Two local Republican state lawmakers support legislation which
calls for closing 35 state parks in Pennsylvania.

Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, was one of the supporters of
Senate Bill 850, while Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, told The
Era on Thursday he commends the Senate for passing it.

“The governor is using both state employees and the state parks
as pawns. He wants people to get upset, to get them to call their
legislators,” said Causer.

The lawmaker continued to say he doesn’t want the parks closed
but that something has to be cut or taxes will be raised.

“We have a ,3 billion deficit. It will take tough choices and a
lot of negotiation, it’s a process,” said Causer.

Under this bill, an additional ,19 million would be cut from the
state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources budget
beyond the reductions Gov. Ed Rendell proposed in February.

If enacted, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Acting Secretary John Quigley said the Senate proposal will force
the agency to close at least 35 state parks and 1,000 miles of
state forest road, which would sharply reduce access for anglers,
hunters and hikers.

Pennsylvania has 117 state parks and 2.1 million acres of state
forests, including 3,000 miles of road that provides access to the
forests. Combined, McKean, Potter, Elk and Cameron counties have 16
state parks. It was not clear as of late Thursday night which of
those local state parks could be on the chopping block, if any.

The agency states other areas would be affected by this cut.
Efforts to preserve natural resources and fewer dollars being spent
in the rural communities with businesses and jobs that count on
parks and forests would be affected.

Additionally, about 40,000 acres of forest would be vulnerable
to gypsy moths because the department would not be able to apply
treatments, while a program that offers one million tree seedlings
for purchase by landowners would be eliminated. The seedling
program helps protect watersheds, control soil erosion, reclaim
former mining areas, and provide food and cover to wildlife.

“Families that cannot afford to take a vacation because of the
tough economic times could always count on enjoying a little rest
and relaxation at a nearby state park or forest,” said Quigley.
“However, if the Senate’s budget proposal is enacted, there would
be even fewer of those opportunities as we would have to close a
number of state parks. That means less traffic and fewer dollars
being spent in the rural communities with businesses and jobs that
count on these parks and forests.”

In addition, DCNR may need to remove state forest rangers who
serve as the primary contact for visitors and promote safety and
enforce the law on forestlands, according to a press release for
the agency.

Quigley also noted that the Senate’s plan does not restore
funding for the department’s heritage tourism grants, despite
repeated criticisms by the caucus when Governor Rendell made the
difficult decision to cut the program.

Causer stated this is not a done deal. The final budget is not
due until June 30.

“This is just the first step in the process,” Causer said, “it
must be fair and equitable.”