Adopted:
January 23, 2002

Expansion of Quality Aggregates, Inc. limestone quarrying operation - Public testifiers expressed concern over the proposed expansion of an existing limestone quarrying operation on an adjacent property to McConnell's Mill State Park.

Sechan Company residual waste landfill permit - Testifiers conveyed fears that an adjacent landowner to McConnell's Mill State Park would submit a permit application, and receive approval, for a residual waste landfill on a 91-acre site that straddles the Butler-Lawrence County boundary line.

Crossing of McConnell's Mill State Park by Independence Pipeline -A $670 million pipeline from Ohio to Pennsylvania is being proposed to cut through portions of Butler and Lawrence Counties, including portions of both McConnell's Mill and Moraine State Parks. Testifiers described their concerns regarding the construction and maintenance of this pipeline and its impacts on these two state parks.

Public information regarding environmental impacts of projects - Testimony was heard explaining the need to reach the general public with environmental messages, not just related to those concerns expressed earlier, but about any issues involving our resources.

The reopening of Eckert and Breakneck Bridges - Testifiers explained that these two bridges, presently owned by the state, are closed to vehicular traffic but may be reopened if turned back to the townships. They described the recreational and environmental aspects of the Slippery Rock Gorge that could be impacted by their reopening.

The location of telecommunication towers on state park lands - One testifier expressed concern about the location of telecommunications towers, in general, in state parks because of their possible impacts on the resource.

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INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council was created in 1995 by the same legislation used to create the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. CNRAC is mandated to review all conservation and natural resource laws of the Commonwealth and make appropriate suggestions for their revision, modification and codification; consider, study and review the work of the Department; and make recommendations for the improvement of the work of the Department. CNRAC reports its recommendations to DCNR, the Governor, the General Assembly, and the public.

CNRAC holds annual regional meetings and field trips in different areas of the Commonwealth to give citizens an opportunity to comment about the many programs administered by DCNR. CNRAC’s aim is to listen and learn from local citizens about DCNR’s programs in their region and how those programs are affecting their lives. The purpose in preparing this report is to bring attention to those comments and concerns brought forth to CNRAC and present these concerns to the Department in a manner in which they may be addressed and resolved.

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WEST CENTRAL REGIONAL FIELD TRIP

CNRAC viewed and participated in discussions at the following sites as part of their tour.

Jennings Environmental Education Center
Nature Center - The Center provides environmental education and interpretive programs covering a variety of ecological and environmental topics to the public free of charge. School group programming, teacher training, and displays and exhibits are all provided within the Center itself and on its grounds by Center staff.

Wetland Treatment System - The Council toured facilities at the Cruz Recreation Center, the Hancock Research regarding the treatment of an abandoned coal mining operation through the use of a passive, wetland treatment system is carried out on Center grounds. CNRAC received a tour of the facilities and heard the history of the project.

Relict Prairie - A small, relict prairie in the midst of the eastern deciduous forest is situated here. This ecosystem, unique for Pennsylvania, was created through a series of glacial events that provides the habitat for many relict prairie flowers.

McConnell's Mill State Park
The Old Mill - Built by Daniel Kennedy, his first gristmill on Slippery Rock Creek was destroyed by fire. In 1868 he rebuilt the mill and sold it to Thomas McConnell in 1875. Mr. McConnell replaced the waterwheel with water turbines and the grinding stones with rolling mills to become one of the first rolling mills in the country. This mill remains preserved and serves as the cornerstone for McConnell's Mill State Park, formally dedicated as a state park in 1957.

McConnell's Mill Covered Bridge - One of two covered bridges in Lawrence County, it was built in 1874 and crosses Slippery Rock Creek. The bridge is on park land but remains the property of Lawrence County.

Proposed Landfill Site - Bordering the northeast portion of McConnell's Mill State Park, property owned by Robert C. Sechan, Jr. is being considered to be used as a residual waste landfill. The site is a former limestone strip mine area. The proposed facility would receive residual wastes, which are certain types of non-hazardous waste generated by industrial or commercial operations.

Limestone Quarrying Operation - An ongoing limestone quarrying operation, Council toured this operation as concerns have been raised about its impact on the adjacent lands of McConnell's Mill State Park. Leased by Quality Aggregates Inc., this land borders the northwest portion of the park on land surrounded by Mt. Hope Furnace, Wilson and Rim Roads.

North County National Scenic Trail (proposed) - Located near the southwestern corner of the park, the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail travels along Hell Run, which ultimately feeds Slippery Rock Creek. Council heard a presentation at the beginning of this trail of the vision to incorporate Slippery Rock Gorge Trail as a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Moraine State Park
Park Region 2 Office - The Bureau of State Park's Region 2 office is located on park grounds near the southern end of the park. Council toured the facility and received an overview of regional office operations.

Osprey Hacking Tower - Through volunteer efforts osprey have been reintroduced to this area. This effort began in 1993 and has been largely successful.

Sewage Treatment Facility - Undersized sewage treatment facilities receiving large sewage inflows and infiltration, predominantly from the Prospect Borough area, have resulted in localized sewage overflows into Moraine State Park's Lake Arthur during major storm events. This treatment facility is located in the extreme southern portion of the Park.

Oil Pump House - Built at the turn of the 20th century, this pump house and equipment remain on site and serves as a center for historical discussion relating to the oil industry in the area.

Nautical Nature - Owned and operated by the Moraine Preservation Fund, this pontoon boat provided a tour of Lake Arthur.

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CITIZEN INPUT

CNRAC solicited public comments regarding DCNR’s programs and how they affected the residents of this region. Council allowed testifiers to focus their comments on any program administered by the Department. Issues specifically mentioned in testimony are discussed in this section.

