Pennsylvania Game News - September 2014 - 45

Future rentals and royalties owed the
Commission will be debited first from
an existing $298,880 royalty credit paid
under previous leases, until this sum
is exhausted and thereafter deposited
directly into the Game Fund.
Surface disturbance will be limited
to a maximum of 30 acres total. Postmining land will be revegetated as
wildlife habitat.
In exchange for the leases, Ladnar
and Wiconisco will convey all but
0.35 acres of their remaining interests
in the surface and subsurface to the
Commission and settle all outstanding
litigation.
Tracts Added to Game Lands
The Board of Game Commissioners
approved the acquisition of two small
parcels adjacent to state game lands.
State Game Lands 333 in Centre
County will grow by about 2½ acres.
The commissioners approved accepting the parcel, which is being donated
by Benner Township. The township
reserves the right to promote passive
recreation on the parcel as described in
the Spring Creek Canyon Master Plan.
Possible uses on this parcel include
wheelchair-accessible parking spaces,
picnic tables and portable restroom
facilities.
The Game Commission will not be
responsible for any expenses relative to
any of these improvements.
Additionally, State Game Lands
80 in Swatara Township, Lebanon
County, will grow by 2.35 acres.
Karen and Richard H. Light have
agreed to sell the parcel, which is adjacent to the existing game lands, for
a lump-sum payment of $2,500. Funds
for the parcel are to be paid with thirdparty commitments for compensation
SEPTEMBER 2014

of habitat and recreational losses that
occurred on game lands due to previously approved projects. The tract is
forested with mixed northern hardwoods.
Commission Redefines 'Hybrid'
The Board of Game Commissioners
voted to change language in the Pennsylvania Code to align with recent
changes to language in federal regulations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
recently amended its definition of the
term "hybrid" to include any crossbred
bird with at least one parent defined as
a migratory bird. The previous definition required both parents to be defined
as migratory birds, and created difficulties given its inconsistency with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's longstanding interpretation that a "hybrid,"
under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act,
could be defined as having one parent
defined as a migratory bird.
The amendment adopted by the
commissioners serves to update the
Pennsylvania Code, which cites the
federal regulations that recently were
amended. The amended term applies
to Chapter 147 (Special Permits) and
Subchapter F (Falconry) of Title 58.
Board Discusses Initiatives
Near the end of its meeting in June,
the Board of Game Commissioners
discussed some new initiatives that are
to be revisited.
Commissioner Brian Hoover, from
Region 8 in southeastern Pennsylvania,
suggested studying the viability and
potential value of creating a permit
that would be required for those who
use state game lands, but who don't
hold a valid hunting or furtaker license.
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Pennsylvania Game News - September 2014

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