PRINTER'S NO. 669
No. 49 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY ZUG, HALUSKA, LEVDANSKY, LYNCH, RUBLEY AND
STABACK, FEBRUARY 12, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, FEBRUARY 12, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Providing for the establishment of a task force to evaluate and
2 make recommendations regarding the utilization of certain
3 Commonwealth-owned lands.
4 WHEREAS, There are approximately 2.1 million acres of forest
5 land owned by the Commonwealth; and
6 WHEREAS, State forest lands are managed by the Department of
7 Conservation and Natural Resources, which seeks to ensure the
8 long-term health, viability and productivity of the
9 Commonwealth's forests, conserve native wild plants and provide
10 for recreational opportunities; and
11 WHEREAS, There are 116 State parks covering roughly 283,000
12 acres; and
13 WHEREAS, State park lands are managed by the Department of
14 Conservation and Natural Resources, which seeks to provide
15 opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation as well
16 as outdoor classrooms for environmental education; and
17 WHEREAS, There has been an increase in the purchase of
18 private lands by the Commonwealth for use as State forest lands
1 and State park lands; and
2 WHEREAS, Questions have arisen concerning the management of
3 these lands and the benefit of the current management plans to
4 the citizens of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives create a task
6 force to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the
7 utilization of these Commonwealth-owned lands; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the task force consist of seven members, four
9 from the majority party and three from the minority party; and
10 be it further
11 RESOLVED, That two of the four members from the majority
12 party be appointed from the Appropriations Committee by the
13 chairman of that committee; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, That one of the three members from the minority
15 party be appointed from the Appropriations Committee by the
16 minority chairman of that committee; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That two of the four members from the majority
18 party be appointed from the Environmental Resources and Energy
19 Committee by the chairman of that committee; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That one of the three members from the minority
21 party be appointed from the Environmental Resources and Energy
22 Committee by the minority chairman of that committee; and be it
23 further
24 RESOLVED, That one of the three members from the minority
25 party be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of
26 Representatives; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
28 appoint the chairperson of the task force from among its
29 members; and be it further
30 RESOLVED, That the Minority Leader of the House of
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1 Representatives appoint the minority chairperson of the task
2 force from among its members; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the task force may hold hearings, take
4 testimony and make its investigations at such places as it deems
5 necessary in this Commonwealth and that each member of the task
6 force shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations
7 to witnesses appearing before the task force; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of
9 Representatives be authorized to pay for all necessary,
10 appropriate and proper expenses incurred by the task force.
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