DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets May 26 On Forest Resource Planning, 50th Anniversary Of Environmental Rights Amendment

The DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting May 26 on forest resource conservation planning, the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Rights Amendment and other issues.

Conservation Planning

Ryan Szuch, Section Chief for the Bureau of Forestry’s Forest Resource Planning, will share some current research done by the bureau to gather public perceptions on and knowledge of Pennsylvania’s forests. 

Szuch will discuss how this research is guiding the bureau as they develop their new strategic plan and how today’s public input methods are more robust and inclusive than previous plans.  

Environmental Rights

DCNR Secretary Dunn and Chief Counsel Audrey Miner will discuss the 50th Anniversary of the Environmental Rights Amendment and how DCNR serves as Trustee.  

Public Comments

There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the meeting.  If you are interested in presenting comments at the meeting, please advise by email to kharris@bridgeconsultingcorp.com  no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 25, so we can add you as an active participant.  

You may also provide comments or questions after the meeting by emailing the same address or through the Council's website.

New Information On Webpage

Several new items have been posted on Council webpage--

-- CNRAC Conversations: Equity In The Outdoors: The first in a series of online discussion on social barriers inhibiting participation and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s outdoors has been posted on YouTube.  The session featured several speakers who discussed their personal experiences and those of their peers of how social barriers affected their interaction and use of outdoor spaces.  Click Here to view the discussion on demand.

-- CNRAC’s Motorized Recreation Work Group Report Update: This report was finalized in 2019 and of the original 15 recommendations, six have been completed, five have been agree to by DCNR and are in progress, three are shared responsibilities with other agencies and one was partially rejected. This update includes two new recommendations, one on PennDOT and DCNR to work together to expand use of state-owned assets and on opening areas for recreation and liability.  Click Here to read the updated report.

Joining The Meeting

The May 26 meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to register to join the meeting via WebEx.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council webpage.

Related Articles:

-- DCNR Blog: Celebrating 50 Years Of The People's Right To A Clean Environment

-- PA Environmental Defense Foundation: A Review Of Where We Are Today On The 50th Anniversary Of PA's Environmental Rights Amendment

-- Now On Sale! New Book By Franklin Kury Makes The Case For A Constitutional Right To A Healthy Environment

[Posted: May 19, 2021]  PA Environment Digest