Is there a need for more public game land in Warren County?

It’s a good question that deserves more public debate than creation of a new game land in western Warren County was given. In November, the state Game Commission announced the acquisition of 2,195 acres of property that would become State Game Lands 337 in exchange for Pennsylvania General Energy being able to extract oil and gas from beneath state game land in Lycoming County.

There was no public discussion of the purchase before the November announcement, though there have been questions asked since the news broke. The transfer may make the area more accessible to hunters and nature lovers, but the biological diversity won’t change if the property is owned by the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Pennsylvania General Energy.

Now that local governments have questions, the state Game Commission says it can’t answer them until the acquisition is formally completed. That’s a horrible answer that state legislators should work to change during this legislative session.

What is the value of the land? How will its acquisition affect the townships, boroughs and county?

How much land should the game commission own in a particular county, and should the game commission compensate the local governments for lost tax revenue? Is state ownership the best use of this land?

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson was right when he said land deals involving the state have major implications for governments and local residents. The state should have to answer questions before property is acquired, not after. And local officials should probably make sure their concerns over land use are on the record in the form of comprehensive plans and other planning documents so there is guidance when these situations arise.

It may be too late to change the acquisition of land in Spring Creek, but state lawmakers and local officials can certainly start preparing for the next time this situation arises.