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Don't look like much room for deer or hunters in this Rendell and DCNR wild plan !!! Or am I reading it wrong?? [:@] lost horn

Public Meeting To Discuss ‘Wilds' Packs House
By Kimberley Hoak, Staff Reporter
Over 120 people attended a meeting last Wednesday night at the Coudersport American Legion Post 192 sponsored by the Potter County Visitor's Association, to hear about the “PA Wilds” initiative and its impact on Potter County.

Deputy Director of Tourism, Film and Marketing, J. Mickey Rowley was the keynote speaker. Also speaking were: Mike Krempasky, DCNR Deputy Director of Policy; Tony Lupino, DCNR State Park Regional Manager; Dana Crisp, DCNR Manager of the Outdoor Recreation Team; Chip Harrison, Park Manager Lyman Run State Park Complex; and Lisa Bainey, Park Manager of Sinnemahoning State Park.
David Brooks, Executive Director of PCVA opened the meeting by saying, “I have been told by our visitors from Harrisburg that this is the largest attended meeting of this kind, so far.”

Brooks acknowledged the attendance of the three Potter County Commissioners, Cathy Bowers, John Torok and Ken Wingo; State Representative Martin Causer; and, Debra Ponzer representing U.S. Representative John Peterson.

The meeting was intended to give an explanation of what the Wilds initiative is, and an update on what has been accomplished to date through the program.

The Pennsylvania Wilds initiative was introduced by Governor Ed Rendell in 2003 to “encourage the growth of tourism and related businesses in Northcentral Pennsylvania based on the significant outdoor experiences available on over 2.1 million acres of easily accessible public land in the region. The goal of this effort is to promote and protect the natural resources of the region”

6.5 million acres of land encompass the Wilds region and approximately 80 percent of that land is forestland.

27 state parks totalling 27,600 acres of land are included in the 12 county region.

Recreational assets within the Wilds region include:

€ approximately 1,800 overnight public camping sites;

€ over 1,800 miles of snowmobile trails;

€ over 1,500 miles of hiking trails;

€ 631 miles of cross country skiing trails; and

€ over 792 miles of equestrian trails.

Commissioner Wingo was the first speaker, and he acknowledged that a number of people were present to talk about ATV trails and issues involving reimbursement from the state for timber sales.

Wingo said no one was present from the State Forestry Department to address those issues at this meeting but added, “The County Planner attends regular meetings about this.” Wingo assured the audience that the issues were being discussed.

Mike Krempasky, Deputy Director of Policy for DCNR said the idea for the Wilds initiative “was not hatched in Harrisburg.”

“The suggestions came from the people in North Central Pennsylvania. When the Governor was on his campaign across Route 6, Teri Dennison and some others said, ‘There's a big opportunity here in Northern Pennsylvania,'” said Krempasky.

“They were right. The 12 counties comprising the Wilds have some of the most beautiful country in the state and in this nation,” he said.

Krempasky said in 2004 a Governor's task force was formed to bring the 12 counties' tourist promotion industries together to promote tourism to the area.

“This part of Pennsylvania is a very special place,” Krempasky said.

Krempasky said a Pennsylvania Planning Team is being formed which will be comprised of county planners and local development districts to determine how growth in the area may occur as well as what impact the growth may have on the area.

“There is a collaborative effort being made to pull together and work together to make this initiative work. We are trying to promote the whole range of possibilities - all along the areas of the initiative. We are going to be providing greater access to public lands,” Krempasky said.

Noting that park facilities needed upgrading to accomodate a projected increase in visitors, improvements in restroom facilities at Ole Bull, Denton Hill and Kettle Creek have been completed,

Tony Lapino, who manages all of the State Parks within the Wilds initiative told the audience, “It's a great opportunity to improve our state parks. Our parks in this area were from the CCC era... this is the only area in the state that has received money for the infrastructure of our parks. It is absolutely fantastic.”

In referencing the Lyman Run Dam project Lapino said, “I've been here for 20 years and for us to get $18 million was almost impossible. I am ecstatically excited about it.”

The dam is approximately 67 percent completed at this time, and Lyman Run Lake is targeted for a grand re-opening in the spring of 2007, said park manager Chip Harrison.

