Comment EI-18335
Received or sent (printed as 9/23/2010)
I am writing on behalf of the Central PA Convention and Visitors Bureau, the tourist promotion agency representing Centre County. Tourism is the second largest industry in Pennsylvania and continues to grow. Centre County realizes millions of dollars in travel related expenditures annually and our mission is to make sure our area remains in a position for continued tourism growth. Visitors come here for a variety of reasons, but our outdoor recreation offerings are one of the primary motivators. Outdoor recreation in Centre County infuses hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy from visitors through their purchases of goods and services at our grocery stores, retail stores, gas stations, lodging properties, campgrounds, etc. We are concerned about the request to industrialize a remote wilderness area at the western edge of Centre County. This area is well known for its outdoor recreation opportunities and has been used by hunters, fishermen, paddlers, hikers, bicyclists, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts for over 100 years. The very popular and unique Snow Shoe Rail Trail traverses the project site and there are plans in the works with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to expand and connect this trail with others in the area. The Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau is opposed to the conversion of this area back to a rail line or any other industrial project which would have a major negative impact on the tourism product in Centre County, one that we have invested millions of dollars promoting.
Submitted by: Betsey Howell · Central PA CVB · State College, PA
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-35116/comment/EI-18335 · back to the docket sheet