Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act
Encyclopedia
Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act is a public lands acquisition law enacted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on 22 June 1964. It permits the state to issue bonds for the purchase of lands for public parks, reservoirs, and other conservation, recreation, and historical preservation purposes, and to coordinate those purchases with local governments. The act also permits acquisition of lands by eminent domain
. Once the lands are acquired under Project 70, the General Assembly must approve any disposition of these lands.
The park in northeastern Pennsylvania, ten miles north of Scranton, was known as Project 70 during its construction prior to opening under the name Lackawanna State Park.
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
. Once the lands are acquired under Project 70, the General Assembly must approve any disposition of these lands.
The park in northeastern Pennsylvania, ten miles north of Scranton, was known as Project 70 during its construction prior to opening under the name Lackawanna State Park.
List of parks
Below is a list of Pennsylvania state parks whose establishment or expansion was funded in part by Project 70 monies. The table includes the park name, if it was a new park or addition, the acres (hectares) acquired, the county or counties it is in, and the dates of the public hearing and approval by the governor.| Park | Type | Acres (Hectares) |
County | Public Hearing Date |
Governor Approval Date |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Dunbar, Henry Clay and Stewart Townships, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The focal point of the park is the more than of the Youghiogheny River Gorge that passes through the park. The river provides some of the best... |
New park | 18328.343 acres (7,417.2 ha) | Fayette County Fayette County, Pennsylvania Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
07-31-1964 | 08-08-1964 | First and largest state park acquired under Project 70; the park opened in 1965 on a limited basis and was formally dedicated in 1971 |
| Tyler State Park | New park | 1680.16 acres (679.9 ha) | Bucks County Bucks County, Pennsylvania - Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by... |
09-25-1964 | 11-17-1964 | The park was formally dedicated on May 25, 1974. |
| Codorus State Park Codorus State Park Codorus State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Heidelberg, Manheim, Penn, and West Manheim Townships in southwestern York County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was created around Lake Marburg, an artificial lake covering , and is named for Codorus Creek, which forms the lake... |
New Park | 3235.8 acres (1,309.5 ha) | York County York County, Pennsylvania York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania.... |
10-30-1964 | 12-10-1964 | The park, which was originally named "Codorus Creek State Park", officially opened in 1970. |
| Nockamixon State Park | Addition | 659.392 acres (266.8 ha) | Bucks County Bucks County, Pennsylvania - Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by... |
04-23-1965 | 07-12-1965 | |
| Valley Forge State Park | Addition | 217.137 acres (87.9 ha) | Chester County Chester County, Pennsylvania -State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were... |
04-30-1965 | 07-12-1965 | Given to the National Park Service National Park Service The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations... for the United States Bicentennial United States Bicentennial The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to the historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic... in 1976; now Valley Forge National Historical Park Valley Forge National Historical Park Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site where the Continental Army spent the winter of 1777–1778 near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolutionary War. The National Historical Park preserves the site and interprets the history of the Valley Forge encampment. ... |
| Ridley Creek State Park Ridley Creek State Park Ridley Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence Townships, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park, about north of the county seat of Media, offers many recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking.... |
New park | 2489.5 acres (1,007.5 ha) | Delaware County Delaware County, Pennsylvania Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties.... |
05-14-1965 | 12-06-1965 | |
| Locust Lake State Park Locust Lake State Park Locust Lake State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Locust Lake State Park is located approximately north of Pottsville, south of Mahanoy City, west of Tamaqua and west of Tuscarora State Park. The lake is... |
New park | 1143.51 acres (462.8 ha) | Schuylkill County Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania -Notable people:*Boxing heavyweight great Muhammad Ali had his training camp in Deer Lake.*Charles Justin Bailey, commanding general of the 81st Division in World War I, was born in Tamaqua on June 21, 1859.... |
06-04-1965 | 09-01-1965 | |
| Yellow Creek State Park Yellow Creek State Park Yellow Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Brush Valley and Cherryhill Townships, Indiana County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is along Yellow Creek and Little Yellow Creek. The old Kittanning Path goes through the parkland. The park was established in 1963. An additional ... |
Addition | 376.8 acres (152.5 ha) | Indiana County Indiana County, Pennsylvania -Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 58,077 registered voters in Indiana County .* Democratic: 26,653 * Republican: 24,159 * Other Parties: 7,265 -County commissioners:*Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican... |
08-13-1965 | 10-06-1965 | |
