New PA Wilderness!!!

“I can't wait to check this place out!!!



NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Gretchen Leslie
DCNR Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

GOVERNOR RENDELL HELPS TO DEDICATE STATE’S NEW 9,000-ACRE TRACT OF WOODLANDS
Land Becomes State Forestland Open for Public Recreation

MT. CARMEL TOWNSHIP, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (October 13, 2003) — With fall colors reflecting in a 266-acre lake behind him, Gov. Edward G. Rendell today helped to dedicate a 9,000-acre tract of woodlands in Northumberland and Columbia counties as a new addition to Pennsylvania’s state forest system.

“With this acquisition, we are opening a new outdoor recreation destination never before explored by the public,” Gov. Rendell said. “People will be able to enjoy these lands to hunt, fish, hike, canoe, bike and watch wildlife. Because of its extraordinary natural beauty and recreation opportunities, it has the potential to draw people from beyond the region to enjoy this wilderness setting.

“This property is an oasis for the entire region. For more than 100 years, it has remained protected, resulting in one of the most intact watersheds in the Commonwealth. Today, with this acquisition, we are ensuring this protection for generations to come.”

The property, located just east of Shamokin, stretches over 10 miles in length along a valley between Big and Little mountains in Coal and Mount Carmel townships in Northumberland County and Conyngham Township in Columbia County. The land contains several reservoirs, ranging up to 266 acres, as well a large swath of uninterrupted woodlands. The entire Roaring Creek Watershed lies within the property’s boundaries.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) acquired the tract earlier this month from the Pennsylvania Suburban Water Company, which managed the lands to protect the public water supply derived from the watershed. Suburban Water acquired the land in 1999 with the purchase of Consumers Pennsylvania. Water company ownership of the land dates back to the late 1800s.

Gov. Rendell praised the partnership that helped to acquire the lands. “We commend the enthusiasm of Suburban Water, The Conservation Fund and the Mellon Foundation to make this happen. It is one of those rare deals where everyone comes out a winner, especially the citizens of the Commonwealth,” he said.

Half of the project’s $4.4 million cost comes from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, with DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program providing the other $2.2 million through a land trust grant to The Conservation Fund. The Conservation Fund facilitated the transfer of land to the Commonwealth by acquiring it from the water company and donating it the state. Pennsylvania Suburban donated 2,000 of the 9,000 acres.

“We are very pleased that these precious lands will be forever protected by the Commonwealth for the enjoyment of all Pennsylvanians," said Karl Kyriss, president of the Pennsylvania Suburban Water Company. “We are pleased to continue to ensure the protection of the valuable water resource contained within these woodlands that will continue to serve as a water supply for the residents of the Roaring Creek Watershed.”

Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund, said, “This extraordinary project demonstrates the power of partnerships. Thanks to the commitment and support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Suburban Water Company, this spectacular valley, its lakes and streams will permanently be protected for future generations. Bold and innovative, this project serves as a model for the nation demonstrating that balanced conservation solutions can successfully integrate economic goals and environmental principles.”

Seward Prosser Mellon, president of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, said, “The Richard King Mellon Foundation is once again pleased to work with The Conservation Fund and to partner with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in making this extraordinarily attractive piece of property available to the public. It reaffirms our continuing effort to do our part in protecting the natural resources of our great state and nation.”

DCNR will incorporate the lands into its state forest system as part of Wyoming State Forest, managed out of its Bloomsburg-based district office. The property will be used for public recreation such as hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife watching and other yet-to-be-identified uses.

Because the water company still maintains ownership of the reservoirs and continues to operate its facilities to provide water for thousands of customers, some uses – such as ATVs, snowmobiles, power boating, and swimming – are permanently prohibited in order to protect the water supply. Non-powered boating on the two eastern-most reservoirs will be permitted.

DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said the land is now open for visitors, but cautioned access is limited. The agency plans to have a small parking lot developed off Route 42 before the start of deer season in November. Until then, visitors may enter the property by foot.

