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PA LANDS. Federal National Forests (Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service) National Parks, including National Recreation Areas, National Historic Parks, National Historic Sites, and National Land and Water Trails (Department of Interior, National Park Service)
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PA LANDS Federal • National Forests (Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service) • National Parks, including National Recreation Areas, National Historic Parks, National Historic Sites, and National Land and Water Trails (Department of Interior, National Park Service) • National Wildlife Refuges (Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service) EXAMPLE: Delaware Water Gap Local and Non-Profit lands • Community parks, playgrounds, etc. • Nature Preserves • Easements with some public access but not full purchase. EXAMPLE: WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY – Emmaus Boulders
PA STATE LANDS • State Parks (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) 283,000 acres • State Forests (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) 2.2 m acres • State Game Lands (Pennsylvania Game Commission) 1.4 m acres • Fishing and Boating Access Areas (Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) No Data - 10s of thousands of acres
STATE GAME LANDS Mission To manage Pennsylvania's wild birds, wild mammals, and their habitats for current and future generations Where do lands come from? • Game Commission buys properties with revenues from hunting and trapping licenses, gas and oil leases and timber sales from the game lands • Donations or acquisitions from other entities. (i.e. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy) • State and Federal grants RESTRICTIONS Currently on biking, horseback riding and ATV on designated trails.
Original Proposal • This issue first surface over the summer as the PGC considered a $30 permit for bikers, horseback and ATV. • “Hikers and bird watchers are low impact. Mountain bikers, horseback riders and snowmobilers are not. Their tracks can cause streambank erosion, damage bridges and destroy habitat, among other things” • It was set on the September agenda and open for public comment. IMBA and KTA stepped up.
Current Proposal • Added “hiking” • Permit is still required but is now “free” • Added restriction: Unlawful to [Ride] Hike on foot or ride a non-motorized vehicle, conveyance or animal from the last Saturday in September until the third Saturday in January, and [before 1p.m.] from the second Saturday in April through [the last Saturday in May] Memorial Day inclusive, except on Sundays or while lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing.
Policy Statements Keystone Trails Association • Opposes restriction • Opposes permit Appalachian Mountain Club • Opposes restriction • Indorses a favorable permit system • Requires secondary users be better represented Access Fund – due on 1/21/15 • Opposes restriction • Indorses a favorable permit system • Rock climbers as important stakeholders
ACTION • Send your concerns to the PGC directly at pgccomments@pa.gov • Write your local reps • Share it with your friends • Public Comment sessions