Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
(a) Recommendations for designation, or removal from designation, of areas as Natural Areas or Wild Areas should be submitted to the State Forester accompanied by a map and a complete description of the character of the recommended area. Recommendations for areas to be removed from designation should be accompanied by a statement explaining that the criteria originally meriting designation no longer exist, or other substantial justification for removal.(b) The State Forester, upon receipt of a recommendation proposing an area for designation, will review the proposal and determine whether the area meets the criteria for Natural Area or Wild Area designation as approved by the Department. Recommendations for areas proposed for removal from designation shall be reviewed to determine the appropriateness and impact of the removal.(c) Upon a determination by the State Forester that areas proposed for designation meet the criteria for Natural Areas or Wild Areas respectively, the State Forester shall recommend designation of the proposed areas to the Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry and the Secretary.(d) A notice of areas proposed for designation as Natural Areas or Wild Areas will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This notice will include the name of the area proposed for designation, number of acres, State forest, location and features qualifying the area for designation. There will be a public comment period of at least 30 days. If significant public concerns are raised during the comment period, the Secretary may schedule one or more public meetings. Following the public comment period and public meetings, the Secretary may direct that the proposed areas be designated as Natural Areas or Wild Areas. The Secretary's decision will be final and the designation will be effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.(e) A notice of areas proposed for removal from designation as Natural Areas or Wild Areas will also be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This notice will include the name of the area proposed for removal, number of acres, State forest, location and justification for removal from designation. There will be a public comment period of at least 30 days. If requested in writing during the public comment period, the Department may schedule a public meeting. If no significant objection to the removal is made either during the public comment period or at the public meeting, the Secretary may direct that the proposed areas be removed from designation as Natural Areas or Wild Areas. The Secretary's decision will be final and the removal will be effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.The provisions of this §27.5 adopted December 4, 1992, effective 12/5/1992, 22 Pa.B. 5784. This section cited in 17 Pa. Code § 27.1 (relating to background).