DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets July 28 On Large-Scale Solar Array Siting, Regional ATV Pilot Program

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting July 28 on large-scale solar array siting, the Regional ATV Pilot Program and other issues from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

Staff from DEP and DCNR will discuss the increasing interest in siting large-scale solar arrays on agriculture and forested lands as the demand for sustainable renewable energy continues to grow. 

Concerned about the potential loss of forests from large projects, DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is researching best practices for siting and site-specific management from other states and discussing how it can provide information, technical assistance, and coordination among affected partners. 

DCNR is not currently considering commercial-scale solar projects on state parks or forests.

Council members also will hear updates on DCNR’s budget and its new regional ATV pilot launched in mid-July in Northcentral Pennsylvania.

CNRAC Letters

CNRAC members recently prepared two letters which are available on the CNRAC web site:

-- Proposed Changes to Science Standards:  CNRAC provided comments to Pennsylvania's State Board of Education on proposed changes to the academic standards for science and technology.  CNRAC supports separate standards for science and technology and for environment and ecology, along with the inclusion of climate change and local Pennsylvania environmental issues.

-- American Rescue Plan Funding:  CNRAC urged Governor Wolf and the General Assembly to allocate American Rescue Plan Funding to the critical need for infrastructure project funding at state parks and forests.  DCNR has a project backlog in excess of $1 billion which continues to grow as maintenance, repair and replacements continue to be postponed.

Public Comment

There will be two opportunities for public comment at the meeting.  If you are interested in presenting comments, please advise by email to: kharris@bridgeconsultingcorp.com no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 27, so you can be added as an active participant.  

You can provide comments at the beginning of the meeting or at the end of the meeting.  You may also provide comments or questions after the meeting by emailing the same address or through the Council's webpage.

Click Here to register to register to attend the July 28 meeting via WebEx.

For more information and available handouts, visit the DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council webpage.

[Posted: July 21, 2021]  PA Environment Digest