The House Democratic Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, will hold the hearing next Wednesday, May 1, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., on the campus of Lycoming College in the Wendle Center (Academic Hall), Room D-001, 700 Campus Place, Williamsport, PA . Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Lycoming, will co-chair the hearing.
Confirmed speakers include Mark Szybist, staff attorney from PennFuture; Ralph Kisberg and John Trallo, Responsible Drilling Alliance; Steve Szoke, Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association; Walt Nicholson, Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Curt Ashenfelter, Keystone Trails Association; Paul Zeph, Audubon Pennsylvania; and Jeff Schmidt, Sierra Club. MaryWolf representing Anadarko Petroleum, which wants to develop natural gas reserves in this part of the Loyalsock known as the Clarence Moore lands, will also speak at the hearing.
The public will then have have an opportunity to comment on the Loyalsock and the information provided at the hearing from 4:00 to 4:30.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is declining to attend the hearing. This is unfortunate, because for most of the 25,000 acres the DCNR has the power to decide whether any surface development will occur.
It has been nearly eight months since PennFuture and other conservation, recreation, hunting and fishing organizations first wrote to DCNR Secretary Richard Allan to ask the agency to commit to a meaningful public input process on the future of these important public lands. At stake are the fate of Rock Run, often hailed as Pennsylvania's most beautiful stream; the Old Loggers Path, an acclaimed hiking trail; a National Audubon Society-designated Important Bird Area; and the Devils Elbow Natural Area.
After prodding from legislators, DCNR recently held a private, invitation-only meeting on the Loyalsock and plans a webinar this week. A DCNR press release last week alluded to a future public meeting, but the agency has provided no details.
Thankfully, members of the General Assembly are stepping up and getting involved. It is going to take considerable public and legislative pressure to make sure Governor Corbett and DCNR do the right thing and use their power and leverage with Anadarko to afford the Clarence Moore lands the protection they deserve.
Please show your support for the Loyalsock by attending the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing in Williamsport next Wednesday, May 1.
