The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry has issued the following advisories for state parks and forests in the area:
All parks
Firewood advisory - Invasive beetles found in firewood are threatening forests.
Firewood may contain non-native insects and plant diseases. Bringing firewood into a park from other areas accidentally may spread pest insects and diseases that threaten park resources and the health of forests.
The Asian long horned beetle and emerald ash borer are two insects that can be easily spread in firewood. Although the adult beetle may not be present, the firewood may be infested with the immature stage of these insects.
Movement of any/all firewood from infested and/or quarantine areas is prohibited in accordance with the Pennsylvania Plant Pest Act of 1992.
All regulated firewood will be confiscated and destroyed.
First-time offenders will be issued a warning letter by state Department of Agriculture, with repeat offenders subject to prosecution.
Even if you are not within a quarantine area, using local firewood is best. Do not take wood home with you and do not leave firewood - burn it!
Cherry Springs
The Astronomy Observation Field will not be available for use from midnight Aug. 2 through 6 p.m. Aug. 5 due to the Cherry Springs Woodsmen Show.
Little Pine
While a final construction schedule has not been developed; it is anticipated that the Little Pine shooting range will be closed around mid-June for a rehabilitation project. The archery range will remain open. It is expected that the shooting range will re-open sometime in late spring or early summer 2013.
Loyalsock State Forest
Bodine Mountain Road: Heavy gas activity is expected. Traffic control will be established at Grays Run Road intersection. Expect 10-15 minute delays during periods of heavy truck traffic.
Brown Road: Heavy gas activity is expected. Traffic control will be established at Hagerman Run and Long Run Road intersections. Traffic is one way from Hagerman Run Road to Long Run Road. Outgoing truck traffic may be heavy.
Grays Run Road: Heavy gas activity is expected. Two-way traffic. Drive with caution.
Hagerman Run Road: Heavy gas activity is expected. Hagerman Run Road is one way from Route 14 to Newman Fields and the intersection with Browns Road. Parking on Hagerman Run Road is extremely limited.
Long Run Road: Heavy gas activity is expected. Long Run Road is open to public travel and must be used to exit the area. Traffic is one way from Browns to Grays Run roads. Parking along Long Run is limited.
Loyalsock State Forest has sustained severe damage to its road system due to flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. All roads except Pleasant Stream Road, lower Shanerburg Road and Walker Road now are passable, but visitors must travel with caution. Visitors should contact the Resource Management Center for updates before traveling at 946-4049 or email at fd20@state.pa.us.
Sproul State Forest
Beech Creek and Shoemaker Roads: Increased traffic due to gas development is to be expected.
Ritchie Road: Will be impacted due to a natural gas pipeline under construction from Hyner Mountain Road to Old View Road. Expect heavy truck traffic.
Pats Ridge Road: Will have a guard station for natural gas activity just beyond the power line corridor. The last quarter mile of this road is closed to public travel.
Benson Road: Will be impacted by the construction of a new entrance from Route 44. Expect heavy gas truck traffic.
Dry Run Road: Will be impacted by gas development. Expect heavy truck traffic.
Carrier Road: Will be impacted by gas development from Haneyville to Ponderosa. Expect heavy gas truck traffic.
Route 144: From State Game Lands 100 to Allen Dam Road heavy gas truck traffic should be expected.
Susquehannock State Forest
Card Creek Road: Open to public travel but be aware of ongoing natural gas activity. Expect heavy trucks and other gas-related traffic. Several pulloffs have been installed along the road to aid in passing oncoming vehicles.
Big Fill Haul Road: This gated road is being impacted by natural gas activity. The road still can be used for walk-in access for hunters and other recreational users as it has traditionally. Parking is available in the area between Route 6 and the gate. Be alert for heavy truck and other gas-related traffic.
Tiadaghton State Forest
The following roads are affected by expected heavy gas traffic; drive with caution: Narrow Gauge, Francis Camp, Lebo Vista, Browns Run, Sinking Springs, Bull Run, Big Springs, Limbaugh, Parker, Ramsey and Okome.
Armstrong Road on Bald Eagle Mountain east of South Williamsport and Route 15 has been closed due to storm damage that has rendered the roadway impassable.
Tioga State Forest
Visitors should use caution when using the Old Arnot Drivable Trail Road (also known as the Walnut Street Extension), which is north of Arnot (Bloss Township), due to heavy truck traffic associated with natural gas development. Users should expect a traffic control point stop and controlled one-way traffic flow with short-time delays.
Armenia Mountain area drivers should use caution on River Road, Fellows Creek Road, Hemlock Road and Ridge Road due to heavy truck traffic associated with natural gas development.
