PA State Park Closures Possible - Urgent action needed

From a mssg on MTBR and an action request being forwarded around. As part the proposed budget of a (unnamed here to avoid politics) political party are cuts to the DCNR that would require closing of up to 50 PA state parks and forests.

"Story at this link:

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/localnews/ci_12465829

DCNR Press release here:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us:80/news/resource/res2009/09-0520-budget.aspx

Here's where you can find out who your rep and senator are.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/


Nutshell: Part of Senate Bill 850 is a proposal to close 35 PA State Parks as part of budget cuts. Also included is the possible closure of roughly 1000 miles of State Forest Roads. As people who recreate outside and often in PA's public lands, please write to your representatives and tell them you oppose this move.

Public lands should remain open and available to the public. Don't let a handful of politicians decide their fate.

Don't sit on the sidelines and think this couldn't possibly happen. If people don't tell the politicians they oppose this, that will be taken as though no one cares. If no one cares, we'll lose access to OUR public lands.

Don't let OUR public lands start to be playgrounds for private companies. What's the best thing to do with a closed state park? Sell it to a private company as a resort. It's been attempted before at Prince Gallitzin SP.

If 1,000 miles of forest roads are closed, who do you think will be the only ones to get in? Logging companies, that's who. F them and the politicians who came up with this idea.

Fight the Man. Send emails. Send it to your clubs.

There's a park on the list near you. I guarantee."