A series of nine meetings will be held by the state Bureau of Forestry to seek public input on changes to its master management plan charting the course of Pennsylvania's state forests for future generations.

"Implementation of our state forest resource management plan in 2003 gave us a solid foundation from which to manage Pennsylvania's 2.1 million acres of state woodlands, but four years brings new threats, challenges and potential," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "Hearing from the public gives us insight into their needs and concerns related to the forest, which allows us to adapt our management strategies."

The meetings will be held during September and early October throughout the state and will include a presentation on issues facing state forest managers followed by a facilitated public discussion.

"Ecosystem management and sustainability remain the mission of the bureau and the backbone of its management philosophy, but there will be increased focus on recreation planning and programming, as well as considering emerging policy issues around wind power, carbon sequestration and other energy-related activities," DiBerardinis said.

Highlights of proposed changes to the state forest resource management plan include:

-- The lifting of a moratorium on shallow-gas drilling; operation would be considered on a limited, case-by-case basis;
-- Increased attention to invasive species, both insects and plants;
-- Pursuit of opportunities for land acquisition; and
-- Designation of more than 13,000 acres as wild and natural areas, which was first proposed in 2003.

Detailed information about the plan can be found on the DCNR Web site at (choose Forestry, then State Forest Resource Management Plan 2007 Update).

Pointing to the recent discovery of the emerald ash borer in western Pennsylvania, the spread of the wooly adelgid and emergence of other serious insect and invasive plant threats, DiBerardinis said forest pest management and ecological efforts will be topics for discussion.

"There is uncertainty about how to monitor and manage these forest health threats, and we will continue our work to educate the public about them as well as to pursue research and long-term solutions to these problems," said DiBerardinis.

The secretary noted that while the first resource management plan almost 50 years ago focused on timber management, the new plan and its recent revisions take an ecosystem approach, with a goal of forest sustainability in order to provide an array of resources, uses, and values for current and future generations. A key component of the plan remains expansion of the state's wild and natural areas by more than 13,000 acres.

"Some things remain unchanged as we update this management plan," said DiBerardinis. "Annual timber harvest goals remain the same, as our production goals remain on target, and the bureau remains committed to providing a state forest that is a more diverse mix of young and old growth to provide a wider range of habitat to benefit wildlife."

The secretary said there are encouraging signs indicating the balance between forest habitat and whitetail deer populations is improving, and in some areas the need for deer fencing to protect young forests is declining.

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