CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Recreation & Tourism Authority has expressed written interest in having the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) take over a natural area in Gulich Township known as Camp Wopsononock, according to Commissioner Mark B. McCracken.
He said the DCNR had previously requested written interest regarding the county’s willingness to convey Camp Wopsononock over to the DCNR. However, he said Solicitor Kim Kesner researched the natural area and determined it wasn’t the county’s prerogative and instead that of the CCRTA.
Since then McCracken said the CCRTA has responded to the DCNR, stating its willingness to convey Camp Wopsononock over to the DCNR. He said the Houtzdale Recreation Authority has also expressed interest in Camp Wopsononock and he’s directed them to contact the DCNR.
The Houtzdale Recreation Authority has reactivated and is involved “a good bit” in the Moshannon Valley area, he said. McCracken said if the DCNR takes over Camp Wopsononock, it would become a part of the Moshannon State Forest. He said it would be a DCNR decision so far as any action to engage the Houtzdale Recreation Authority with the management of Camp Wopsononock.
“The key to the kingdom belongs to the DCNR,” said Kesner. McCracken also publicly clarified that the Beccaria, Coalport, Irvona Municipal Authority manages the water supply at Camp Wopsononock. He said the rest of the natural area must comply with strict guidelines found within a DCNR Recreational Improvement and Rehabilitation Act (RIRA) grant and isn’t being split into parcels for sale.