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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Bob Freeman D-Northampton |
  
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Freeman's Appalachian Trail protection measure signed by governor
HARRISBURG, June 12 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, that will ensure Pennsylvania's portion of the Appalachian Trail is protected from inappropriate forms of development was signed into law this week by Gov. Ed Rendell.
House Bill 1281 will require municipalities that contain portions of the Appalachian Trail to adopt, implement and enforce zoning ordinances as part of their responsibility to protect the trail.
Freeman's bill strengthens a 1978 law that was intended to protect the trail as a state scenic, historic and aesthetic treasure. The original law did not mandate the zoning required in Freeman's bill, which is critical to protecting the trail from inappropriate development.
"The trail is one of our state's greatest natural assets," Freeman said. "My legislation will go a long way to protecting the pristine setting of the trail for current and future generations."
Freeman said the legislation was suggested by Easton environmental attorney Charles Elliot as a response to a situation in Monroe County where a developer purchased land near the Appalachian Trail with the intent of constructing a private automobile racing club. Since the township where this development was proposed had no zoning in place at the time, there was little that could be done to block the inappropriate use.
"I'm very pleased that the governor has signed my bill into law," Freeman said. "We can now be assured that inappropriate development will not mar the trail."
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