SMETHPORT — The McKean County Conservation District’s Commissioner director Cliff Lane and Manager Sandy Thompson marked Conservation District Week by visiting the Capitol to personally thank members of the state House and Senate as well as the governor for supporting districts by providing funds to preserve and protect natural resources.
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is requesting a 10 percent increase to the Conservation District Fund, which has not seen an increase since the 2004-05 fiscal year.
“Conservation districts have enjoyed partnering with state agencies in the past and are looking forward to working with them efficiently and cost effectively in the future,” said Lane, who is also PACD’s northwest regional director.
PACD continues to support the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF) to finance the Growing Greener program in assisting McKean County and local communities across the state with natural resource projects.
Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget takes money from the ESF to offset state agency administrative costs. Philosophically, PACD opposes using ESF to fund state agency administrative costs. PACD also opposes Wolf’s recommendation to transfer the Conservation District Fund to the ESF.
Lane said the visit was also an opportunity to further discuss permitting at the local level and expressing PACD’s opposition to Third Party Reviewer Legislation.
“Conservation districts are concerned that allowing for these private reviews will hinder the permit review process and result in permit approval delays with the potential for approved permits not meeting state standards,” said Brenda Shambaugh, executive director of PACD.
Lane and Thompson also thanked legislators for their support of Pennsylvania’s Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program which is meant to create a better public road system with a reduced environmental impact, utilizing site specific, long-term solutions to prevent erosion pollution.
The McKean County Conservation District receives approximately $345,000 annually to implement dirt, gravel and low volume road projects.
