04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
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Appalachian Mountain Club: Federal Funds Protect 582 Acres Of PA Highlands
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The Pennsylvania Highlands Coalition and the Appalachian Mountain Club are pleased to join the Berks Conservancy in announcing the preservation of 582 additional acres in the Oley Hills region east of Reading, made possible with $492,750 in federal funds provided through the Highlands Conservation Act.
The Oley Hills is one of the most environmentally valued areas in the Pennsylvania Highlands with six state-recognized Exceptional Value streams, numerous historical structures, forests, and a diversity of wildlife that includes bog turtles and trout.
The recent conservation easement, secured in cooperation with eight landowners, brings the total area of the Oley Hills permanently protected from development to 2,800 acres.
"While we focus our land protection efforts on various natural resources all over Berks County, we are particularly thrilled that the pristine Oley Hills have received the federal attention and funding that is necessary to protect this important land and water resource," said Kim Murphy, President of the Berks Conservancy.
A federal Highlands Conservation Act grant provided $492,750 for the purchase of the Oley Hills property and was matched with $450,000 in state open space funds and a generous donation from the landowners.
Funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Highlands Conservation Act is administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service and advances federal land and water conservation objectives in the critically important, 4-State Highlands Region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund sources its funding from revenues generated from offshore oil and gas drilling leases, rather than taxpayer dollars, to acquire important lands for the public.
Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th) was the primary sponsor of the Highlands Conservation Act, which was enacted in 2004 to provide property owners, private nonprofit organizations and communities a resource to protect natural treasures.
"Each of the partners involved in preserving this land in the Oley Hills deserve credit for their perseverance and for recognizing that the Highlands Conservation Act can be a real catalyst for cooperation," Congressman Jim Gerlach said. "It is extremely gratifying to see the legislation passed in 2004 being used so effectively to protect some of the best sources of drinking water in the Commonwealth and ensure that our children and grandchildren continue to have opportunities for hiking, fishing and enjoying other outdoor recreation activities."
Since 2007, Pennsylvania has received over $2,250,000 of Highlands Conservation Act grants for four projects, two of which have been fully completed. These federal grants have leveraged other sources of funding to protect over 650 acres.
Wendi Weber, Northeast Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added, "I am very pleased that funds awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Highlands Conservation Act have supported the acquisition of conservation easements in the Oley Hills Region. We are proud to be a part of this collaborative land protection project with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Berks Conservancy to help preserve the natural integrity of the Highlands Region."
"Federal conservation funding could not come at a better time for the Highlands Region and the Oley Hills, as threats to drinking water quality and environmental assets mount," said Mark Zakutansky, Mid-Atlantic Policy Manager for the Appalachian Mountain Club and Pennsylvania Highlands Coalition Legislative Committee Chair.
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1/16/2012 |
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