THREATS to Our Forests
Our State Forests represent a two-million acre water treatment plant and
air purification system. These forests provide hunting, fishing, hiking
and other recreational opportunies as well as an aesthetic setting that is
vital for Pennsylvania's tourism industry. State Forests are the largest
publicly-owned habitat for plants and animals in Pennsylvania.
There are many threats to the good stewardship of our public lands,
including timber theft, disease, dumping, motorized trespass, fire,
poaching and the industrialization of our State Forests.
These photos show examples of how our State Forests look after
"Industrialization" - converting largely unfragmented forest to a gas
patch of wellpads, compressor stations and pipelines which fragment
our natural landscape. These sites will not be removed / restored
during your lifetime, perhaps never.
Here is an eye-opening tour of gas-drilling
operations on State Forest (DCNR) lands:
Most photos were taken on DCNR-leased tracts, not inholdings.
Details are available from Coalition-Secretary@comcast.net
OUR RIGHT TO CLEAN AIR AND WATER
PEDF, the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation, is the leader in
stewardship because of taking legal action to ensure that the words of
Article 1, Section27 of our State Constitution (our right to pure air and clean water )
will be enforced.
See http://www.pedf.org/
Every elected official in Pennsylvania promises to uphold that provision
when they are sworn into office. Keep reminding them of that promise.
