The Pennsylvania Game Commissioners this week approved four land transactions that will increase the State Game Lands (SGL) system by nearly 1,150 acres, including the creation of a new SGL in Clarion County. Other transactions were approved in Dauphin, Centre and Clearfield counties.

Commission Executive Director Vernon Ross noted that the Board has been fortunate to use donated funds to purchase additional acres.

Board has approved the acquisition of more than 46,450 acres of State Game Lands since July 1, 1999, when the last license fee increase went into effect.

The purchases and donations included land in--

Clarion County: nearly a 965-acre parcel of land in Piney Township that will be designated SGL 330 -- the newest SGL in the agency's system – bought from the Alliance for Wetlands and Wildlife for $289,500. Commonly known as the "Piney Tract," this parcel 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 re-vegetation 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 in addition to the various game species -- such as ring-necked pheasants, rabbits, ruffed grouse and wild turkey.

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. Other state endangered and threatened species, such as the short-eared owl, upland sandpiper and northern harrier, can be found on Piney Tract."

Brauning noted that grassland habitats have been under siege, but reclaimed mine lands in Pennsylvania and across the country are 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.

Dauphin County: the donation of two tracts of land totaling 60 acres that are indentures to SGL 264, Wiconisco Township, from the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR). Acquisition of this land will enable the Game Commission and Dauphin County Conservation District to partner on addressing acid-mine discharge issues related to SGL 264. SGL 264 currently contains 8,850 acres in Dauphin and Schuylkill counties.

Centre County: ratification of a 10-acre donation from M, M &V Energy that will provide vital public access to SGL 100 in Burnside Township. The access will be provided near Pine Glen. SGL 100 currently contains 19,973 acres in Centre and Clearfield counties.

Clearfield County: the ratification of a 113-acre donation from M, M & V Energy that will provide protection to a portion of land along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Karthaus Township. This parcel will become part of SGL 100, which currently contains 19,373 acres in Centre and Clearfield counties.

1/28/2005