Our Natural Heritage In the News
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New Laws Protect Open Spaces from Developers
- Philadelphia Bulletin
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7/18/2008 |
| Municipal officials and environmentalists are lauding two bills recently signed by Gov. Ed Rendell, D, to protect local open space zones against procedural challenges by developers. The new laws, sponsored by state Rep. David Kessler, D-130th, of Berks County, safeguard land preservation ordinances that have been in effect for over two years. | |
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Bill buys municipalities time
- Bucks County Courier Times
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12/15/2007 |
| A bill inspired by Bedminster Township’s zoning battles with developers passed the state House of Representatives this week. The measure would give municipalities up to eight months to correct sections of their zoning ordinances struck down by the courts. Plans for development would be put on hold during that period. | |
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Proponents say open space benefits all
- Bucks County Courier Times
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10/31/2007 |
| In the 10 years since voters overwhelmingly approved a plan to spend $59 million on open space, roughly half of the effort's funding has been spent in sparsely populated Upper Bucks County... Next week, voters will go to the polls to decide the fate of another countywide open space referendum, this time an $87 million proposal to preserve another estimated 15,000 acres. | |
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Pa. could allow new drilling in state forests
- Washington Observer-Reporter
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10/20/2007 |
| HARRISBURG - The state is considering lifting a ban on drilling new shallow gas wells in state forests, just five years after the restrictions were imposed in response to concerns that roads and pipelines were destroying wildlife habitat. | |
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Land planning is balancing act
- The Intelligencer
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10/08/2007 |
| Curbing suburban sprawl is not easy for municipal governments, who are bound by that state's laws to make room for all land uses within their boundaries. | |
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State law designed to ensure protection of Appalachian Trail
- Reading Eagle
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06/14/2008 |
| Pennsylvania's portion of the Appalachian Trail will be even more protected from encroaching development with the adoption of a state law aimed at preserving the rugged nature of the famed footpath. | |
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Senate OKs bill to preserve land near Appalachian Trail
- Philadelphia Inquirer
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05/15/2008 |
| The Pennsylvania Senate today voted 48-2 to approve legislation that would require towns along the Appalachian Trail to enact zoning that would "conserve and maintain" abutting land. | |
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Protect the trail: Zoning too often takes a hike at nature's expense
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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03/08/2008 |
| It twists and turns over hill and valley for 2,175 miles from Maine to Georgia. It is an epic footpath, a highway of hiking. It is the delight of many pilgrims -- from Boy Scouts to elderly adventurers who walk to find natural beauty and tranquility. Its official name is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, but it's more commonly called the Appalachian Trail or, simply, the AT. | |
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Appalachian Trail still needs protection
- Allentown Morning Call
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03/04/2008 |
| Each year, thousands of people come to Pennsylvania to hike the scenic and historic Appalachian Trail. As was the intent of its founder, Benton MacKaye, most use the trail to escape from life in a busy city or suburb and relax in nature -- trees, plants, wildlife and clean vistas. In some areas of the trail in this state, however, these views are being threatened. | |
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Our view: Appalachian Trail bill gives options to planners
- The Chambersburg Public Opinion
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03/02/2008 |
| The Appalachian Trail runs for 229 miles through Pennsylvania. In some spots throughout the state, residential and commercial development pushes against the trail's viewscapes, a common lament among trail enthusiasts. The trail itself is part of the National Park Service, and already protected by state and federal statute. But those protections end at the trail's borders, which noise and light pollution tend to disregard. | |
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Help protect historic Appalachian Trail from development blight
- Pocono Record
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02/29/2008 |
| The Appalachian Trail is an important part of our heritage, showcasing spectacular scenery, history and culture from Georgia through Maine. Keeping it that way, though, takes conscious effort. The Pennsylvania Senate should pass H.B. 1281, which will take essential steps to protect the Keystone State's segment of the trail from encroaching development. | |
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Drillers Eye Huge Appalachian Gas Field
- Philadelphia Inquirer
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02/03/2008 |
| More than a mile beneath an area of Appalachia covering parts of four states lies a mostly untapped reservoir of natural gas that could swell U.S. reserves. Geologists and energy companies have known for decades about the gas in the Marcellus Shale, but only recently have figured out a possible , though expensive , way to extract it from the thick black rock about 6,000 feet underground. | |
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