Pennsylvania Game News - March 2009 - 38

data about participation in the program will be gathered. New this year is that mentors will need to obtain a permit for each youth they plan to take hunting. The permit, obtainable from any issuing agent, will include official big game tags for antlered deer and spring gobblers. The permit will cost $1, which goes to the Game Commission, plus any issuing agent or vendor fees. “When we started the MYHP we didn’t require a permit because there was no easy method to issue one,” said Carl G. Roe. “With our new license sale system ready, we have a reasonable method for adult mentors to obtain youth permits. “By implementing the permit, we will be able to gather important data that can be used, among other ways, to better plan and schedule HTE courses.” Deep-mining lease near Latrobe approved The Board approved a 25-year lease with the Kingston Coal Company of Wexford to deep-mine the agency’s holdings in the Freeport coal seam — an estimated seven million tons — from a 1,500-acre coal reserve deeded in 1969 to the agency as a gift from the Loyalhanna Coal and Coke Company. Lease royalty payments paid to the Commission will be 6 percent of the selling price from each ton of coal removed. Land exchange approved The Board approved a land exchange with the New Shawmut Timber Company of Kane that will convey to the agency 376 acres in Elk County in exchange for a 10-year extension on an existing 10-year timber reservation on 4,968 acres in Horton Township. The company had previously conveyed the 4,968-acre tract to the agency, in addition to a 1,555-acre tract. The land being transferred is 38 adjacent to the 1,555-acre tract. Settlement nets agency 1,100 acres in Monroe County The Board approved accepting a 1,100-acre tract in Ross and Eldred townships, Monroe County, as the Game Commission’s portion of an anticipated settlement in a Natural Resources Damage Assessment case filed against CBS for the Palmerton Zinc Superfund Site in Carbon, Northampton and Monroe counties. The Game Commission is a participating Trustee, along with other state and federal agencies. When final settlement is reached, the property transfer would fully compensate the agency as the Commonwealth’s Trustee of damages incurred to wildlife habitat and State Game Lands within the area of the former zinc smelting facility. 397-Acre addition to SGL 317 approved The Board approved the acquisition of a 397-acre tract in Union County from Gerald L. Shoop of Milton. More than 350 acres is agricultural fields and it is near SGL 317. The land was purchased using funds held in escrow from a land exchange on SGL 176 with Penn State. Board takes action on other wildlife habitat management items In other action the Board: • Approved the donation of several building lots totaling 1.4 acres in Luzerne County from Grace Ruckle of Shickshinny. The land adjoins SGL 260, is wooded, and its transfer will further protect SGL 260 from border development; • Approved a surface-mining coal lease with the Fisher Mining Company, Montoursville, to conduct mining on 254 acres of SGL 75 in Lycoming County. Mining will occur on about 185 acres. As part of the reclamation plan, Fisher will create at GAME NEWS

Pennsylvania Game News - March 2009

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