Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today called on the United States Forest Service to continue seeking solutions to a right-of-way dispute that will leave a 23 mile section of the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop (ASL) off limits when the trails open on December 17. “My constituents have expressed concern that businesses in the affected area which depend upon the patronage of snowmobile enthusiasts will suffer due to this closure,” Senator Casey wrote in a letter to the United States Forest Service. “Due to these potential negative effects, I request that the Forest Service examine other possible route alternatives that might currently exist and continue such alternative-seeking efforts in the future.” In the letter sent today to Allegheny National Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten, Senator Casey thanks the Forest Service for their efforts to resolve the issue, which is expected to keep the section of the ASL, known as the Marshburg trail, closed. Senator Casey noted that the trail c...

The Allegheny National Forest was selected by the Rainbow Family as the location for their 2010 national gathering and, since ince this announcement, the forest has joined forces with a National Incident Management Team (NIMT) to manage the event. The primary concern for the gathering is the health and safety of area residents, forest employees, and Rainbow Family gathering attendees. “This team, working in partnership with the Forest, will help ensure a safe and successful gathering for all parties involved,” stated Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten. “We realize the impacts to the communities and services resulting from a gathering of this size and we will strive for positive outcomes from this event,” added Marten. The Rainbow Family is a loose-knit group of people from diverse backgrounds who gather annually on a national forest for a celebration of peace during the July 4th holiday, when the gathering reaches peak attendance of up to 10,000 people. Following the holiday, the attend...

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today sent a letter to the Allegheny National Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten asking that all meetings on the Transition Environmental Impact Statement (TEIS) be open to the public. The U.S. Forest Service has expressed their willingness to meet and discuss the TEIS with members of the public in private. There are three alternatives being considered by the Forest Service in the scoping process for oil and gas drilling on the Allegheny National Forest. The Forest Service staff announced they would hold individual meetings from Dec. 14th to the 17th for anyone interested in discussing the preliminary alternatives. “Because the ANF plays such a pivotal role in Northwest Pennsylvania, I must ask that the Forest Service not abandon its policy of open, public meetings at this critical juncture and I make this request for several reasons,” wrote Thompson. “The first is that while one-on-one meetings may be effective in com...

The Allegheny National Forest announced today that contrary to misinformation previously reported the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop (ASL) is not being shut down. The ASL is a 159-mile system of snowmobile trails in portions of Warren, Forest, Elk and McKean Counties. Including connector trails and the Rocky Gap and Timberline ATV trails (dual use snowmobile/ATV trails), the entire ASL system covers over 350 miles. Recent media reports had indicated closing the trail may be a consideration. According to Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten that is not the case. Marten states, “We are working with landowners, as we do each year, to ensure continued access across private property. We are also moving forward with a grooming contract as agreed to previously with the local snowmobile clubs. At no time were we discussing or considering closing the ASL.” The ASL could open as early as December 20th if weather conditions are favorable. Snowmobile riders interested in trail conditions can contact either ...

WARREN – The Allegheny National Forest wishes to clarify the current situation at the Birdsall Edey Girl Scout Camp. Forest officials announced that the Camp remains open as they work in cooperation with the Girl Scout Council on concerns regarding the condition of some facilities on site. Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten and Bradford District Ranger Tony Scardina expressed that, “the Council and the Forest Service agreed that we must ensure the health and safety of the caretakers, girl scouts, and boy scouts that utilize the site. As a result, a few buildings of concern on the site will not be used as we work with the Council on how to resolve these issues. Although we do not view many of these problems as imminent or absolute health and safety hazards, the potential health and safety issues were great enough to warrant precautionary measures.” The Forest Service and the Girl Scout Council will meet in the near future to continue working together on these matters.

The US Forest Service has decided to cancel the Willow Creek ATV Trail Expansion Project. The project would have added between 24 and 43 miles of new trail at a cost of about $40,000 per mile. Bradford District Ranger Tony Scardina recommended the cancellation saying, “It is important to focus on the maintenance and improvement of the recreation facilities and trails that we currently have." Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten added that expanding the trail at this time would not be responsible use of public funds.