Pennsylvania Game News - January 2009 - 20

• Completed lead remediation at 14 shooting ranges • Completed the safety and facility upgrade projects at six shooting ranges The Board of Commissioners approved eight leasing actions during 2007-08. Four of these approved actions were oil/gas development leases, which garnered a total bonus value of $5,786,125 and enabled the Com2007-08 mission to acquire a total of 6,663 acres to be used for the benefit of wildlife and sportsmen. The Commission also approved four coal mining leases, which include the reclamation of approximately 7,600 linear feet of abandoned highwalls, the reclamation of approximately 28.2 acres of abandoned mine spoils, and daylighting of 15.3 acres of abandoned underground mine workings. The Oil/Gas and Mineral Development Section reviewed and coordinated with field personnel and industry a total of 246 oil or gas well locations on State Game Lands during 2007-08. Total revenues generated oil/gas and mineral recovery operations were $3,150,992.81. The Oil/Gas and Mineral Recovery Section currently manages 46 different companies operating a total of 93 lease agreements on 51 State Game Lands. The Oil/Gas & Mineral Development Section developed a new oil/gas and mineral revenue tracking system which has enhanced reporting capabilities on revenues generated through the oil/gas and mineral section. The enhancements include documentation of royalties and production data on each individual gas well, oil well, or mining permit on a monthly basis. This database was implemented July 1, 2008, for 2008-09 fiscal year. A total of 540 mineral parcels (more than 330,000 acres) distributed among 50 different game lands complexes were created in our GIS database during 2007-08. Our oil, gas, coal and mineral ownership was also researched and/or added to that database for 421 of those mineral parcels. A total of 87 mineral lease boundaries were created in our GIS database in 2007-08. A total of 2,675 well locations on State Game Lands, including their associated well attribute data, were also added to, or updated in, the GIS database. Creek Visitor Center Expand and improve communication, education and outreach for public awareness and understanding of wildlife resource management. During this past year, 721 basic Hunter-Trapper Education (HTE) classes were conducted across the state. These classes produced 30,637 new students, who are now ready to join the ranks of Pennsylvania’s existing hunters and trappers. The primary goal of this training is to produce safe, responsible, knowledgeable and involved hunters and trappers. The second wave of classes transitioned to the new HTE curriculum in 2008. This wave comprises another third of the state, bringing the total number of counties that are teaching this new curriculum to 54. The new curriculum strives to meet national standards for basic hunter training as established by the International Hunter Educa20 GAME NEWS

Pennsylvania Game News - January 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - January 2009