Harrison also noted that “Cherry Springs has really grabbed national attention. Even National Geographic has recognized the Dark Skies at Cherry Springs.”

He said a $2.1 million visitor center and observation domes are on the horizon for Cherry Springs. Remote control domes may be installed that can be accessed by universities or amateur astronomers from their home computers.

Harrison said it is his hope to develope other activities at Cherry Springs, not just astronomy.

“We are going to be developing a new snowmobile trail head - and next year everyone will have access to a heated restroom,” he said.

Harrison said he expects to have “many new tourists” passing through the new visitors center and planetarium planned for Cherry Springs.

He also said through the Wilds initiative, Denton Hill State Park has replaced their sewage treatment plant.

Mickey Rowley said that Pennsylvania is the sixth largest media spending state in the nation and that the Wilds initiative has been well publicized.

“Extensive promotion has been done advertising the attributes of the Pennsylvania Wilds. A very successful television campaign was done featuring Governor Rendell, and extensive printed material has been distributed.”

Rowley said the cooperation he has received from Potter County has been “terrific.”

“I met David Brooks in 2003 - he is a terrific advocate for Potter County. I have been in Potter County 10 or 12 times for meetings about the Wilds, and your county commissioners have been to all of the meetings.

“My compliments to the county commissioners and to David Brooks,” Rowley said.

During a question and answer period following the meeting, a number of issues not addressed by the speakers were raised by local residents.

Harry Fox, of Odin, said, “What about the millions of dollars of logs that were harvested and sold - millions of dollars go out (of this area) compared to what little bit comes back.”

Fox also said the air strip at Cherry Springs “could been paved and continued to be used as an airstrip.”

Cathy Fox raised the issue of hunting in Potter County, saying it is fast becoming a dying sport and that the deer population has been seriously diminished.

“The state has ruined hunting for Potter County. You have completely failed to address the issue of hunting in your plans,” said Fox.

Krempasky responded to Kathy Fox saying, “We didn't come here tonight to talk about deer management. Hunting has changed over the last 20 - 30 years. If you look at the outdoor recreational activities - hunting is not one of them.”

“Kyaking, hiking, bird watching, etc., are activities that all encompass more than anyone hunting,” said Krempasky.

After hearing the public comments about hunting and the deer herd population, Commissioner Wingo took the podium and said, “Everyone is concerned about what you brought up. I volunteer to get the Game Commission to come up here if we can get a group together like this.”

“I'm a firm believer that we are over-hunting the deer here,” Wingo said.

Carl Kio, of Coudersport, expressing serious concern, questioned drilling procedures in the Allegany National Forest and the impact the drilling may be having on the environment.

“National Forests should be considered national treasures,” said Kio. “It's absolutely disgusting what's going on in the Allegany National Forest - they're ruining it. The sludge is running everywhere from the drilling, even into the road... I can provide pictures.”

Lupino said Kio's concerns were an issue he would like to hear more about and asked Kio to speak with him after the meeting

Members of local snowmobile clubs questioned issues involving finances for rebuilding bridges used by snowmobilers.

In response, Lupino said, “DCNR is committed to snowmobiling as a winter activity. I make the request every year to get the funds to fix the bridges. We intend to keep working on this.”

Rick Jones, of Genesee, said “Get off the deer hunting thing - hunting is something that is dying out. I've had an idea for a few years that could help the bed and breakfasts, the campgrounds, and the economy.”

Jones said promoting a “wildflower week-end” concept was something for the Wilds committee to consider.

“One of the things this county has is wildflowers, from May to November,” said Jones.

“You could also promote birdwatching, photography, and long-range shooting,” said Jones.

At the end of the meeting, Marty Causer said, “We support tourism - but don't forget about the people who live here; 48 percent of the county is owned by the Commonwealth. Millions of dollars are going out of this county each year in timber sales. Local people pay more than their share”

Causer said he is “very opposed” to Pennsylvania's current rate of in-lieu-of-tax payents and the rates for enrollment in “clean and green.”

Causer has introduced legislation in the Pennsylvania House to raise the in-lieu-of-tax payments to counties.

“I will keep working until we get that passed,” he told the group.

In closing, Causer told the group representing the Wilds initiative that he supported their efforts their work to bring more tourism to the area.

“Just don't forget the people who live here,” he said.