March 15, 2007

CONTACT: MARTIN INDARS
1-717-787-5709 or 1-484-883-1628

HARRISBURG, March 15 - State Senator Andy Dinniman announced today that legislation paving the way for the creation of a more than 1,000-acre open-space preserve in Chester County is expected to receive final Senate approval next week.

“This bill makes possible a partnership between the county, a non-profit land preservation organization and a private landowner that will ultimately result in the creation of a 1,086-acre open space preserve,” Dinniman said. “It is without a doubt a win-win situation for all those involved and a major victory for local residents in the fight to conserve our open spaces and beautiful places here in Chester County.”

The idea dates back to 2004, when then-county Commissioner Dinniman and his colleagues saw an opportunity to double the size of the 500-acre Embreeville park through a generous donation of local philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest.

Under the agreement Lenfest would donate 568 acres of the former King Ranch in Newlin and West Bradford Townships, located adjacent to the county-owned Embreeville park, to the Natural Lands Trust (NLT). The county would then transfer the 500-acre Embreeville property to the NLT so that both properties could be managed together as a publicly accessible nature preserve.

The deal’s major obstacle, however, was the contract under which the state originally gave the Embreeville Property to the county in the mid 1980s. Under that agreement, the Commonwealth maintained the right to approve or deny any future transfers of the land.

When Dinniman was elected state Senator in 2006, he immediately set out to reconcile those issues and make the preserve a reality. In January, Dinniman introduced Senate Bill 21 to open the door for the preserve.

With help from Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, who also represents portions of Chester County, the bill was put on the fast track and recently reported out of the Senate Government Committee. On March 13, the Senate unanimously approved the bill on second consideration. A vote on final approval could take place as early as next week.

“The people of Chester County can thank Sen. Pileggi for getting behind this project and seeing it moved forward quickly,” Dinniman said. “And most importantly, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Gerry Lenfest for donating such a vast and valuable piece of land to the people. Mr. Lenfest’s generous gift will be remembered for years to come as residents and families enjoy the nature preserve.”

A companion to Senate Bill 21 has already been introduced in the House.

Dinniman said he does not foresee any problems with getting the bill passed.

“Hopefully, this Spring we will be celebrating the establishment of one of the largest open-space preserves in the region - a natural area that we can all enjoy for generations to come,” he said.

For more information, call Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or e-mail andydinniman@pasenate.com.

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