University Park, Pa. — Penn State officials were disappointed to learn today (Sept. 22) that the sale of more than 1,100 acres of state land to the University will be tabled during the current legislative session. University officials say they plan to continue to work in good faith to complete a master plan for the property and to acquire the acreage for educational and research purposes.
A bill authorizing the land sale was overwhelmingly approved in June by the state House of Representatives and was awaiting action by the state Senate. Sen. Jake Corman, who represents the 34th District where the property is located and is the Senate’s majority policy chairman, said he does not currently have enough information to support the sale. He asked the Senate to delay action on the land transfer until the next legislative session, which will start in January.
“We are committed to moving ahead with our planning. We feel this property offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct critical agricultural research that will address key issues regarding food, fuels, and environmental quality,” said Bruce McPheron, associate dean for research and graduate education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. If the sale is approved, the College of Agricultural Sciences will oversee the management of the property.
“Penn State clearly has the expertise and resources needed to manage this property in a way that benefits all of the Commonwealth. We will just stay the course and continue to work with everyone concerned,” he said.
The University hopes to acquire the land and use it for education, research and extension programs in agricultural, environmental and bioenergy areas. McPheron said Penn State will continue to provide input to a master planning process that is currently under way for the land that borders the Spring Creek Canyon and is owned by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview.
The master planning process involves about 1,800 acres of Rockview land, which encompasses the 1,124 acres that Penn State would like to acquire, as well as parcels that hold interest for Benner Township and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The master planning process is expected to provide a blueprint for the design, use and conservation of the Spring Creek Canyon Park and its surrounding uplands. The master plan also will explore ways to provide public access to the property, while ensuring that the ecological and environmental characteristics of the canyon are protected. Penn State has played an active role in the process since its inception.
“We are committed to the master planning process and to pursuing this with legislators during the next session,” said McPheron. “We firmly believe Penn State is the best steward for this land and we are confident that this belief is shared by many across the Commonwealth. We see this as a small delay for what will be a very large payoff for citizens in terms of the education and research that can be accomplished on this land.”