Unexpected resignation of DCNR secretary follows scrutiny of land tract

     Former DCNR Secretary Richard Allan at a meeting in Williamsport last week regarding expanding gas drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest.  (Marie Cusick for StateImpact Pennsylvania)

    Former DCNR Secretary Richard Allan at a meeting in Williamsport last week regarding expanding gas drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest. (Marie Cusick for StateImpact Pennsylvania)

    The chief of Pennsylvania’s forests and parks has resigned.

    In a surprise move, the Corbett Administration announced the departure of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Monday.

    The Governor’s office sent out a three-sentence press release with the headline: “Governor asks for and receives the resignation of DCNR Secretary.”

     

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    The 59-year-old Cumberland County resident was appointed by Corbett in March 2011 to run the agency that oversees the states parks and forests.  

    Allan had owned a scrap metal recycling business and ran an industry trade group.

    Under his leadership, DCNR has come under scrutiny recently regarding more gas drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest.

    Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley declined to discuss the situation, calling it “a personnel matter.” Asked whether it involved illegal activity, Harley said it did not.

    Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry, Ellen Ferretti, will serve as Acting Secretary.

      

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal