A local lawmaker is a step closer to seeing Auditor Gen. Eugene DePasquale complete an audit of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, including the purchases of thousands of acres across the region.
On Monday, the state House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, will hold a meeting to take up House Resolution 948 at the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. That legislation centers on PENNVEST approving two low-interest loans totaling nearly $51 million for New Hampshire-based Lyme Timber Co. to purchase more than 60,000 acres of private forest land in Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.
“Given the number of questions raised by both lawmakers and citizens about PENNVEST’s actions, and the time involved in conducting a thorough audit, it is important that we move quickly in our consideration of House Resolution 948,” Causer told The Era on Friday. “I believe information produced by an audit would prove helpful in assessing the legality of these PENNVEST transactions under Pennsylvania law.”
Under the legislation, DePasquale would conduct a thorough audit of more than 100 nonpoint source management transactions.
PENNVEST Executive Director Brion Johnson previously told The Era that he had no concern about an audit of nonpoint source transactions or any project funded by PENNVEST.
State law allows PENNVEST to use money from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program for non-point source projects; federal law and additional state-established parameters do have to be followed, according to information from Causer. Projects may include best management practices identified in Pennsylvania’s Nonpoint Source Management Program Update, such as part of a facility or system. Causer said that PENNVEST staff members pointed out that Lyme Timber will use best management practices in timber operations.
Aside from the land acquisitions, Lyme Timber will complete a small acid mine drainage project on the property at a cost of about $700,000. In addition, about 9,000 acres of the land would be placed into a permanent working forest conservation easement.
Monday’s committee meeting will be streamed at www.RepCauser.com.
