Ask friends to protect our state forests

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Ask friends to protect our state forests

State officials are considering allowing new oil and gas drilling in our state forests. Oil derricks and natural gas platforms in the middle of the Poconos or the Alleghenies would ruin these areas.

You already told state officials to leave these areas permanently protected, but they need to hear from more people. Let your friends and family know how they can help protect our natural heritage.

Our Natural Heritage

Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests serve as habitat for endangered species, protect water supplies and provide recreational opportunities. We work to ensure these iconic treasures will survive. More >>

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Message Hi, Is anywhere in Pennsylvania safe from oil and gas drilling? These days it sure doesn't seem like it. Oil and gas companies have asked to drill on more than two million acres of state forestland; concerned citizens in Allegheny and Bucks County are fighting against drilling projects that are literally being proposed in their neighbors' backyards; and now state officials are proposing to lift a ban on oil and gas drilling in our state park and forestlands. Already, Pennsylvania's landscape is scarred with more than 75,000 active oil and gas wells that fragment our forests and pollute the surrounding environment. Where will it end? I've already asked our state environmental officials to say "Enough is enough." Help me protect our natural heritage by asking them not to lift the ban on oil and gas drilling in Pennsylvania's state forests. http://www.pennenvironment.org/action/our-natural-heritage/oil-drilling?id4=ES BACKGROUND: All across Pennsylvania, pristine state forests serve as critical habitat for endangered species, protect clean drinking water supplies for communities downstream, and afford recreational opportunities to millions of the state's-and the nation's-residents. Unfortunately, more and more of our public-owned forests are coming under the attack of oil and gas companies who want to use these public lands for private gains. Consider: . Oil and gas companies have asked to drill on more than two million acres of state forestland; . Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly are introducing legislation that would require state officials to hold auctions and give out leases to drill in state forestlands if there are two or more competing proposals to drill there; . Concerned citizens in Allegheny and Bucks County are fighting against drilling that is literally being proposed in their neighbors' backyards. Under the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, local townships can't pre-empt oil and gas drilling in residential communities; Is anyplace safe from the reach of oil and gas companies in Pennsylvania? To make matters worse, as part of the five-year forest management plan for the state's forests, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is proposing to lift a ban on oil and natural gas drilling in our state forestlands. This could open more than two million acres of state forests to the destructive drilling that razes our wild places and pollutes our environment. Take a minute to write to state environmental officials to say "Enough is enough." Ask them to not to lift the ban on oil and gas drilling in Pennsylvania's state forests. http://www.pennenvironment.org/action/our-natural-heritage/oil-drilling?id4=ES ************************************************************ You've been sent this email by a friend. If you've received this email in error, we apologize. (Feel free to add you own personal comments)