Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Tours Promised Land State Park, Highlights Importance of Supporting Pennsylvania's Natural Resources

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GREENTOWN, Pa., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today visited Promised Land State Park in Greentown during his two-day kayak tour on the Upper Delaware River to promote Pennsylvania's vast natural resources.

The governor also toured the Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, the Masker Museum and the Pickerel Point Campground. Joined by state and local officials, Corbett learned how recent improvements and preservation efforts have helped to sustain outdoor recreation as an economic staple in the area.

"Supporting tourism goes hand-in-hand with preserving our natural resources," Corbett said. "Not only is it vital that we take care of these resources for the growth of our commonwealth, but equally as vital is the need to preserve these resources for future generations.  I want my grandchildren to enjoy the same breath-taking Pennsylvania that I had the privilege to kayak today."

Local forest groups joined the governor on his tour of the state park to discuss the importance of the timber industry, which generates $5.5 billion in annual economic activity statewide. The State Forest System helps the industry make possible the livelihoods of approximately 90,000 Pennsylvanians.  As the nation's largest producer of hardwoods, Pennsylvania's timber industry involves more than 3,000 separate businesses and has a presence in all 67 counties.

Once repeatedly clear-cut forests, Promised Land State Park and its neighboring Delaware State Forest were purchased by the state in the early 1900s in an effort to restore, protect and reclaim the forests for wildlife habitat protection, recreational activity and sustainable tree harvesting.

"The young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps planted, built and improved these forests not just for the days they would spend here, but for the days that those yet to be born would enjoy here," Corbett said. "We must harvest what we need, but we also need to protect our land in the process. That belief has informed my decisions on energy policy, business growth and conservation.  By preserving our resources, we prosper."

The governor was joined by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Rick Allan, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael Krancer, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway, Promised Land State Park Manager Alex Stout, Delaware Forest District Manager Brad Elison and Paul Lyskava of the Forest Products Association.

This is Corbett's second kayak tour this summer. Corbett kayaked the Allegheny and Conemaugh rivers in July; visiting Forest, Venango and Warren counties, Johnstown and Pittsburgh. The Governor's kayak trips have become a tradition, beginning last summer when he promoted the importance of preserving and conserving our natural resources while traveling the Susquehanna River

For more information on the governor's kayak trip, visit www.governor.pa.gov.

For more information about Pennsylvania's aquatic resources, visit Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission online at www.fishandboat.com.

For more information about state parks, visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources online at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

Find additional opportunities to explore Pennsylvania's many unique tourism assets at www.visitPA.com.

Media contact:  Kelli Roberts, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor