The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week unanimously approved projects funded by State Wildlife Grants, conservation easements and additions to state game lands.

The State Wildlife Grants approved by the Commission will cost a combined $395,107 and include:

2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas: This project is producing a comprehensive database on the distribution of all nesting birds in Pennsylvania. Already in its third year, the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas's last two seasons of field survey will be financed by this funding. The first three years of the project have been very productive and upon completion of the work, this project will generate core data to aid in implementing and refining the Game Commission's Strategic Plan, its Wildlife Action Plan and the future conservation of species of concern. (Powdermill Nature Reserve of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Robert Mulvihill)

Identifying and Predicting High-Quality Habitat in Relation to Allegheny Woodrat Demographic Trends: This project will map high-quality Allegheny woodrat habitat and develop a model that will evaluate the viability of woodrat populations within the Chestnut and Laurel Ridges of the Allegheny Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania. (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Jeff L. Larkin)

Piping Plover Management and Conservation Plan: This project will identify management and conservation strategies beneficial to restoring the federally-endangered piping plover as a nesting species at Presque Isle State Park in Erie County. (Catherine Haffner)

The Commission also approved these conservation easements funded through the federal Landowner Incentive Program:

Protection of Forest and Interim Shrub/Scrub Land of Bald Eagle Ridge: This $104,500 project aims to protect 240 acres of a large forested tract important to breeding forest interior birds through a $104,500 conservation easement. The parcel of relatively unique habitat, also known as Important Bird Area 32, is located near State Game Lands 176 in Centre County and will provide additional protections to breeding forest interior birds. (Clearwater Conservancy)

Forest and Stream Conservation At Roaring Rocks Trust: This $301,000 project will protect through conservation easements about 210 acres and 1.75 miles of waterway that is home to about 10 species of greatest conservation concern and teaming with biodiversity. Found on the Roaring Rocks Trust property in Bucks County, the land is home to 10 avian species of concern and represents a vital area of biodiversity in Roaring Rocks/Swamp Creek watershed. (Tinicum Conservancy)

Critical Shrub/Scrub Land and Vernal Pool Habitat: This $77,500 project provides long-term protection to critical-important spadefoot toad habitat, including shrub/scrubland and vernal pools, by developing a management plan securing a permanent easement, and managing the site. (Berks County Conservancy)

Protection of Dry and Mesic Forest near Lackawaxen: This $314,000 project will protect through a conservation easement 300 acres of unbroken northern hardwood forest in Pike County's Lackawaxen Township. Owned by Hillview Rod and Gun Club, the property is located adjacent to State Game Lands 116 and provides diverse woodland habitats for species of concern such as the wood thrush, broad-wing hawk, black throated green warbler and timber rattlesnake. (Delaware Highlands Conservancy).

Protection of Wet and Upland Forest and Lacustrine Habitats at Minks Pond: This $684,000 project will protect through a conservation easement 300 acres of rolling upland forest, streams, wetlands and ponds on the Mink Pond Club property in Pike County. Adjacent to the Delaware State Forest, the property provides habitat for bald eagles, otters, timber rattlesnakes and forest interior birds. (Delaware Highlands Conservancy)

The Game Commissioners also approved two purchase options that will increase the State Game Lands system by nearly 160 acres:

Williams Township, Dauphin County, the Board approved the purchase of 46.33 acres adjoining SGL 264. The parcel provides improved access to SGL 264, and is comprised mostly of woodland. The Wiconisco Creek runs through the southern portion of the tract.

There are no reservations on the parcel. The purchase price of $18,532 will be paid in lump sum to the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy from monies escrowed from a coal lease on SGL 264 to Ladnar Inc.

West Finley Township, Washington County, the Board approved accepting a donation of a 112-acre indenture on SGL 302 from CNX Gas Company. The parcel contains nearly 82 acres of woodland and about 30 acres of farmland, which is comprised of six tillable acres and 24 acres reverting into early successional forest habitat. The property has a section of Enlow Fork running along the southwest portion of the tract.

CNX has reserved all coal and other minerals with the surface rights necessary to mine and remove the minerals. CNX also reserved its perpetual right to use the surface for extraction of oil, gas and minerals, and has reserved all timber for a period of three years.

10/7/2006