A)      Limestone Quarrying adjacent to McConnell's Mill State Park

This existing limestone quarrying operation by Quality Aggregates, Inc. is generating concern among local residents and users of the Park. The primary concern is the closeness of the operation to the Park's amenities and the impact that the operation may have on them. PA DEP regulations presently require a 300-foot buffer from the existing property line for a quarrying operation. Those testifiers expressing concern about this operation and its impacts on McConnell's Mill State Park were Bergey, Aspinall, Spink, Stein, Beck, Labi Carando, and Wentzel.

B)      Proposed Residual Waste Landfill adjacent to McConnell's Mill State Park

Plans have been submitted by Sechan Limestone Industries to various state and local agencies to establish a residual waste landfill immediately adjacent on the east side to McConnell's Mill State Park. This landfill, that would lie in both Lawrence and Butler Counties, is designed to accept non-hazardous waste (although the waste can contain permissible limits of hazardous substances) produced by industrial, mining and agricultural operations. Opponents are concerned about the possible damaging impact the landfill could have on the area. Testifiers Bergey, Aspinall, Spink, Stein, Beck, Schmidt, Labi Carando and Wentzel expressed their concerns about this permit application.

C)      Natural Gas Pipeline proposed to intersect Moraine and McConnell's Mill State Parks

The proposed construction of the Independence Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline to be built from Defiance, Ohio to Leidy, Pennsylvania, would pass through portions of both Moraine and McConnell's Mill State Parks. Approval of the pipeline ultimately rests with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and others have concerns over impacts caused and construction and maintenance of this pipeline. Those expressing concern over this proposal were Beachem, Bergey, Spink, Stein, Beck, Labi Carando and Wentzel.

D)      Reopening of Eckert and Breakneck Bridges in McConnell's Mill State Park

Presently, Eckert and Breakneck Bridges in McConnell's Mill State Park are closed to vehicular traffic. These bridges are owned and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). As the condition of the bridges deteriorates PennDOT is looking for other entities to assume responsibility and ownership of them. Some park patrons are concerned that if this transfer would take place with Lawrence County that the county would want to reopen the bridges to vehicles. Upgrade and maintenance of these bridges may have negative impacts on the ecosystem in which they are situated. Merlino and Keane expressed concern over the reopening of these bridges.

E)      The Location of Telecommunication Towers in State Parks

Telecommunications have been appearing more frequently on the horizon and now questions have been raised as to whether telecommunications towers will be allowed to be situated within state park boundaries. Concerns over visual impacts on the parks will be realized. Mr. Schmidt conveyed this concern in his testimony.

F)      Availability of Environmental Education

Mr. McDonald made a general comment about the lack of readily available environmental education. Citizens wanting to learn more about appropriate environmental activities and protection need to know where to access it.

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OTHER IDENTIFIED ISSUES

As part of its field tour, Council also identified another series of issues affecting state parks and forests that required attention, some specific to the parks visited, and some more general to state parks and forests in Pennsylvania. Those issues were:

North Shore Access to Moraine State Park - Due to the present arrangement of access points, patrons wishing to visit the north shore of Moraine State Park must travel significantly out of their way to get onto and off of major thoroughfares (US Interstate 70 and US Route 422) leading to regions north and west of the park.

State Park and Forest Boundary Identification - Council has heard during other field trips the difficulty in some situations for park managers and district foresters to clearly identify the borders of their lands to be managed. This question was raised again during a discussion about an issue affecting McConnell's Mill State Park.

Funding for Programs - A recurring theme, Council has consistently heard the plea from park patrons that funding for park programs, whether they be for historic, education, recreation, reintroduction of species, or cultural reasons, is always difficult to obtain. These issues were raised once again in various contexts on this field trip.

Wastewater Treatment Plant at Moraine State Park - Through agreement, Moraine State Park maintains a sewage treatment plant that handles waste primarily generated from residents of Prospect Borough. This plant has a history of malfunctions causing sewage overflows into Lake Arthur during major storm events.

Trails in State Parks and Forests - Because of the popularity of trail usage the establishment of trails for many uses in state parks and forests is a constant discussion item. Public interaction about how they are developed, maintained, identified, etc., changes little from region to region. On this field trip Council learned of plans to expand the North Country National Scenic Trail through McConnell's Mill State Park.

Friends Groups' Roles in State Parks and Forests - Park and forest friends and focus groups are being encouraged to be formed by DCNR. These groups need guidance as to how they can best assist the entity they have elected to serve.

Adjacent Landowner Communications - Managers of state-owned lands regularly find themselves in a situation of having to react to threats, real or perceived, from adjacent land uses. A more proactive way of communicating with adjacent landowners may assist in developing a common local or regional vision for planning and development.

Regional Park Planning - Managers and planners for Pennsylvania's state parks play a key role in providing opportunities for recreation and education at a local, regional and state level. DCNR must continue to encourage park staff to expand their planning and vision beyond park boundaries.

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CNRAC REVIEW OF SPECIFIC PARK ISSUES

After reviewing testimony heard during our public meeting on the evening of June 26 and holding discussions with park staff, community representatives, business representatives, and volunteers, we identified six issues specific to McConnell's Mill and Moraine State Parks that we felt deserved additional inquiry and comment. Those issues were:

1. The proposed residual waste landfill adjacent to McConnell's Mill State Park;
2. The proposed expansion of the existing limestone quarrying operation adjacent to McConnell's Mill State Park;
3. The proposed intersection of the Independence Pipeline with McConnell's Mill and Moraine State Parks;
4. North shore access to Moraine State Park;
5. The sewage treatment plant in Moraine State Park serving Prospect Borough; and
6. The possible reopening of bridges to vehicles at McConnell's Mill State Park.