Mount Nittany Hikers

As many State College residents are aware, the nearby State Correctional Institution (SCI) Rockview (aka the Rockview Prison) recently closed after more than a century of operation.

The fate of some 5,800 acres (9 square miles) of SCI Rockview lands is uncertain as of this writing. These lands extend up to the crest of Mount Nittany and beyond. They include both farmlands and forest lands and a good deal of open space in a rapidly developing valley.

Last month, 11 local conservation, agricultural preservation, and civic organizations -- including the ClearWater Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Sierra Club, Centre County Farmland Trust, and the Mount Nittany Conservancy -- wrote to Governor Josh Shapiro that these lands:

In their letter, these stakeholders set forth a vision that gives priority to the public good, sustained agricultural production, and ecological services. More specifically, they promote the following opportunities and goals on the Rockview lands:

• The mountain top and side remain in active forestry.
• Productive farmland is maintained in the valley.
• A forested wildlife corridor reconnects the side of Mount Nittany with the Spring Creek Canyon to improve habitat conditions and cool runoff.
• A public access trail connects Mount Nittany to the Spring Creek Canyon through this forested wildlife corridor, continuing the legacy of this public land by providing public access.
• A new trailhead improves access for Mount Nittany Conservancy’s trail system and takes pressure off the Lemont trailhead.
• For any development of this property, there is no net increase in stormwater runoff and the highest standard of sewage treatment to protect Spring Creek’s status as a high-quality cold-water fishery.