Friends of Pennsylvania’s Outdoors,

We hope you are staying safe, healthy, and enjoying our beautiful fall. 

Despite the transition into cooler weather, visits to our state’s natural spaces and demand for recreational opportunities remain at an all-time high. It is clear that the outdoor industry continues to play a key role in ensuring the mental and physical well-being of all Pennsylvanians during this time.

As we near the end of the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s legislative session, the security of recreation and conservation special funds is in question, and the time available to pass bills focused on recreation is running out. We encourage you to learn more about these issues in the Policy Notes below and on the PEC Bill Tracker, and to contact your legislators with input on the issues that affect your outdoor business.
COVID-19 Trail Impacts Research Update
“This is a great time to have access to trails and a challenging time to manage them.”

In an effort to better understand how increased trail usage during the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting those recreational resources, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) has been surveying trail managers from across the state and collecting trail counter data to put those impacts into perspective.

Following the release of its June 2020 report, The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Pennsylvania’s Non-Motorized Trails, PEC began work on a followup report focusing on the core of the 2020 season. Some 67 different trail managers took part in our survey this time, and data from 28 different trail counters were evaluated to get a full picture of the impacts.

Across the full season, on the trails that had consistent numbers, we saw a 17% increase in trail use, but that some individual trails recorded increases of over 150% when comparing single months. But even with all that use, the outlook of the trail managers themselves improved significantly, especially once they were able to re-orient volunteer events and maintenance projects to deal with the new realities.

All this increased use only confirms what trail advocates and outdoor enthusiasts have known for years: that public spaces and specifically trails are critical infrastructure for communities around the Commonwealth. An emphasis needs to be put on improving trail connectivity and ensuring trails are maintained for years to come. We all benefit when the trailhead is your front door. 
Items of Note:

  • On February 4th, the House Transportation Committee will be voting on House Bill 140, which addresses bike lanes and vehicle parking. This is a reintroduction of legislation from the prior session which passed the House 200-1 but failed to receive consideration in the Senate.
  • Governor Wolf will be giving his annual budget address on February 2nd. While we do not yet know what the proposal will include, we expect another attempt by some in the legislature to divert funding from established Special Funds dedicated to recreational development and resource protection. Legislation has already been introduced – House Bill 255 – toward that end. We’ll keep you posted of developments.
  • On February 3rd, the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee will be hosting an informational hearing on state marketing and promotion activities.

The General Assembly has also named the chairs of several important committees for the new session:

Senate Community, Economic, & Recreational Development Committee
Majority Chair: John Yudichak (I – Carbon and Luzerne County)
Minority Chair: Amanda Cappalletti (D – Delaware and Montgomery County)

Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee
Majority Chair: Gene Yaw (R – Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Union County)
Minority Chair: Carolyn Comitta (D – Chester County)

Senate Game and Fisheries Committee
Majority Chair: Dan Laughlin (R – Erie County)
Minority Chair: Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny and Westmoreland County)

House Tourism & Recreational Development Committee
Majority Chair: Dave Millard (R – Columbia County)
Minority Chair: Mary Jo Daley (D – Montgomery County)

House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee
Majority Chair: Daryl Metcalfe (R – Butler County)
Minority Chair: Greg Vitali (D – Delaware and Montgomery County)

House Game and Fisheries Committee
Majority Chair: Keith Gillespie (R – York County)
Minority Chair: Ed Neilson (D – Philadelphia County)

PEC will be keeping track of Committee meetings and legislation introduced. You can visit our online tracker at https://pecpa.org/pec-bill-tracker/ for the most complete information. We also post updates on our Twitter policy account: @pecpolicy

Spending time outdoors has many proven benefits, from elevating mood and lowering anxiety levels to warding off countless diseases and boosting the immune system. Cooler weather doesn’t have to signal an end to enjoying the outdoors and reaping these benefits.

Pennsylvania’s world-class outdoor recreational assets boost our standard of living and create real prosperity locally. Many of these resources simply wouldn’t exist without public investment through programs like Growing Greener and the Keystone Fund.

But the return on taxpayers’ investment exceeds the value of the assets themselves: every dollar spent on public lands and trails in Pennsylvania brings more than its equal back into the economy. As the state charts a tenuous path to economic recovery, cashing out one of our most successful long-term investments now would be disastrously shortsighted.
On its 100th anniversary, a new book explores the chain of unlikely historical events that gave us Presque Isle State Park.

Authors David Frew and Jerry Skrypzak discuss the book, the Isle, and their hometown of Erie, PA.
The Pennsylvania Legacies podcast features conversations with community leaders, policy experts, and Pennsylvanians on the most important environmental and conservation issues facing the Commonwealth.

New episodes are posted every other Friday at pecpa.org/audio and are available on most podcast platforms.
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In the News
Where's Your Weekend?
January 29, 6pm - February 7th, 2021

The 20th Anniversary of Bicycle Film Festival is going virtual! BFF Philadelphia includes a Bicycle Film Festival (BFF) Select Shorts Program (90 min runtime) as well as a panel discussion hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. A ticket allows you to view the 90-minute short film format and speakers' panel any time from January 29, 6pm through February 7th, 2021 streamed to your computer, tablet, or smart TV by simply clicking on the link provided by email after you purchase. 

For more information, visit the event website.
Questions? Comments? Tips? Email StateOfPlay@pecpa.org