| Moraine State Park Moraine State Park Moraine State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek, and Worth townships in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The main feature of the park is its man-made lake, Lake Arthur, formed by impounding Muddy Creek, which is and is used for... |
New park | 1091.6 acres (441.8 ha) | Butler County Butler County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile... |
12-02-1965 | 03-23-1966 | |
| Moraine State Park Moraine State Park Moraine State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Brady, Clay, Franklin, Muddy Creek, and Worth townships in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The main feature of the park is its man-made lake, Lake Arthur, formed by impounding Muddy Creek, which is and is used for... |
Addition | 71.47 acres (28.9 ha) | Butler County Butler County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile... |
12-02-1965 | 03-23-1966 | Old Stone House was added to the new park |
| Maurice K. Goddard State Park Maurice K. Goddard State Park Maurice K. Goddard State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Deer Creek, Mill Creek, New Vernon and Sandy Lake Townships, Mercer County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It features natural beauty, wildlife, waterways and public recreational facilities. Lake Wilhelm shares its shorelines with... |
New park | 4867.5 acres (1,969.8 ha) | Mercer County Mercer County, Pennsylvania Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city.... |
12-03-1965 | 03-23-1966 | Originally known as "Sandy Creek State Park", name was changed to honor Maurice K. Goddard Maurice K. Goddard Maurice K. Goddard was the driving force behind the creation of 45 Pennsylvania state parks during his 24 years as a cabinet officer for six governors of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States.... |
| Pymatuning State Park | Addition | 259.3 acres (104.9 ha) | Crawford County Crawford County, Pennsylvania Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford... |
12-04-1965 | 07-25-1966 | |
| Little Buffalo State Park Little Buffalo State Park Little Buffalo State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Centre and Juniata Townships, Perry County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is a historical destination as well as a recreational destination. Visitors to the park can cross a covered bridge and observe a restored and... |
New park | 829.95 acres (335.9 ha) | Perry County Perry County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 43,602 people, 16,695 households, and 12,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile . There were 18,941 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile... |
01-20-1966 | 03-23-1966 | |
| Lackawanna State Park Lackawanna State Park Lackawanna State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Benton and North Abington Townships, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Lake Lackawanna, a man-made lake, is the central focus of recreation at the park... |
New park | 1288.48 acres (521.4 ha) | Lackawanna County Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 per square mile... |
01-28-1966 | 03-23-1966 | |
| Scranton Iron Furnaces Scranton Iron Furnaces The Scranton Iron Furnaces is a historic site that preserves the heritage of iron making in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania and is located in Scranton, near the Steamtown National Historic Site. It protects the remains of four stone blast furnaces which were built between 1848 and 1857. Iron... |
New park | 3.84 acres (1.6 ha) | Lackawanna County Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 per square mile... |
01-28-1966 | 03-23-1966 | Transferred in 1971 to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage... |
| Marsh Creek State Park Marsh Creek State Park Marsh Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Upper Uwchlan and Wallace Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is the location of the man-made Marsh Creek Lake. With an average depth of 40 feet , the lake is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating... |
New park | 1705.35 acres (690.1 ha) | Chester County Chester County, Pennsylvania -State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were... |
03-11-1966 | 06-07-1966 | |
| Nolde Forest State Park | New park | 665.82 acres (269.4 ha) | Berks County Berks County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile... |
07-15-1966 | 10-21-1966 | Now Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center Nolde Forest Environmental Educational Center is a Pennsylvania state park in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Programs are offered for youth and adult groups, school groups, and individuals. The center grounds provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and... |
| Shikellamy State Park Shikellamy State Park Shikellamy State Park is a Pennsylvania state park located at the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is divided into two sections. The older part, on a bluff on the western bank of the river, is the Shikellamy... |
Addition | 46.52 acres (18.8 ha) | Northumberland County Northumberland County, Pennsylvania There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had... |
08-26-1966 | 11-18-1966 | This is the marina portion of the park |
| Canoe Creek State Park Canoe Creek State Park Canoe Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Frankstown Township in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is 12 miles east of Altoona, the nearest city. Canoe Lake, at , is the focus of recreation at the park and is open for fishing year round. Canoe Creek State Park is a half mile off U.S.... |
New park | 905.06 acres (366.3 ha) | Blair County Blair County, Pennsylvania -Significant Topographic Features:*Brush Mountain*Logan Valley*Morrison Cove*Tussey Mountain-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 129,144 people, 51,518 households, and 34,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 246 people per square mile . There were 55,061... |
