* * *
(14) Prior to entering into any agreement, contract or
lease to recover natural gas from unconventional formations
with unconventional wells on lands underlying State forests
or parks, to hold at least one public hearing in advance of
awarding any agreement, contract or lease. The public hearing
shall be held pursuant to public notice and advertised once a
week for three weeks in at least two newspapers published
nearest the locality indicated. If, after the public hearing
held upon the proposed agreement, contract or lease, the
proposed agreement, contract or lease is substantially
revised, the department shall hold another public hearing
pursuant to public notice, before proceeding to act on the
agreement, contract or lease.
(15) Prior to entering into any agreement, contract or
lease for the recovery of natural gas where the Commonwealth
does not own the natural gas underlying those lands, and
after the public hearing held pursuant to paragraph (14), if
the department finds that because of the land's unique
environmental, natural, historical or cultural features, the
land is especially worthy of permanent preservation to
attempt to acquire ownership of any rights necessary to
permanently preserve the land. In fulfilling the obligations
of this paragraph, the department may use money in the Oil
and Gas Lease Fund to the extent it is available.
(b) Utilization and protection.--The department has the
following powers and duties with respect to the utilization and
protection of State forest lands:
* * *
(11) To lease, with the approval of the Governor, and in
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