State forest hearing Thursday

Citizens can be heard on issues as diverse as deer management, ATV riding and timber harvesting on Thursday night during a public hearing on state forest management policies.

Most of Cameron County and nearly half of Potter consists of state-owned land. How it's managed can have a huge impact on tourism, recreation and lumber industry jobs.

The Forestry Bureau's public hearing on its management plan will be held at Potato City Country Inn, on Denton Hill between Coudersport and Galeton, starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday's session will include a presentation on issues facing state forest managers, followed by a public discussion.

Ecosystem management and sustainability remain the backbone of the state's management philosophy. In the coming years, the Forestry Bureau anticipates an increased focus on recreation planning and programming, as well as wind power and other energyrelated activities

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;

• Land acquisition;

• Designation of more than 13,000 acres as wild and natural areas.

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).

Some things remain unchanged. Annual timber harvest goals remain the same, to maintain a state forest that is a more diverse mix of young and old growth and provide a wider range of wildlife habitat.

State officials say 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.

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.