PPL’s Holtwood hydroelectric plant recently transferred nearly 300 acres of land to the Lancaster County Conservancy for long-term preservation.

The land is adjacent to Pinnacle Overlook, which offers views of the Susquehanna River and surrounding Lancaster and York counties. It includes Kelly’s Run, which offers miles of hiking trails for public recreation.

“We’ve long appreciated the lower Susquehanna’s natural beauty, and we’re pleased to be able to support a public-private initiative to protect this land for generations to come,” said Dave Fuge, manager of PPL Holtwood.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in December granted PPL Holtwood’s request to transfer up to 1,260 acres of land to LCC. The lands near Pinnacle Overlook were the first to change hands. The company expects to transfer ownership of additional properties over the next year, including the Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve and the actual Pinnacle Overlook itself.

Once Pinnacle Overlook belongs to LCC, it will be part of about 100 acres that LCC will transfer to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to be included in Susquehannock State Park.

The land transfers from PPL to LCC support a regional initiative to conserve a greenway corridor of river lands, known as the Susquehanna Riverlands, along the lower Susquehanna River. That initiative has received broad support from federal, state and local agencies.

Grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the counties and private donors are being used to purchase the land. PPL Holtwood is then donating all proceeds from the sales to a restricted endowment fund that will be used to manage the greenway.

“The Lancaster County Conservancy is grateful to PPL, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Conservation Fund, Lancaster County and York County for their continued commitment to permanently preserving this scenic and historic landscape through transfer to the Conservancy of Pinnacle Overlook and Kelly’s Run,” said Kate Gonick, director of Land Protection.

Patrick F. Noonan, chairman emeritus of The Conservation Fund, added, "The Conservation Fund is pleased to continue its leadership role in collaboration with its many partners, including the Lancaster County Conservancy and the Chesapeake Conservancy, to conserve magnificent landscapes of scenic and historic importance along the Susquehanna River corridor within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. We take great pride in the realization that these lands are located along the new John Smith National Historic Water Trail, the first National Historic Water Trail in our nation."

Future questions from the public about use of the land near Pinnacle should be directed to LCC at 717-392-7891.

11/4/2013