huge impact on everything from tourism and timber harvesting to the management of deer and other wildlife populations.

Yet, few citizens are aware of the fact that they can have a say in the state's management decisions.

The next opportunity comes on Thursday night, Sept. 20, when the Forestry Bureau holds a public hearing on its management plan at Potato City Country Inn, on Denton Hill between Coudersport and Galeton.

Current management decisions, affecting timber cutting, recreational use, insect control and other aspects of the forest, are based on a plan in place since 2003.

"The passage of four years brings new threats, challenges and potential," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "Hearing from the public gives us insight into their needs and concerns, which allows us to adapt our management strategies."

The Sept. 20 session will include a presentation on issues facing state forest managers, followed by a public discussion.

DiBerardinis said ecosystem management and sustainability remain the backbone of the state's management philosophy.

"But there will be increased focus on recreation planning and programming, as well as wind power, carbon sequestration and other energyrelated activities," he added.

Highlights of proposed changes to the state forest resource management plan include:

• A limited lifting of a moratorium on shallow-gas drilling;

• Increased attention to invasive species, both insects and plants;

• Pursuit of opportunities for land acquisition; and

• Designation of more than 13,000 acres as wild and natural areas, first proposed in 2003.

Detailed information about the plan can be found on the website dcnr.state.pa.us (choose Forestry, then State Forest Resource Management Plan 2007 Update).

Pointing to the recent discovery of the emerald ash borer, the spread of the wooly adelgid and emergence of other serious insect and invasive plant threats, DiBerardinis said forest pest management and ecological efforts will be topics for discussion.

"Some things remain unchanged," said DiBerardinis. "Annual timber harvest goals remain the same, as our production goals remain on target, and we're committed to providing a state forest that is a more diverse mix of young and old growth to provide a wider range of wildlife habitat."

The secretary said the balance between forest habitat and whitetail deer populations is improving, and in some areas the need for deer fencing to protect young forests is declining.

A similar public input session will be held on Sept. 18 in Renovo.

Written comments will be accepted until Oct. 31, either online, at a public meetings, or through the mail to: Bureau of Forestry, State Forest Plan Update, P.O. Box 8552, Harrisburg PA 17105-8552.