The Game Commission this week approved a series of land acquisitions, land exchanges and mineral leases at its Board of Directors meeting. A listing of those actions follows--

Migratory Bird Protection in Mercer, Erie Counties: A land exchange/purchase will preserve more than 90 acres of land adjoining State Game Land 314 that provides an important stopover for migratory birds passing over Lake Erie.

In the deal, a land exchange involving three quarters of an acre of abandoned railroad grade on SGL 284 in Springfield Township, Mercer County. In the exchange for the land, Larry and Linda Bruno, of Hermitage, have agreed to provide $4,500 toward the acquisition of 91.5 acres adjacent to SGL 314 in Springfield Township, Erie County.

The Game Commission will pay for the remaining acreage - at $400 per acre - with Game Fund monies. This exchange also must be sanctioned by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service, because the land sought by the Brunos was acquired in part with Land and Water Conservation Fund Act funding.

"This acquisition was advanced initially by the Lake Erie Regional Conservancy, which had planned to acquire the tract with federal and state grants," explained Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. "However, the Conservancy's grant application to the National Scenic Byways Program was not selected. The Conservancy, undeterred, continued to identify conservation partners to help cover funding and approached the Game Commission for assistance in protecting this land.

"The goal is to safeguard this important, but sensitive wildlife habitat. It is already designated as a state Important Bird Area and surely will remain important to wild birds and other fauna long into the future."

Surface Coal Mining in Clearfield County: The Board approved a surface mining coal lease with P&N Coal Company Inc., of Punxsutawney, for 121 acres of SGL 77 in Sandy Township, Clearfield County.

Mining is expected to yield about 79,450 tons of coal. The reclamation work will reclaim about 7,000 linear feet of abandoned high wall, and 28.2 acres of abandoned mine spoil. Work also aims to remedy acid mine discharges into Slab Run, and includes construction of a wetland, and reconstruction of a stream that currently flows through the abandoned strip mine. P&N also will pay for all timber impacted within the reclamation/mining site.

In exchange for the lease, P&N will pay the Game Commission a royalty rate of $2.75 or 12 percent of the current FOB pit price, whichever is greater, for each marketable ton of coal removed from the lease area. P&N also has agreed to provide the Game Commission an advance coal royalty payment of $100,000 upon final execution of the lease and issuance of a mining permit. This money will be used to buy more State Game Lands. The lease has a potential coal royalty value of $218,500.

Oil/Gas Lease, Greene County: An oil/gas lease with Atlas America LLC, of Moon Township, was approved to tap reserves from beneath SGL 223 in Dunkard and Greene townships, Greene County, in exchange for 139 acres of land adjacent to SGL 265, royalties and free natural gas.

The tract to be leased is 2,031 acres. Atlas America controls severed oil and gas rights under about 840 acres on SGL 223, which contains 7,394 acres. The company has already obtained permits to drill several wells on their privately-leased acreage, which when drilled could potentially withdraw some of the Game Commission's oil/gas reserve. Agency staff subsequently negotiated with Atlas America to guarantee its reserve holdings benefited the agency - and ultimately Pennsylvania wildlife - to their fullest potential.

In exchange for the lease, Atlas has agreed to transfer a 139-acre parcel adjacent to SGL 265 in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County. Valued at $900 per acre, the parcel will augment the 380 acres that currently comprise SGL 265. The land will provide public access to the State Game Land from Route 40.

Atlas America will pay the Game Commission $125 per acre of leased land within 60 days after the lease is executed, and a royalty rate of 17 percent per mcf (1,000 cubic feet) of the wellhead price of all gas produced and sold from the lease premises. Atlas America also will unitize three existing wells located within 500 feet of the agency's oil/gas boundary -whether or not on state game lands - and will pay the Game Commission a royalty rate of 17 percent per mcf (1,000 cubic feet) of the wellhead price for all gas produced and sold from the unitized wells. Atlas America also has agreed to provide 400,000 cubic feet of free gas annually to two Food and Cover Corps buildings on SGL 223, as well as necessary equipment.

Land Options in Indiana, Wyoming Counties: The Board approved the acquisition of a 27.56-acre indenture into SGL 153 in Wheatfield Township, Indiana County, for $16,200 from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The property is covered by early successional, mixed hardwood forest and is flanked on three sides by SGL 153, which totals 2,926 acres. Oil, gas and mineral rights to the land have been reserved by a prior reservation held by the Garfield Refractories Company. Acquisition of this tract will lead to a reduction in boundary maintenance.

The Board also accepted the donation of an administrative right-of-way through a property in Forkston Township, Wyoming County, owned by Ron and Janis Hollenbeck of Montrose. The right-of-way will improve agency access to SGL 57's sprawling 44,641 acres. The Hollenbecks have provided this access to improve wildlife habitat on that portion of SGL 57 that abuts their property.

"Through their generosity, the Hollenbecks increased the Game Commission's ability to properly care for SGL 57," said William Capouillez, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management director. Their efforts will further wildlife conservation greatly on this game lands in the future."

4/25/2008