Appalachian Trail In PA

The PA Legislature is considering a zoning law to protect the trail corridor.

Each year, thousands of people come to Pennsylvania to hike the scenic and historic Appalachian Trail. As was the intent of its founder, Benton MacKaye, most use the trail to escape from life in a busy city or suburb and relax in nature -- trees, plants, wildlife and clean vistas. In some areas of the trail in this state, however, these views are being threatened.

Efforts to keep the skyline unobstructed and things like power lines far away have been initiated by state Rep. Bob Freeman, the Democrat from Easton and chairman of the House Local Government Committee. His bill, HB 1281, has been passed in the House of Representatives and is now awaiting action in the Senate. The new legislation, an amendment to the Appalachian Trail Act of 1978, would require each municipality through which the trail runs to create and enforce zoning laws to protect the trail from these visual encroachments.