“We expect hunters will be anxious to get a glimpse of the bear, deer and small game that have inhabited these lands for years,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “We ask, however, that visitors be patient as we ready the property for general public use. DCNR must sign the area, since part of the property is still owned by the water company and will remain off-limits to the public.”

Secretary DiBerardinis noted that the land east of Route 42 will be the first area to be signed as state forest land, since there are no water company restricted access areas on that piece of property. He urged caution for hunters and hikers venturing onto the property between routes 42 and 54, since closure and safety zones may not yet be marked, and the water company can enforce no trespassing regulations on their land.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will conduct a stream and reservoir survey early next year to determine fishing regulations for the property. Fishing in Roaring Creek east of Route 42 is permitted at this time.

DCNR plans to initiate a public planning process later this year to help determine future uses for the property. More specific plans and opportunities for public input will be solicited at a public meeting to be announced at a later date. DCNR has allocated $250,000 this fiscal year for the first phase of improvements, which will include signage, a boat launch, parking areas and enhancements to the road spanning the property.

This is the second largest addition to state forestland in at least 10 years. In 2002, DCNR added 12,000 acres, known as the Litke Tract, to Sproul State Forest in Centre and Clinton counties.

This new tract adds to the 43,000-acre Wyoming State Forest, located primarily in Sullivan County. Much of the land for Wyoming was purchased from the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company in the early 1930s following the great lumbering era. Today, the forest is enjoyed by hikers, hunters, anglers, equestrians, mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

For more information about Wyoming State Forest, call (570) 387-4255, or log on to www.dcnr.state.pa.us.”

“Sweet! Sounds good. I will be on this trip with you.

That is if the knees feel up to it, and there isn't a chance of violent thunderstorms. Wait a minute...”

“this is great...let all the hunters into the place, so that they can kill all the wildlife, so that it is safer for the pedestrians....

Other than the hunting applications, I think this is wonderful...Way to go PA!!! and jmitch...are you planning a 2nd revised edition of your book?”

“So when is the first exploritory hike?”

“sounds like it might have older-growth forest, great streams, plus several lakes. maybe some views???”

“and then the rain hits...”

“is WK having flashbacks???

i got the photos (slides) back of some potential cover shots i took at the vista along the quehanna trail. AWESOME photos!!! with the mist lifting... i might just give pennsy a run for his money. well, maybe not.”

“I think I am. My knees finally have healed up.

I cannot find my camera from the trip. I have a feeling I may have dropped it somewhere.

Cool on the photo's. I was worried that there was not going to be enough light for the photos to turn out. Glad they did!

I am "knee" deep in my journal from this trip right now and I am getting to the good parts.”

“great to hear ya have a new playground in the Key Stone State :-)”

“jmitch let me know if you need any help on cover design, I work with a few really good cheap graphics artists.”

“jmitch,
Let us know when you plan for an exploratory trip in the New Wilderness. It sounds neat. Thanks for the great report.
NJpacker”

“Great news. Amazing that it was protected, being in the coalfields.”

“Lthiker- i'll keep that in mind, thanks.”

“Great News!

And right in jmitch's backyard! I wish my uncle hadn't passed away, he used to tell me stories about caves with Indian drawings in them, he lived in Tunkhannock.

Get out there and scout out the trails jmitch, we'll name all the trails after trailtalkers! and sounds like the start of a third trailbook!

Glad to here the weekend shots came out good! Can't wait to see the new book, when is it going to be published?”

“WOW...that news is Shamokin !

The property, located just east of Shamokin, stretches over 10 miles in length along a valley between Big and Little mountains in Coal and Mount Carmel townships in Northumberland County and Conyngham Township in Columbia County. ”

“That's great news. Now if they would make a similar move to protect the 40,000 acres of our watershed in NEPA it would be even better. Luzerne and Lackawanna county has already stated that they want the watershed preserved, but the next move is to come up with the money to purchase the land before it's gone forever. Looks like we'll have to do a hike on the new wilderness near Shamokin.”

“that's awesome! Every bit saved helps. Thanks for the news update, Jeff.
:o)

When are we goin'?”

“i vant to go”

“cool! let's pop that cherry!”

“LMAO”