Protect Hawn's Bridge Peninsula

Please deny the permit application for any development on Hawn's Bridge Peninsula. The Hawn's Bridge Peninsula is part of the Raystown Dam Natural Heritage Area (Biological Diversity Area) identified in the Huntingdon County Natural Heritage Inventory. The Inventory identifies such areas as "containing plants or animals of special concern at state or federal levels, exemplary natural communities, or exceptional native diversity."

The area in which a marina and other facilities are proposed includes red cedar-mixed hardwood rich shale woodland and Virginia pine-mixed hardwood shale woodland communities. These rare habitats support rare shale barrens plants and animals. According to the Huntingdon County Natural Heritage Inventory (p. 162, on-line publication), "The shale barren communities and associated plant species depend upon the harsh conditions found on these steep, dry slopes where competition from other species is low." One of the largest threats to a barrens community is disturbance. The establishment of a marina, camping sites, restaurants, and associated amenities on the Hawn's Bridge Peninsula would certainly cause the types of disturbances which the Inventory warns against.

From an aesthetic viewpoint, converting the forested peninsula to an entertainment-oriented facility with a marina would create an eyesore. The Peninsula and surrounding slopes are forested almost to the water's edge, providing a beautiful backdrop to Raystown Lake.