The question is what would the late Gifford Pinchot, Governor of Pennsylvania who set up the Pennsylvania State Forest system say? "Where conflicting interests must be reconciled, the question shall always be answered from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run."

Pennsylvania State Forests like New York State Forests are working lands, to be used for a wide variety of public purposes. Does oil and gas production conflict with public uses? It's debatable. New York State allows oil and natural gas drilling and production in it's state forests, but not high volume hydrofracking due to concerns of size of the well pads. Pennsylvania does allow HVH fracking. if NY legalizes HVH fracking, they probably will sell mineral rights under state forests, but not allow the larger well pads on the state land itself.

The top soil is piled up and protected at these sites, tied down by grass. Once the wells are depleted, the drillers must replace the top soil, and replant the tree stands. Eventually the forest where there once were wellpads will regrow and once again be cut for forest products.