UNIVERSITY PARK – A recent vote by the state House’s State Government Committee approved a bill that would allow Penn State to purchase 1,124 acres of agricultural and state forest lands bordering the Spring Creek Canyon at the State Correctional Institute at Rockview. The bill will next go to the House for a vote. If approved, it would then go to the Senate.
Although there has been some highly vocal opposition, more than 80 percent of the letters received by the House committee have favored the sale of the land to Penn State, according to published reports. Throughout the debate, Penn State has emphasized that its most important objectives are to be a good steward of the land and to carry out cutting-edge agricultural research that would benefit the entire state.
The proposed legislation to sell the property to Penn State would put stringent environmental protections in place — protections that do not currently exist. Strict conservation easements would be incorporated into the property deed with the land reverting to the Commonwealth should any violations occur.
Additionally, the proposal presents an unprecedented opportunity for the local community to gain recreational access to the land — which is currently prohibited — and to have formal input into the management of what is currently state-controlled land.
All parties agree on the ecological importance of the property, and Penn State and Commonwealth officials believe the University’s expertise in conservation and land management make Penn State an ideal potential steward of this land.
In the course of public debate, much misinformation has been disseminated on the proposal. Following is a Q&A addressing key issues related to the potential sale of this property to Penn State.
Q: Why does the Commonwealth want Penn State to own this land?
A: Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is aware of the extensive expertise Penn State has in the area of conservation, environmental stewardship and protection of natural resources, as well as the University’s longstanding history of assisting the Commonwealth in finding solutions to some of its most pressing problems —including land management. DCNR backs the sale of land to Penn State, acknowledging that Penn State brings much to the table that would benefit the region.
Q: What will Penn State do with the land?
A: Teaching, research and extension programs would all take place on this property, which shares a property line with existing college lands. These lands would create a valuable management model of multiple agricultural and forest land uses coordinated to preserve open land and watersheds in an urbanizing environment — a challenge faced by communities throughout Pennsylvania. Policy makers, environmental advocates and individual land owners would all benefit from the research at this site. Some of the research would involve developing technologies to utilize alternative fuel sources, not only from corn and soybeans but also from wood and other non-food crops, in a manner that is environmentally and economically sustainable under Pennsylvania conditions. With the price of gas reaching all-time highs, it is imperative that Pennsylvania look for renewable sources of energy that can move Pennsylvania toward energy independence and stimulate economic investment in the Commonwealth. Penn State is a leader in the area of bioenergy and is well-positioned to provide this valuable and much-needed research. In addition, the land also would open up for recreational opportunities — including hunting.
Q: How will the land, including the Spring Creek Canyon, be protected?
A: The transfer of land will be conditional upon several legally binding conservation easements that would be monitored by ClearWater Conservancy, the region’s leading conservation organization, and DCNR. Violation of these agreements would result in the land reverting back to the Commonwealth. There also would be a master land management plan that will provide for local public input. Again, if the property is not used in the manner designated it will revert back to the state. Penn State is currently engaged in conversations with the ClearWater Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy around a vision proposed by these groups for the Spring Creek Valley corridor to be a national leader in environmental stewardship and restoration, all under Penn State’s leadership.
Q: How will local interests be protected?
A: The level of local input provided under this scenario is unparalleled. There are no other scenarios for this property that would provide for environmental restrictions managed by a local conservancy or for local public input into a master plan, or for ownership by entities with a vested interest in our local community.
The proposed use of this land for research, education and recreation provides tremendous opportunity to learn more about our environment, conservation and land management on property that currently is not well managed. It also would allow the Commonwealth to gain valuable information in all of these areas, as well as viable energy alternatives.