The proposed divestment of 1800 acres of State-determined surplus State
Correctional land north of Interstate 99 has been in the public's eye for nearly
four years. The final determination on when - or if - these lands will be
divested and who the ultimate owners may be is still playing out in the halls of
the State Capitol. Benner Township has requested that the core canyon corridor
be deeded to the Township for perpetual open space. In previous
discussions, about 375 acres of this segment has been offered by the State.
Before
concluding what the best approach should be to protect the natural habitat and
ecological diversity and what types of human activities could co-exist, the
Township requested, and received, a grant from the Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources to study the property to that end.
The Supervisors
caution this land has not yet been transferred and it
is still unlawful to access the area. The Rockview SCI routinely
patrols the area and will issue fines to trespassers.
