DCNR's Conservation & Natural Resources Council Meets Nov. 17 On Proposed Maryland National Guard Low-Level Training Flights Over PA Wilds, State Forest Timber Harvests

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting November 17 to hear updates on timber harvesting in State Forests and the proposal by the Maryland National Guard for low-level Training over the PA Wilds.

Timber Harvests

Seth Cassell, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, will provide an overview of the status of timber harvesting at state forests. Pennsylvania’s state forests contain an abundance of high-quality forest products, an integral part of the materials base of the Commonwealth’s $19 billion per year forest products industry. 

Both Pennsylvania’s consumers and the general economy benefit from this regionally important supply of forest products, including timber.  

Seth will update CNRAC on changes and activities over the past two years.

Low-Level Flights

Nicole Faraguna, DCNR Policy Director, will give an update on DCNR's review of the recently released draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact on the Duke Low MOA by the Maryland Air National Guard.  

The Environmental Assessment proposes modifying the airspace over parts of north central Pennsylvania for training. 

The proposal lowers the existing Duke Military Operating Area (MOA) from 8,000 feet to 100 feet above ground level (AGL); the primary Pennsylvania counties impacted would be Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter, and Tioga.

Economics & The Outdoors

If you missed the Council's October 27 webinar on Economics And The Outdoors, a recording is available on demand at the Council's webpage.

Moderated by Silas Chamberlin, CNRAC member and Vice President of Economic and Community Development of the York County Economic Alliance, the webinar featured an expert panel of economic development, tourism, and business leaders addressing the impact public assets like parks, forests and trails have on our economic and community health and vitality.

Public Comments

If you are interested in presenting comments, please advise by email to kharris@bridgeconsultingcorp.com  no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 16, 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.

The Council meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

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

Related Article:

-- Maryland National Guard Seeking Permission To Fly Combat Training Missions Within 100 Feet Of Ground Level In Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter & Tioga Counties - The PA Wilds

[Posted: November 10, 2021]  PA Environment Digest