NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Terry Brady
DCNR Deputy Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

DCNR ANNOUNCES STATE PARK, FOREST IMPROVEMENTS TOTALING $11 MILLION

HARRISBURG (June 24, 2003) — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis today announced the recent awarding of bids for major improvement projects totaling more than $11.1 million at 12 state parks and five state forest districts across the Commonwealth.

“Newcomers and visitors returning this summer to our state parks and forests will see signs of progress all around them—work to renovate park campgrounds, cabins, and launch ramps; revamp water and sewer systems; and provide safer, more easily traveled state forest roads,” Secretary DiBerardinis said.

Worlds End State Park in Sullivan County is scheduled for the most extensive work among state parks targeted for future improvements. Bids totaling more than $2.7 million were awarded for Worlds End work that will include major day-use area improvements and renovation of cabins and other overnight camping areas.

“A new office and visitor center greeted Worlds End visitors last fall,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “Now campers and others can look forward to other upgrades that include all wash-houses equipped with running water and flush toilets.”

Always a popular area with overnight campers, Worlds End State Park is known for its wild, rugged terrain. Besides camping, visitors are attracted to its Loyalsock Trail and Canyon Vista, affording spectacular views of autumn foliage and spring’s blooming mountain laurel.

The second largest park project, for which bids totaling $1.5 million were awarded, is planned at French Creek State Park, Berks County, where some 70 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings and other campground facilities are slated for major upgrades.

“Another project leading the list of recently approved park improvements is one that’s sure to delight the growing number of visitors to R.B. Winter State Park,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “That Union County facility soon will have a new beach house and comfort stations, sanitary sewer installation, and other improvements.”

Total cost of R.B. Winter State park work is $1,378,783.

At least five of Pennsylvania’s 20 state forest districts are slated for improvement work that includes widening roads, bridge replacements, and repairs to a fish passageway on the Susquehanna River’s West Branch.

“Maintenance of our state forest roads is paramount, as we know more motorists each year are taking to these roadways to view mountain laurel blooms in the spring, spectacular foliage in the fall, and wildlife throughout the entire year,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “These projects show DCNR’s continuing commitment to making state forest roads safer and more easily traveled.”

Since July 1995, DCNR has invested more than $350 million in state parks and forests. Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener initiative and the Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund continue to fuel renovations and new construction. For more information on Pennsylvania’s state parks and forestland, visit DCNR’s web site through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us; PA Keyword: “state parks” or “forests.”

# # #

EDITOR’S NOTE: A list of bid awards for the improvement projects follows.

BID AWARDS FOR STATE PARK, FOREST IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Adams County
Michaux State Forest District, Franklin Township, $65,840 to Green Acres Contracting Co. Inc., Scottsdale, for guide rail installation on Birch Run Road over Birch Run and Long Pine Run;

Beaver County
Raccoon Creek State Park, $1,511,263 to Alex E. Paris Contracting Inc., Atlasburg; and $39,000 to R.E. Yates Electric Inc., Aliquippa, for the construction and rehabilitation of park water system;

Berks County
French Creek State Park, $1,076,575 to Bertolet Construction Corp., Wernersville; $292,000 to McClure Co., State College; and $186,735 to Albarell Electric Inc., Bethlehem, for rehabilitation of two Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) campgrounds;

Blair County
Canoe Creek State Park, $72,918 to Southern Contractors, Three Springs, for park building roof replacements;

Butler County
Moraine State Park, $216,744 to Nicassio Corp., Pittsburgh, for rehabilitation of sewage treatment system;

Cambria County
Prince Gallitzin State Park, $54,262 to Straw Construction Co. Inc., Boswell, for culvert replacement; and $178,462 to Quaker Sales Corp., Johnstown, for campground paving;

Centre County
Rothrock State Forest District, Harris Township, $62,429 to Dremel’s Oil, North Bend, for widening of Laurel Run Road;

Clinton County
Sproul State Forest District, Noyes Township, $172,050 to Wen-Brooke Contracting Inc., Three Springs, for bridge replacement on Two Mile Road over Huling Branch; and in Chapman Township, $108,060 to G.S. Edwards Inc., Orangeville, for road rehabilitation, culvert replacement on Right Branch of Hyner Run Road;

Crawford County
Pymatuning State Park, $31,100 to Mechanical Contractors Inc., Pittsburgh; $217,777 to W.G. Tomko Inc., Finleyville; $436,861 to S.E.T. Inc., Poland, Ohio; and $45,409 to Kralj Electric Inc., Meadville, for comfort station installation; and $254,635 to Kirila Contractors Inc., Brookfield, Ohio, for rehabilitation of Jamestown Boat Livery parking lots;

Elk County
Moshannon State Forest District, Jay Township, $376,420 to Francis J. Palo Inc., Clarion, for replacement of Blackwell Road bridge over Laurel Run;

Franklin County
Michaux State Forest District, Greene Township, $16,225 to Wen-Brooke Contracting Inc., Three Springs, for culvert rehabilitation at Ridge Road and Cold Spring Run;

Fulton County
Cowans Gap State Park, $287,524 to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., New Enterprise, for park road paving;

Lycoming County
Tiadaghton State Forest District, South Williamsport Borough, $80,869 to Susquehanna Supply Co., Williamsport, for repairs to fish passageway on West Branch, Susquehanna River;

Mercer County
M.K. Goddard State Park, $49,828 to Central Heating & Plumbing Inc., New Castle; $119,935 to Jeemco Inc., New Wilmington; and $42,017 to K&G Electric, New Castle, for construction, upgrading of comfort stations at launch and dam areas;

Perry County
Little Buffalo State Park, $37, 800 to Bryan Mechanical, Pittsburgh; $725,000 to George S. Hann & Son. Inc., Fort Littleton; $120,851 to Frank’s Electrical Construction Inc., Leck Kill, and $128,653 to Edwin L. Heim Co., Harrisburg, for construction of new park office and visitor center;

Schuylkill County
Tuscarora State Park, $57,691 to Pennsy Supply Inc., Harrisburg, for pavement of boat launch ramp road; $44,690 to Frank’s Electrical Construction Inc., Leck Kill, for new sanitary sewage system and boat launch improvements;

Sullivan County
Worlds End State Park, $268,222 to W.G. Tomko Inc., Finleyville; $155,005 to TRA Electric Inc., Watsontown; $2,145,072 to E. Lee Remley General Contractor Inc., Benton; and $147,717 to K.C. Larson Inc., Williamsport; for major construction and rehabilitation work at camping and cabin areas;

Union County
R.B. Winter State Park, $34,800 to McClure Co., State College; $99,890 to McClure Co., State College; $148,000 to K & N Electric Inc., Sunbury; $474,382 to Avoca Building Co., Montoursville; and $621,661 to T.L. Rowe Associates Inc., Millersburg, for construction of new beach house, comfort stations, and sanitary sewer installation.

###

2003