The Erie Times-News reports that the U.S. Forest Service wants to close nearly a dozen camp sites in the Allegheny National Forest. It would cost about $5 million to repair sewage and water lines at the campgrounds and no money was ever budgeted to fund the maintenance costs.
Because all oil and mineral rights are owned by private parties, oil, gas, and mineral interests have the legal right to excavate and drill, especially in areas that are no longer used by the public. Availability of roads at the targeted camp sites would facilitate their industrial use. According to the Erie-Times, "Jodie Vanselow, a deputy district ranger for the Marienville area of the forest and one of the rangers working on the analysis, said there is a possibility that gas and oil companies could attain a permit for the land."
However, "She said there is no sign it would happen
in the near future," reporter Katie Sullivan said in her article.
Camp sites that may close include the Kiasutha Recreation Area, Kinzua Beach, Sugar Bay Dispersed Area and Tracy Ridge Recreation Area, and Dewdrop, according to the news report.
Read article from the Erie Times-News.
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