Hunting
Increase public workshops and instructional classes for these activities and use naturalists, conservation officers, and foresters as instructors.
Foster greater agency cooperation between Game Commission, Fish & Boat Commission, and DEP/DCNR.
Ensure that dedicated funding exists to remedy environmental hazards (Growing Greener).
Give high priority to bringing the white-tailed deer population down to a level that is in balance with the biological carrying capacity of the state’s
ecosystems.
Mountain biking
Curtail this activity until new facilities can be created in special parks, similar to ATV parks.
Permit mountain biking only in designated areas where the resource will not be damaged and users stay on or in designated areas.
More attention must be given to the development of low-impacting mountain biking.
ORV+ATV+4 4 trucks
Provide programs and brochures on trail etiquette. Improve enforcement of regulations regarding these activities.
Permit activities only on private ATV parks. These vehicles have the potential for far greater resource damage than any other recreational
activities. The damage to water and soil erosion is very severe.
Provide license and registration fee funds to private enterprise to create recreational opportunities for ATVs. Keep them out of state forests, game
lands and parks.
Develop a conservation ethic that discourages off road driving.
Public land managers need to develop additional areas for 4-wheel off road activities.
Determine acceptable locations for ATV operation.
Sightseeing auto tours
Forest districts should develop auto tours in conjunction with the parks located within the district in order to inform the public about sound forest
management practices.
Establish a series of public parking lots at scenic overlooks, thus give safe options to leisurely examine and photograph the landscape.
Develop public-private partnerships to provide modern lodging facilities based on strict environmentally correct guidelines.
Determine how the West Branch Susquehanna River Water Trail, and future ‘‘auto tour routes’’ could connect lumber heritage related sites.
Snowmobiling
Major issues for this activity are speeding and DUI. Provide information and education programs, and improved postings of routes for better
safety.
Open existing roads on state and federal lands to motorized recreational use. Work with trails groups to connect roads with trails to develop
integrated system.
Prohibit this activity in fragile ecosystems. Allow the activity only in trails that are properly designed and maintained to avoid environmental
damage.
Wildlife/bird watching
Wildlife watching is under-valued by the tourism industry. Enhance development of and marketing for these activities.
Partner with National and State Audubon Societies to meet demand for this activity.
Develop more brochures, audiotapes, and wayside exhibits on wildlife watching.
Develop gift shops at regionally renowned sites for the sale of nature-oriented items.
Identify existing viewing sites and assess potential impact.
Improve cooperation among land management agencies on wildlife watching.
Create an integrated wildlife watching program among NBT-related tourism agencies in the Commonwealth.
Maintain and promote large intact forest systems for bird watching and promote neo tropical migrants, which brings tourists’ money to PA.
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