The bill adds language that would encourage the DCNR to utilize energy resources on state forest and park land. The original bill already gave the DCNR the authority to manage the state forest and park land with broad powers including oil, gas, mining, farming, and forestry. The details are in the DCNR management plans. The DCNR State Forest Resource Management Plan is being updated. In 2003 a moratorium was placed on shallow gas leasing. The new plan proposes lifting the ban but has language describing review on an individual basis for leases. As I understand it oil and deep gas leases were not banned.
So I don't think anything changes one way or the other relating to the legislative bill passing other than the language appears to be intended to sway the DCNR decision on the gas drilling moratorium.
My opinion: I support use of state assets in a smart, thoughtful manor. There are areas that a well (pun intended) managed foresting, mine, or drilling exploration could be done with minimal environmental and recreational impact. There are other areas that have high environmental or recreational value and should not be touched. I want the technical experts to make the call. Their management plan should be public (such as the plan they currently have on their WEB site.) and open to public input (which is). After the plan is put in place we can hold the department accountable to the plan or require a plan change if things aren’t working. Well run businesses do it all the time.
Most drilling is in the northwest portion of the state. I don’t get up there much so I’ll leave it to others to comment on drilling impacts on state forest land. It doesn’t appear to me there is going to be a rush of new drilling rigs slicing up the PA forests.