PA's Appalachian Trail in danger of development..

[fencesitter]

Over the last five days, more than 1,200 PennEnvironment activists like you have sent an e-mail to their state senators asking them to take immediate steps to protect Pennsylvania's portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Maybe no example shows the threats facing the Trail than the scenario near Smith Gap in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Starting in 2003, a developer began pushing to build a $25 million auto racetrack and road course called Alpine Rose which is adjacent to the Appalachian Trail in this rural area of Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Because Smith Gap Township didn't have appropriate zoning to preserve its portion of the Appalachian Trail, it became nearly impossible to stop the construction of this invasive development project.


Help us protect this treasured piece of our natural heritage by sending an e-mail to your state senator today.


Pennsylvania's segment of the Appalachian Trail is one of the most iconic and important parts of Pennsylvania's natural heritage. It runs through the state for 229 miles, from the Delaware Water Gap in northeastern Pennsylvania, following along the eastern rim of the Alleghenies before crossing the Cumberland Valley near Harrisburg and running into Maryland along the Susquehanna River. HB1281 requires that those municipalities through which the trail runs adopt and implement zoning and land development ordinances in harmony with protecting the Appalachian Trail.


Yet Pennsylvania's portion of the Trail is increasingly threatened by encroaching overdevelopment. That's why PennEnvironment is advocating the passage of HB12811, which will protect our state's portion of the Appalachian Trail.

So help us protect the Trail today. Join hundreds of other concerned PennEnvironment activists to protect the Appalachian Trail-- for now and for future generations of Pennsylvanians. Click here to take action today:

http://pennenvironment.org/action/our-natural-heritage/ATemail?id4=ES


Then take a moment to forward this e-mail alert to your friends and family. We know people all across Pennsylvania care about the future of the Appalachian Trail, and our State Senators need to hear from as many of them as possible to make sure that the Trail is protected for generations to come.

And thank you for standing up for Pennsylvania's environment.


Sincerely,

David Masur
PennEnvironment Director
[e-mail]
http://www.pennenvironment.org

1. To read the text of HB1281, follow this link: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2007&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1281&pn=3175

[JPZenger]

1. Only 200 feet on either side is protected in some places

In some places in PA, only 200 feet on either side of the AT is protected from development and clearcutting.