08-07-1966 | 01-16-1967 | |
| Laurel Ridge State Park Laurel Ridge State Park Laurel Ridge State Park is a Pennsylvania state park that passes through Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is home to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail that runs through the park from the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle to the... |
New park | 15037.7 acres (6,085.5 ha) | Cambria Cambria County, Pennsylvania Cambria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It comprises the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 143,679.... , Fayette Fayette County, Pennsylvania Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.... , Indiana Indiana County, Pennsylvania -Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 58,077 registered voters in Indiana County .* Democratic: 26,653 * Republican: 24,159 * Other Parties: 7,265 -County commissioners:*Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican... , Somerset Somerset County, Pennsylvania Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 77,742. Somerset County was created on April 17, 1795, from part of Bedford County and named for Somerset, United Kingdom. Its county seat is Somerset. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania,... , and Westmoreland Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile . There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile... counties |
05-18-1967 | 07-10-1967 | A second hearing was held 05-19-1967 |
| Evansburg State Park Evansburg State Park Evansburg State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Lower Providence, Lower Salford, Skippack, Towamencin, and Worcester Townships in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park has a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, old fields, and farmland... |
New park | 3359.05 acres (1,359.4 ha) | Montgomery County Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part... |
06-15-1967 | 04-18-1968 | |
| Oil Creek State Park Oil Creek State Park Oil Creek State Park is Pennsylvania state park on in Cherrytree, Cornplanter and Oil Creek Township Townships, Venango County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is adjacent to Drake Well Museum, the site of the first successful oil well in the United States, that was drilled under the... |
New park | 7197 acres (2,912.5 ha) | Crawford Crawford County, Pennsylvania Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford... and Venango Venango County, Pennsylvania Venango County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,984. Its county seat is Franklin.-History:Venango County was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties... counties |
08-10-1967 | 11-14-1967 | |
| Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Dunbar, Henry Clay and Stewart Townships, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The focal point of the park is the more than of the Youghiogheny River Gorge that passes through the park. The river provides some of the best... |
Addition | 155 acres (62.7 ha) | Fayette County Fayette County, Pennsylvania Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
06-17-1968 | 07-18-1968 | |
| Mt. Pisgah State Park Mt. Pisgah State Park Mt. Pisgah State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Smithfield, Springfield, Troy and West Burlington Townships, Bradford County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is located almost exactly halfway between Troy and Towanda, along Pennsylvania State Route 3019, near U.S. Route 6, at the... |
New park | 1024.3 acres (414.5 ha) | Bradford County Bradford County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile... |
06-23-1968 | 07-18-1968 | |
| Jacobsburg State Park | New park | 646.81 acres (261.8 ha) | Northampton County Northampton County, Pennsylvania As of the 2010 census, the county was 86.3% White, 5.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 2.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 2.2% were two or more races, and 3.8% were some other race. 10.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.As of the census of... |
01-30-1969 | 03-28-1969 | |
| Blue Marsh State Park | New park | 500 acres (202.3 ha) | Berks County Berks County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile... |
03-27-1969 | 06-30-1969 | Now Blue Marsh Lake Blue Marsh Lake Blue Marsh Lake is an artificial lake located northwest of the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. It is in western Berks County, fed into by the Tulpehocken Creek. The main span of the lake is along the border between Bern and Lower Heidelberg Townships. However, the northwesternmost portions lie... and Pennsylvania State Game Lands Pennsylvania State Game Lands The Pennsylvania State Game Lands are lands managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for hunting, trapping, and fishing. These lands, often not usable for farming or development, are donated to the PGC or purchased by the PGC with hunting license monies.The Pennsylvania Game Commission runs a... Number 280. Park was completed, but without funds to operate it, so was given to the Pennsylvania Game Commission Pennsylvania Game Commission The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the state agency responsible for wildlife conservation and management in Pennsylvania in the United States... , now also partly a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site |
| Allegheny River State Park | New park | 3207.4 acres (1,298 ha) | Venango County Venango County, Pennsylvania Venango County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,984. Its county seat is Franklin.-History:Venango County was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties... |
05-02-1969 | 07-29-1969 | Now part of Clear Creek State Forest |