The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved land acquisitions totaling nearly 1,990 acres.

Most of that total stems from the acquisition of several tracts in Luzerne County that would add a combined 1,980 acres to State Game Lands 91 and 207. The tracts are in Jenkins, Plains, Bear Creek and Hanover townships.

The land would be purchased from The Conservation Fund, either for a lump-sum payment of $2,574,000, or in a series of phased closings with an initial payment of $858,000 followed by a second installment of $909,480 and a third and final installment of $883,740.

Installment payments could either be paid in cash, or the Game Commission could choose to exchange timber from other State Game Land tracts in lieu of payment, according to the agreement.

If the installment option is selected, the agreement allows the transfer and sale of an undivided one-third interest of the property per annual payment until the entire property has been transferred to the commission.

All timber assets on the tracts to be acquired have been previously reserved by Deer Park Lumber Inc. until Aug. 1, 2028, and all oil and gas on the tracts would be reserved by Theta Land Corp. until Aug. 1 2055.

The property is mainly forested with mixed oak, maple, ash, and cherry with minimal forest openings. Cold-water fisheries including Gardner Creek, Warden Run, and Mill Creek are located on the property.

Access is through existing State Game Lands 91 and Bald Mountain Road. The two small, detached parcels are located west of State Game Lands 207 and west of Interstate 81.

Additionally, the Board of Commissioners today approved the following properties for purchase:

A 3.06-acre property in Moore Township, Northampton County adjacent to State Game Lands 168. The option price is $8,000 lump sum to be paid with funds from the Game Fund. The tract is mostly forested with mixed oak, poplar, black gum, birch and red maple. The property will connect two parcels of State Game Lands 168 by joining a detached parcel to the main portion of State Game Lands 168. The property will provide critical access into a portion of State Game Lands 168 that has had limited access. Access is through existing State Game Lands 168 from Smith Gap Road. The property is being offered for sale by Betty Jane Bellas.

A 2.32-acre tract in Lehigh Township, Northampton County, that also is adjacent to State Game Lands 168. The option price is $5,000 lump sum to be paid with funds from the Game Fund. The tract is mostly forested with mixed oak, poplar, black gum, birch and red maple. The property will connect two parcels of State Game Lands 168 by joining a detached parcel to the main portion of the game lands. The property will provide critical access into a portion of State Game Lands 168 that has limited access. Access is through existing State Game Lands 168 from Timberline Road. The property is being offered for sale by Kenneth S. Walter.

A quarter-acre property in Benezette Township, Elk County, adjacent to State Game Lands 311. The option price is $1,500 lump sum to be paid with funds from third-party commitments for compensation of habitat and recreational losses that occurred on state game lands from previously approved projects. The tract is planted in cool season grasses and mowed periodically. The property is accessed from Winslow Hill Road. It is being offered for sale by Anthony W. Gelotti.

A 3.35-acre tract in Washington Township, Lehigh County that adjoins State Game Lands 217. Nancy F. Becker is offering to donate this tract. The property is forested with mixed oaks and has a spring seep located on the northwest edge of the property. The tract is accessed from State Game Lands 217.

Energy leases to add more than $1.5 million to Game Fund

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved two energy leases that would result in more than $1.5 million being added to the Game Fund.

Inflection Energy LLC, of Denver, Colo. has requested the Game Commission offer its oil and gas rights under Loysalsock Game Farm for non-surface use development. The proposed tract, containing approximately 389.15 acres, is located in Loyalsock Township, Lycoming County.

Inflection has a strong privately owned oil/gas lease position surrounding the Loyalsock Game Farm, and has initiated unconventional well drilling and development in the vicinity of the proposed tract. Inflection has the ability to develop the commission’s oil and gas reserve under the proposed tract by horizontal drilling with no surface use or disturbance to the game farm property.

Game Commission staff has negotiated the proposed agreement in an effort to prudently develop the commission’s oil and gas reserves, while simultaneously protecting the wildlife resources and pheasant production at the Loyalsock Game Farm.

The terms of the agreement are a five-year non-surface use oil and gas agreement, a $4,000 per net oil and gas acre bonus payment and 20 percent royalty for all oil, gas and other liquids or condensates produced and sold from the proposed tract.

The bonus payment of approximately $1,556,600 shall be deposited into the Game Fund. Future rentals and royalties owed the commission shall also be deposited into the Game Fund.

Oil and gas development will be regulated by the Commonwealth’s oil and gas regulations and the commission’s standard restricted surface use oil and gas cooperative agreement.

Additionally, the commissioners approved a lease agreement with Anadarko Onshore E&P LLC, of Williamsport, which has requested the commission offer its oil and gas rights under State Game Lands 133 for non-surface use development.

The proposed tract, containing approximately 10.7 acres, is located in Gamble Township, Lycoming County.

Anadarko has a strong privately owned oil/gas lease position surrounding the southeastern portion of State Game Lands 133, and has initiated unconventional well drilling and development activity in the vicinity of the proposed tract. Anadarko also has the ability to develop the commission’s oil and gas reserves under the proposed tract by horizontal drilling with no surface use or disturbance to the game lands.

Game Commission staff has negotiated the proposed terms of the agreement with Anadarko in an effort to prudently develop the Commission’s oil/gas reserve, as well as to simultaneously protect the wildlife resources and recreational use of State Game Lands 133.

The terms of the agreement are a five-year non-surface use oil and gas agreement, a $2,000 per net oil and gas acre bonus payment and 18 percent royalty for all oil, gas and other liquids or condensates produced and sold from the proposed tract.

The bonus payment of approximately $21,400 shall be deposited into the Game Fund. Future rentals and royalties owed the commission shall also be deposited into the Game Fund.

Oil and gas development will be regulated by the Commonwealth’s oil and gas regulations and the Commission’s standard restricted surface use oil and gas cooperative agreement.