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Governor Wolf Signs Executive Order Reinstating Moratorium On New Leases For Oil and Gas Development In State Parks and Forests

Posted on January 30, 2015

On January 29, 2015, Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order reinstating a moratorium on new leases for oil and gas development in state parks and forests. At an event in Benjamin Rush State Park, Governor Wolf signed the executive order with members of the General Assembly in attendance.

“Natural gas development is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy, but so is the economic and environmental viability of our parks and forests,” said Governor Wolf. “This is about striking the right balance. Our state parks and forests are unique assets that should be preserved, protected, and utilized by our residents for recreational purposes.”

Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has concluded that additional leasing jeopardizes the agency’s ability to sustain the commonwealth’s gold-standard forest certification, which is vital the economic and environmental well-being of the state’s parks and forests. The executive order states that effective immediately, DCNR is directed to protect the lands of the Commonwealth that are held in trust for its citizens and for future generations, and subject to future advice and recommendations made by DCNR, no State Park and State Forest lands owned and/or managed by DCNR shall be leased for oil and gas development.

Filed Under: Alert/Update, Public Policy Tagged With: DCNR, governor, state forests, state parks

Oil & Gas Lease Fund Continues to Be Siphoned

Posted on March 1, 2012 Leave a Comment

Governor Corbett’s proposed 2012-13 state budget continues the practice begun under Governor Rendell of funding DCNR’s general operations through Oil and Gas Lease Fund revenues rather than through the state’s general fund.

Historically, the Oil and Gas Lease Fund revenue had been dedicated for improving state park and forest infrastructure and acquiring lands important to the integrity and quality of the state parks and forests. Act 50 of 2009 provides $50 million for an annual appropriation from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to DCNR. Governor Corbett’s budget will mean an additional $19.5M of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to be allocated for state parks operations. The budget proposal does not indicate a transfer of excess funds going to the state’s general fund.

Oil & Gas Lease Fund Budget Sheet (2012-13)

Filed Under: Public Policy Tagged With: state budget, state forests, state parks

Budget Proposes Additional $75M in State Forest Drilling Royalties

Posted on February 13, 2014 Leave a Comment

In his 2014-15 budget proposal, Governor Corbett budget proposes:

to allow limited drilling activity on commonwealth-owned lands in instances where the drilling can occur without the need for additional surface impacts. While this change will result in limited drilling activity, it is projected to generate $75 million of immediate revenue to the commonwealth and significant additional royalty revenue into the future. (2014-15  Governor’s Executive Budget)

Additional Resources

Governor Corbett discusses this proposal in an interview with NPR State Impact reporter Mary Wilson (2/17/2014).

Governor’s Proposed 2014-2015 Budget

 

Filed Under: Public Policy Tagged With: state budget, state forests

Land Trusts, Trail Groups, Local Governments, and Other Landowners Get New Liability Protection

October 25, 2018

On October 24, 2018, Governor Wolf signed Act 98 into law. Act 98 amends the Pennsylvania Recreation Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) to better protect from liability those who open their properties to the public for recreation without charge. Improvements to the law include: Explicitly listing paths, paved and unpaved trails, fishing and […]

Governor Signs HB 2468

June 25, 2018

Governor Wolf quietly signed HB 2468 (and several other bills) into law on Sunday, June 24. The bill is now Act 45 of 2018. A correction to the previous PALTA communication: Act 45 should apply retroactively to McCormick Farm, so, hopefully, the Cumberland Valley School District will cease its pursuit of the farm. The district […]

HB 2468 Is on Governor’s Desk

June 25, 2018

Friday evening, after the Senate passed HB 2468 (37-12), the House voted to concur (177-15) with the Senate’s changes to the bill. The governor is expected to sign the bill. This is a thrilling victory for conservation! This landmark, bipartisan legislation provides a crucial safeguard for conservation easements from the unnecessary exercise of eminent domain […]

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