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Opportunities for Partnerships

South Mountain Webinar July 24, 2012

Mission: To protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealths aquatic resources and

provide fishing and boating opportunities

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Types of Acquisition Public Fishing Access and

Conservation Easement

Fee Simple Acquisition

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Public Fishing Access Easements Creates a 35 foot riparian buffer along the stream.

Allows for public access for fishing & non-motorized boating.

Program is most active in Erie and Upper Juniata

watersheds.

Projects in development in Bedford and Warren

Counties.

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Public Fishing Access Easements Compensation: Value is determined by an Appraisal

VPA/HIP funding- Sept. 30 deadline

DCNR funding in Upper Juniata

Watershed with LJRA

Erie Stamp Funding- available in select areas of Erie

County and Crawford County

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Process

Option/Sales Agreement

Commission Approval

Signature Process

Due Diligence Process

Prepare and Circulate Deed

Hold Settlement

12 to 18

months

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Due Diligence Requirements Title Search

Mineral Rights

Rights of WaysMortgages

Other Liens

Environmental Assessment

Review of existing improvements

Roads and Bridges

Buildings

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Public Fishing Access Easements

Advantages for the

Land Trust

Easement may meet publicaccess requirement for

DCNR grants.

Could bring additional

resources to the deal. Opportunity to partner with

PFBC to improve in-stream

habitat.

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Public Fishing Access EasementsAdvantages for the Landowner

Compensation in some areas of the state.

Liability protection under RULWA.

Assistance from Water Conservation Officers.

Improvements to in-stream habitat.

Landowner determines where anglers

access the waterway.

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Will They or Wont They? Location, Location, Location

Priority Watershed

Wild Trout StreamAdjacent to other easements

Due Diligence elements

Ongoing maintenance

Stewardship

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Partnership Examples Little Juniata River Association

DCNR grantee through C2P2

LJRA does landowner outreach

PFBC matches funding & holds easements Western PA Conservancy

PFBC grants funding for acquisition. (Restricted funds)

PFBC receives donated easement.

Projects in the Works

Yellow Creek Coalition, Caldwell Creek TU Chapter

PFBC purchases a public fishing access easement.

Partners do landowner outreach, guide appraiser

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Contact InformationJackie Kramer

Statewide Public Access Program Director

PFBC

P.O. Box 67000

Harrisburg, PA 17106

717-705-7845

jakramer@pa.gov

Access Strategy: www.fishandboat.com/accessplan.htm