U.S. Water News Online
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Thousands of acres of prime watershed and forest land in northeastern Pennsylvania, known as the Theta Lands, are being protected with an agreement signed recently by officials from Luzerne County and The Conservation Fund.
"This is a landmark day for land conservation in northeastern Pennsylvania," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "For decades, these lands were managed by a water company for watershed protection purposes. That ownership provided significant protection of the water supply in that region as well as habitat for many species. Public ownership of these lands will continue that needed protection, while allowing for timber management and public outdoor recreation."
At the meeting in Wilkes-Barre, county commissioners approved $4 million for the acquisition of four tracts in Luzerne and Lackawana counties, totaling more than 7,000 acres, from the Theta Lands Corp. A $1 million grant from DCNR is expected early next year to complete the deal. Luzerne County will acquire almost 5,000 acres of the Arbutus Peak Oak Barrens and two parcels near Nescopeck State Park from The Conservation Fund.
The county and DCNR have had preliminary discussions about a joint management agreement for the Barrens property. The Conservation Fund will transfer the remaining acreage -- more than 2,000 acres in Lackawanna County known as the Watres property -- to DCNR for inclusion in its Lackawanna State Forest. The Conservation Fund expects to transfer the land in Spring 2004.
"This project represents a lot of work over a long period of time, and I am pleased we reached an agreement before the end of the year," said Luzerne County Commissioner Thomas A. Makowski. "I believe the people of northeastern Pennsylvania will realize this was clearly one of the most important environmental endeavors in which the county has ever been a participant."
The Barrens was identified as one of the priority sites for preservation in Luzerne County for its watershed attribute and critical habitation in the Lackawana Bi-County Open Space, Greenway and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan. The area was also listed on the Natural Areas Inventory as one of the richest barrens for butterflies and moths in the Northeast.
"Thanks to the leadership of Luzerne County, support of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and commitment of the Theta Lands Corp., we are protecting critical wildlife habitat and expanding important recreational lands," said Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund. "This public-private partnership demonstrates the extraordinary results that can be achieved when corporations and public agencies work together to find balanced conservation solutions."
This acquisition represents the latest Conservation Fund and DCNR project protecting important watershed lands in Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, the Fund worked with the state to acquire and protect more than 9,000 acres of prime woodlands in Columbia and Northumberland counties from Pennsylvania Suburban Water Company.
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