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857-Acre Beaver Run Hunting & Fishing Club Permanently Protected

DCNR joined the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and Beaver Run Hunting and Fishing Club in celebrating the protection of the club’s 857-acre, natural resource-rich property in southern Pike County.

With funds from DCNR, Pike County’s Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program and the Common Waters Fund, the Beaver Run property in Porter Township now is protected with a conservation easement held by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Protecting the Beaver Run property has been a model of cooperative effort among the private club, the nonprofit Delaware Highlands Conservancy and county and state agencies, the Pike County Commissioners, the Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program and DCNR.

"DCNR is excited about the permanent protection of this important property,” said DCNR Secretary Richard Allan. “DCNR is one among many partners who came to the table to provide the funding and do the legwork necessary to assure these 857 acres and all its natural assets are conserved."

The secretary noted conservation easement on the property “provides for public trails and the protection of wetlands and clean water sources important to millions of people.”

“The effective use of tax dollars through county funds and state grants like the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund enabled the protection of the property,” Allan said. “The work of all the organizations involved along with the Club demonstrates how this kind of public-private partnership is good for all Pennsylvanians.”

The Beaver Run property, made up of healthy forests and exceptionally clean waters, is home to native brook trout, eagles, beaver, otters, and other wildlife. The water on the property, like Bushkill Creek, is filtered by its forests and eventually reaches the Delaware River, the clean water source for millions of people in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

“We thank DCNR and Pike County,” said Conservancy Board President Greg Belcamino, “for working together with us and the Club to protect the important natural assets of the Beaver Run property. This project represents the best in conservation. Protecting Beaver Run has benefits far beyond its borders.

“The property is adjacent to state forestlands, so its protection creates a contiguous block of forest great for wildlife and biodiversity, and water quality. Along with club members who will keep their lands conserved for future generations, the whole community benefits.”

The three public trails that will cross the protected property connect adjacent blocks of the Delaware State Forest. The public trails make previously difficult to reach parts of the state forest much more easily accessible to all visitors, residents, and outdoor recreational enthusiasts visiting state forestlands. Protecting the property preserves the scenic beauty, enhancing Delaware State Forest’s extensive trail system and providing great outdoor recreational opportunities for residents.

Sally Corrigan, director of the Pike County Office of Community Planning, noted this project is an exemplary one for the Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program.

“Contributing preservation program funds to protect the Beaver Run property benefits all Pike County residents,” Corrigan said. “The creation of a contiguous forested block and public access trails that enhance both ecological and outdoor recreational benefits for Pike County residents is excellent use of the Preservation Program funds meant to assure that Pike County maintains its scenic rural character.”

The Beaver Run Hunting and Fishing Club has been in existence since 1895 and has a rich tradition of conservation and stewardship, including a notable visit by Gifford Pinchot early in the 20th century. Club President Jim Pastva is proud of the club’s history and long-term commitment to good stewardship.

“We’re excited about the permanent protection of our property,” said Pastva. “We have always been good stewards of our land, and we’re proud of the fact that we’ve taken this step to permanently protect all of the important natural assets here.”

The December 10 ribbon cutting to announce the property’s protection was held at the property and attended by representatives of the club and all the partners who participated in the project. Trail building activities for the public trails will take place in early 2013.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy works with landowners and communities to protect the healthy lands, clean waters, and locally sustainable economies of the Upper Delaware River region. For more information on the protection of the Beaver Run property, conservation easements, or any of the conservancy’s activities, call 570-226-3164, 845-583-1010, or send email to: info@delawarehighlands.org.  Also, visit the Delaware Highlands Conservancy website.

Pike County’s Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program provides for the protection of drinking water; wildlife habitat; preservation of scenic ridges and critical open space; protection of water quality of rivers, lakes and streams; parks and recreational areas; improved county and municipal planning; and related acquisitions of real property or interests therein from willing sellers on a voluntary basis.

The program also provides education, outreach and the provision of funds for such purposes. For more information, visit the Pike County website, send email to: planning@pikepa.org; or call 570-296-3500.

The Common Waters Fund helps forest landowners in the Upper Delaware River Watershed improve the management of and conserve their private forest lands. For more information, send email to: info@commonwaters.org or call 202-797-6530.

(Reprinted from the Dec. 19 issue of DCNR’s Resource newsletter.)


12/24/2012

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