HARRISBURG, Pa., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game
Commissioners today approved three proposals that will increase the State Game
Lands system by nearly 940 acres.
"The Game Commission's ability to purchase and preserve lands for wildlife
and for public hunting and trapping has always been limited by rising property
values and, during certain tight financial times, the limited availability of
funds," said Vern Ross, agency executive director. "However, with the license
increase approved in 1998, and with the commitment of the Board of Game
Commissioners to maximize land acquisition efforts, the agency has worked
closely with conservation partners to achieve this objective."
Ross also noted that the Board has been fortunate to receive land and
monetary donations to augment the agency's State Game Lands acreage.
"Conservation-minded individuals are helping the Game Commission leave a
legacy for all Pennsylvanians to admire," Ross said. For more information on
how to contribute either land or money, visit the Game Commission's website
(http://www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on "Wildlife Donations" on the
homepage.
The Game Commission has been purchasing State Game Lands since 1920. The
State Game Lands system currently contains more than 1.4 million acres. Under
state law, the Game Commission is authorized to purchase property for no more
than $400 per acre from the Game Fund, with certain exceptions regarding
interior holdings, indentures and for administrative purposes. Any purchase
that equals or exceeds $300,000 must be approved by the General Assembly and
Governor through the capital budget appropriation process.
Including today's actions, the Board has approved the acquisition of more
than 47,550 acres of State Game Lands since July 1, 1999, when the last
license fee increase went into effect.
"State Game Lands represent a tangible asset that hunters and trappers of
this state can literally point to as a product of their license fees," Ross
said. "In addition to the bountiful game and furbearer populations and
wildlife in our state, this is one more reason to view the price of a
Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker's license as a bargain."
CLARION COUNTY: The Board approved the purchase of more than 836 acres in
Piney Township from the Alliance for Wetlands and Wildlife for $250,833, with
a 50 percent Federal-State Wildlife Grant reimbursement. The option is
subject to reservations of record, including a 25-year oil and gas
reservation, but there are no new exceptions or reservations. This parcel
will become part of SGL 330, and is the second purchase of what is commonly
known as the "Piney Tract." The Board approved the first purchase of nearly
965 acres of the Piney Tract in January.
The Piney Tract is a remarkable area of grasslands and scattered woods
that has long been recognized as an important habitat for wildlife. The
property was mined for coal several times beginning during World War I,
resulting in a diversity of topographic features. The most recent activity
was reclamation and revegetation work in 1979. Much of the area was reclaimed
into gently rolling hills planted with various grasses.
"The Piney Tract is significant because of the large populations of
grassland-associated birds and the diversity of species that have occupied
this area for many years," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director.
"In addition to the various game species - such as ring-necked pheasants,
rabbits, ruffed grouse and wild turkey - that use this property, there are a
number of species of special concern that can be found on this same tract."
As an example, Dan Brauning, Game Commission Wildlife Diversity Section
supervisor, noted that the Henslow's sparrow - a nationally rare bird that is
classified as endangered or threatened in most states in which it occurs - can
be found in the hundreds on the Piney Tract.
"This probably represents the largest concentration of this species in the
state," Brauning said. "Other state endangered and threatened species, such
as the short-eared owl and upland sandpiper, also can be found on Piney
Tract."
Brauning pointed out that grassland habitats have been under siege, but
reclaimed mine lands in Pennsylvania and across the country have become
refuges for viable populations of game and nongame species. The Piney Tract
stands out among reclaimed mine lands because of its size, which helps reduce
the impact of forest-edge predators enabling birds to sustain substantial
local populations. Few reclaimed areas have such extensive fields, or support
the diversity or densities of grassland species as does the Piney Tract.
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY: The Board approved the generous donation of 89 acres
in Apolacon and Choconut townships from the estate of Mary Carlisle Hess of
Montrose. The parcel will become part of SGL 140, which currently contains
1,244 acres. According to the Last Will and Testament of Ms. Hess, it was
her desire to have her property remain in its wild state and become the
property of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Land Management Group
Supervisor Rich Lupinsky described the wooded tract with a three-acre forested
wetland and small pond as an excellent wildlife area. The property is mostly
level and is easily accessed from Bow Bridge Road.
DAUPHIN COUNTY: The Board approved a land exchange involving a 24-acre
parcel of SGL 264 in Lykens Township with Aquilla and Ruth Ann King, who will
convey to the agency a 37.745-acre parcel in Gratz Borough. The parcel being
conveyed to the Game Commission will provide valuable public access off of
Spruce Street to SGL 264, which currently contains 8,850 acres in Dauphin and
Schuylkill counties.
COMMISSIONERS APPROVE AN OIL/GAS AND TWO COAL MINING LEASES
The Board of Game Commissioners approved an oil/gas lease and two coal
mining lease amendments at its June meeting.
All mining, as well as drilling and well development, conducted on State
Game Lands will comply with the state's surface mining and oil and gas
regulations, as well as the Game Commission's standard surface mine and
oil/gas lease agreements. The leases include performance bonds and
environmental protection measures, as well as agency-developed plans to
reestablish wildlife habitat and vegetative cover.
SGL 264, Dauphin County - An existing coal deep mining lease with Ladnar
Inc. of Hummelstown for SGL 264 in Williams Township, Dauphin County, was
amended to allow surface mining to accommodate proposed deep mining. The
amendment area will be 478 acres; 120 for surface mining and an additional 22
acres for operational support. During the amendment's eight-year term, it's
anticipated about 800,000 tons of coal will be removed with an estimated
royalty value to the Game Commission of more than $2 million. The firm will
pay the agency an annual advanced royalty of $175,000 for the future purchase
of State Game Lands. Ladnar will pay for all timber impacted by operations;
Game Commission personnel will assess tree losses at a double-stumpage rate.
The lease also will allow for the completion of several abandoned mine
reclamation projects within the local game lands areas.
SGL 79, Cambria County - An existing sandstone mining lease with Laurel
Sand & Stone Inc. of Ligonier for SGL 79 in Jackson Township, Cambria County,
was amended to allow for incidental coal removal resulting from ongoing
reclamation activities of 17 acres of abandoned coal spoil piles and
highwalls. The amendment paves the way for Laurel Sand & Stone to remove and
sell the coal; it will pay the Game Commission a stepped royalty rate of 8-12
percent of the F.O.B. pit price for all coal it sells. There currently is no
estimated value for the coal onsite. The lease amendment will not affect any
additional surface area on SGL 79.
SGL 96, Venango County - An existing oil/gas lease with Great Lakes Energy
Partners LLC of Hartville, Ohio, for SGL 96 in Cherrytree Township, Venango
County, was amended to increase the lease acreage from 520 acres to 590.5
acres. One additional well will be placed on the additional acreage included
in the amended lease agreement. The royalty rate to the Game Commission will
remain 30.251 percent, as stipulated in the original lease.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission
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Related links:
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
CONTACT:
Jerry Feaser, Pennsylvania Game Commission,
+1-717-705-6541, PGCNEWS@state.pa.us
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