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Key Property Along Loyalhanna Creek Acquired By Western PA Conservancy
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The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has permanently protected another high-priority property in the Ligonier Valley-- 36 acres in Cook Township, Westmoreland County which includes several small wetlands and 1,900 feet of stream frontage along Loyalhanna Creek in the Ligonier Valley. The newly conserved land lies in close proximity to 3,000 acres of conserved land within the upper Loyalhanna Creek watershed. The Conservancy’s purchase expands protection of this scenic section of the Laurel Highlands and further protects Loyalhanna Creek, a long-term conservation priority for WPC.
“With nearly 2,000 feet of stream frontage, this property will have a direct, positive impact on water quality in the headwaters of Loyalhanna Creek,” said Laurel Highlands Program Director Mike Kuzemchak.
Permanent conservation of this land expands protection of the Ligonier Valley, a high-priority conservation region for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, said President and CEO Thomas Saunders.
“The Ligonier Valley’s beautiful farms, unspoiled character, rolling landscape and productive farmland make this region a treasure,” said Saunders. “The Conservancy has full-time staff focused just on land protection in the Valley, where we’ve conserved over 8,000 acres, and the Laurel Highlands, where we’ve protected almost 80,000 acres.”
The Conservancy intends to sell the Cook Township parcel, with restrictions, to a conservation buyer and would hold a conservation easement on the property. A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a private landowner and WPC that limits future uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.
“The conservation easement on the property will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy its natural beauty,” said Kuzemchak.
Proceeds from the sale of this property would be used to support additional conservation work by WPC in the Ligonier Valley.
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3/7/2011 |
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