University Park, Pa. -- As state lawmakers consider legislation to sell land currently managed by the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, the dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is speaking out to clarify what he believes are misconceptions about the vision behind the University's proposed ownership of part of the tract.
"We want to be sure that people's opinions -- and the outcome of the legislative process -- are based on a true picture of Penn State's plans for managing the land in a sustainable, environmentally responsible and scientifically sound way," said Bruce McPheron, who became dean of the college on July 1.
The State Government Committee of the House of Representatives is considering two bills that would authorize the transfer of about 1,800 acres of Rockview land, about 1,100 acres of which Penn State seeks to purchase for use by its College of Agricultural Sciences. Both bills would convey about 400 acres surrounding Spring Creek Canyon to Benner Township, and the state Fish and Boat Commission would receive land it currently leases.
The University supports the bill introduced by Rep. Mike Hanna, which would transfer the 1,100-acre parcel to Penn State. The measure would require that the land be managed in accordance with an already-completed master plan that was developed after extensive public and stakeholder input. Under the Hanna bill, Clearwater Conservancy and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would hold a conservation easement that would protect the land from future development.
McPheron said competing legislation sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff that would transfer the 1,100 acres to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and authorize its lease to Penn State for 35 years has not been vetted by the public nor does it require a comprehensive management plan or conservation easement. "In addition, this short-term lease would not give the college the flexibility to conduct long-term research or initiate enhancements, such as forest restoration projects, that could take decades to complete," he noted.
The land in question, which -- like much of Pennsylvania -- is currently a mixture of forests, open fields and crop land, represents a unique opportunity for the College to invest in innovative educational and research programs that will benefit the entire state, according to McPheron.
"For instance, planning and implementing reforestation projects -- beginning with the most critical areas where fragmented patches should be connected to protect key interior forest habitats and sensitive ecological areas -- will provide exceptional insight into forest-management decisions," he said. "Portions of the property now in agricultural production would provide an excellent land base for studies on sustainable biomass production in support of a biofuels industry that is compatible with the climate and land resources of Pennsylvania.
"The Rockview property also offers an ideal opportunity to expand research to help Pennsylvania's organic producers, whose products are increasingly in demand by consumers," he added.
McPheron said the parcel would provide an extraordinary venue for student projects in such majors as Environmental Resource Management; Wildlife and Fisheries Science; Forest Science; Community, Environment, and Development; Agroecology; and other disciplines.
In addition to enhancing research and creating new opportunities for students, McPheron emphasized that many public benefits would accrue from Penn State's ownership and management of the tract. "The mix of woodlands and open fields would provide a remarkable living laboratory for public-education programs, just as Penn State provides at Shaver’s Creek and as Centre Region Parks and Recreation provides at Millbrook Marsh, where wetlands are protected through Penn State's conservation easement with Clearwater Conservancy," he said.
He also pointed out that, should the property be conveyed to Penn State, an agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission provides public access to the land for hunting in perpetuity.
McPheron noted that the University is committed to long-term stewardship of the property. "We have an important stake in the preservation of this natural resource in the best possible condition," he said. "Our ownership of adjoining lands and implementation of state-of-the-art environmental and agricultural methods would provide a buffer for the Canyon and would demonstrate how agriculture and environmental conservation can co-exist.
"We must continue to seek ways to provide food, fiber and fuel to our citizens while maintaining our natural resources at the highest quality," McPheron said. "The Rockview property can help us to provide Pennsylvania and U.S agriculture with science-based, sustainable solutions to ensure we can meet this challenge now and in the future."
More information about Penn State's vision for the Rockview property is available at http://agsci.psu.edu/news/spotlight/rockview online.