There are hundreds of miles of gas and water lines being carved as permanent destruction to our forests across the state. They are everywhere. With a 30 percent reduction in drilling in our area next year, it will give UGI Corp. and others time to construct a gas pipeline to markets south toward Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as well as the MARC and the latest a gas pipeline expansion to its Lycoming County pipeline to bring the bountiful gas production to the northeast and New England, where heating oil is used extensively. Are our governments aware that heating oil is also used extensively in the state of Pennsylvania? The abuse and destruction which our forests and streams are receiving is the price we are paying, so the gas companies can extract and deliver gas to neighboring states as well as to foreign countries.
Why doesn't the state have a Forestry Commission to control the amount of devastation being done to our woodlands? For every mile of pipeline laid for gas or water through our forests, there are hundreds of acres of timber and habitat being destroyed, most of it permanently. It's time to shed some light on something that has been hidden from the general public for too long. We own our State Forest Land but yet have no say in protecting or controlling its destiny. With all the agencies that serve as arms to our state government, is there not one that harbors statistics concerning the welfare of state forests? The state has overstepped its boundary by allowing Penns Woods to be desecrated.
Weldon C. Cohick Jr.
Linden
