Webinar Today On Forest Land Gas Drilling Issues

A internet-based seminar sponsored by Penn State Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences will examine how Marcellus Shale natural-gas development is affecting forestland in Pennsylvania. The 75-minute webinar will begin at 1 pm today (Thursday, Dec. 15). Presenters will be Ellen Shultzabarger, chief of the Forest Resources Planning Section of the Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Tony Quadro, forester and assistant district manager for the Westmoreland County Conservation District.

They will cover the impacts of gas activity on state forest lands and what steps are being taken to reduce and minimize the effects of energy development on public lands. The session will highlight the policies and management practices being followed to decrease the fragmentation and impact to state forestlands. There will also be discussion of issues related to drilling on private forest land.

To access the webinar, you must have a Penn State User ID. If you do not have a Friends of Penn State account, you will be prompted to register for one when you go to https://breeze.psu.edu/pscems/ before gaining access to the presentation. Those planning to participate are advised to log on early, as the registration process can take several minutes.

(Photo at left by Curt Weinhold, taken at gas well near Conrad in Potter County.)