The deed for 423 acres of prime watershed, agricultural and forestland in Centre County is being transferred from the ClearWater Conservancy to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The land will be added to Rothrock State Forest.

“By conserving this land, we are protecting much more than trees and open space,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said this week at a ceremony set against a backdrop of expansive woodlands. “These 423 acres will help protect groundwater recharge, important bird and wildlife habitat and improve access to Rothrock State Forest for hikers and bikers.”

To acquire the land from a private owner who planned to develop it, the state invested about $1.5 million of Growing Greener II and Keystone funding. Additional support came from the State College Borough Water Authority; Ferguson, College, Harris, Halfmoon and Patton townships; State College Borough; and several other sources. ClearWater Conservancy facilitated the purchase with financing assistance from Omega Bank.

“Musser Gap is part of a noted flyway for raptors, such as golden eagles and hawks, and is a nesting spot for Neotropical migratory birds,” said Secretary DiBerardinis. “As an added benefit, this land will provide new access to the existing trail systems in Rothrock State Forest for people interested in bird watching, hiking, biking, horseback riding and hunting.”

Musser Gap is a mountain gap on Tussey Ridge between Shingleton Gap and Pine Grove Mills. The gap recharges the groundwater in the vicinity of the well fields that supply drinking water to 38,000 residents in the State College area.

“Our community’s identity is closely linked with open valleys cradled by forested ridges that provide the backdrop to our lives,” said ClearWater Conservancy Executive Director, Jennifer Shuey. “By protecting this part of the Tussey Mountain viewscape, we hold onto a piece of what makes central Pennsylvania such a beautiful place to live.”

“This is a terrific example of the ClearWater Conservancy, state and local governments and non-profit organizations working together to conserve something of great value to nearby communities, and we congratulate them on their success and thank them for their hard work on this project,” Secretary DiBerardinis said.

With this recent addition, Rothrock State Forest now encompasses about 80,000 acres in parts of Centre, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties.

In 1903, the forested area now known as Rothrock State Forest was virtually stripped bare of trees to provide wood to make charcoal for the iron furnaces located at Greenwood Furnace in Huntingdon County. Today it is managed to provide recreational opportunities for thousands of visitors each year while making a significant contribution to Pennsylvania’s economy with its high quality timber production.

9/7/2007