After its formation, Earth Conservancy developed a series of comprehensive land use plans, which at the time, were unprecedented in Luzerne County.  Each of the plans were designated for different types of potential uses and all incorporated Best Use Practices as a guiding principal for environmental and economic reclamation of Earth Conservancy’s 16,300 acres.  To date, Earth Conservancy has completed six land use plans, all of which are available on this website.

• The Land Use Plan (LUP) was completed in 1996. It was designed to comprehensively address all of Earth Conservancy’s 16,300 acres in an effort to determine how the land should be reclaimed and responsibly reutilized.  The steering committee for the project was comprised of 38 local and regional stakeholders, 11 of which were municipal representatives. The LUP designated that 10,000 acres should remain as green/recreational space, 2,800 acres for residential development, 2,200 acres for industrial development. Click tab at left to read report.
• The Wyoming Valley Open Space Master Plan (OSMP) was completed in 1999.  The purpose of the study was to determine the best possible uses for the 10,000 acres determined to be green/recreational space in the Lower Wyoming Valley.  The OSMP specified the best alternatives for the green/recreational space. Click tab at left to read report.
• The Mixed-Use Master Plan/South Valley Parkway Project (MUP) was also completed in 1999. The MUP is a unique land use plan that incorporates mixed-use (commercial, residential, retail and recreational) development along the Route 29 corridor in Hanover and Newport Townships and Nanticoke City. This plan was the first comprehensive land use plan of this type in Luzerne County. Click tab at left to read report.
• Interstate 81 Exit 168/Route 115 Connector Road Mater Plan was completed in 2003. The plan details an alignment for a new road connecting major area highways and outlines recreational and development opportunities for more than 800 acres of land adjacent to I-81.  Click tab at left to read report.
• The All-Terrain Vehicle Feasibility Study was completed in 2005. The study was designed to explore potential options and alternatives for ATV riding in the Lower Wyoming Valley. A steering committee was formed, comprised of representatives from state and local governments, public utilities, ATV clubs and special interest groups, ATV dealers and those impacted by ATV riding.  The issues identified by the steering committee as matters of concern to all stakeholders including possible property areas for development as an ATV facility in Luzerne County.  Earth Conservancy concluded that it was not feasible to create an ATV park on its properties because of liability issues.  At one time, Luzerne County was going to do a follow-up study.  Click tab at left to read report.
• The Plymouth Township Land Use Feasibility Study was completed in 2006.  The study explored the development potential of approximately 350 acres of Earth Conservancy land in the township known as Avondale Pit.  The study examined market analysis and other demographics to create a space with an optimal balance of residential and recreational opportunities for the parcel while maximizing the potential for its physical attributes. Click tab at left to read report.
• The Reuse Analysis and Sustainable Redevelopment Framework for Earth Conservancy South Valley Corridor Lands was completed in 2008. The study area included the City of Nanticoke and Hanover and Newport townships, all located in the Wyoming Valley, which runs in a northeast to southwest direction from Wilkes-Barre through Newport Township. Earth Conservancy owns approximately 1,150 acres in those areas. The study found that the Wyoming Valley has some existing characteristics that are key to the foundation of developing a smart growth plan, including an existing network town and village centers, a transit system, and abundant recreational amenities. While improvements would be needed to begin the development process, the foundation exists to accept smart growth planning. Click tab at left to read report.

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