Mass Clearcutting of Trees and Shrubs by PennDOT

[JPZenger]

In Lancaster County, along Route 222, between Ephrata and Route 30, PennDOT has cut down every single tree and shrub along the highway. This is about a 15 mile stretch. They also have done similar clearcutting of every living thing on a steep hillside above an entrance ramp to Route 378 in Bethlehem along the Monocacy Creek, a trophy trout creek. There also has been mass clearcutting in areas of Whitehall Township in recent months.

Have you seen any similar clearcutting in your area?

I am afraid this is a new policy that may spread to other areas of PA. PA. officials talk about the importance of tree plantings to protect water quality and air quality, and then the State massacures thousands of mature trees. The tree cutting also removes buffers between traffic and adjacent homes.

I can understand cutting trees that obstruct sight distances or that are very close to a roadway - however that is not the case in this recent denuding of the landscape.

[Number9Dream]

1. PennDOT - the worst run org.

The same clearcutting has occured at the ramps linking Rte. 22 & Rte. 191. I've lived in the Lehigh Valley for over thirty years, and PennDOT continues to prove that it is the worst run organization in America. From leaving motorists stuck on highways for 24 hours, to lack of future planning, to wasting money, the upper management of PennDOT is simply awful. The top 100 managers at PennDOT should be fired and replaced.

[blue neen]

2. I have noticed the same thing along Rt. 356 in Westmoreland County.

The landscape looks naked.

[Bunny]

3. Yeah, I've seen that too.

I called Allegheny Twp to see what was going on. They didn't know, they thought maybe River Forest was clearing land for their housing development, but they are at least a year away from full zoning clearance to start building. So, who knows?

Hi neen! How are ya? Enjoying the lovely "spring" weather??? :hi:

[blue neen]

4. The "experts" say this is the coldest Easter in 30 years.

No Easter Egg Hunt THIS year! :hi: