We hate to be pessimists, but we fear the once-scenic Speedwell Forge Lake will remain a dry hole for a very long time.

It's a shame, really. The lake, north of Lititz, was one of the prettiest spots in Lancaster County — a refuge for canoeists and fishermen for more than two generations.

But a crumbling dam forced the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — which owns the property — to drain the lake last year to avoid the possibility of flooding homes and other buildings downstream.

Fixing the dam is estimated to cost more than $6 million, money the commission does not have. What it does have are other high hazard dams and lakes around the state also laying claim to its limited resources.

What to do? At several recent public meetings held by local elected officials, lawmakers and commission representatives, it was made clear that the first, best option was the local one.

"One of the parameters is going to be how well you do at raising local moneys," said Jack Arway, commission executive director. "The more money you can raise, the higher priority you will be on the list."

Local residents have already formed a nonprofit organization to raise funds for the repair of the dam and restoration of the lake.

It's accepting donations at .000savespeedwell.org.

A positive step, certainly, but one that definitely leads to an uphill climb.

The acute financial needs at Speedwell and other fish commission properties have forced the agency to consider allowing shale gas drilling on its properties in the Marcellus region of the state.

Arway said the commission is taking the step reluctantly — fearful of the possibility of pollution — but sees it as a necessary source of revenue.

How much revenue gas drilling might produce, and whether any of it could come here, are difficult questions to answer.

One thing we know is that the recently approved impact fee legislation on gas drilling will have little impact on Lancaster County.

Under the legislation, most of the proceeds of the fees will stay in the counties and municipalities where gas drilling is taking place — definitely not here — with a tiny fraction winding up in environmental funds and water and sewer projects with a wider impact.

While we don't begrudge the revenue going to Marcellus area municipalities, we rue Pennsylvania's missed opportunity to levy a broad gas extraction tax — as do most other states — that could have benefited more of us.

It could also have helped refill an empty lake in these parts.