DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Proposed Exchange of Property and Boundary Compromise Agreement [45 Pa.B. 7177]
[Saturday, December 19, 2015]The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department), acting through the Bureau of Forestry, and the Granville Hunting Club are proposing to negotiate an exchange of property interests in Mifflin County and Juniata County.
A warrant vacancy had been known to exist for many years between two tracts of State Forest Land on the south side of Blue Mountain in Juniata County. When surveyors from the Bureau of Land Records looked into the situation further they found that the vacancy extended over the mountain into Mifflin County. The situation is complex, but the Granville Hunting Club thought they had clear title to part of the vacancy and also to lands claimed by the Commonwealth since 1930. Furthermore, their lands have been encroached upon by many other owners on the other side, thus shifting it from where it should be. The deed overlap with the Commonwealth occurs on the ridgetop of Blue Mountain. The proposed compromise agreement would resolve the deed overlap in favor of the Commonwealth; the existing boundary would be honored. Most of the vacancy, near Minehart Run, would go to the Granville Hunting Club (110.44 acres). The Commonwealth would acquire a portion of the vacancy in Licking Creek, on the south side of Blue Mountain and also on the north slope of the front mountain, near Granville (+117.86 acres total to the Commonwealth). The Licking Creek vacancy is key because it joins two parts of the Tuscarora State Forest and includes most of the Vincent Tram road in that area.
As is the policy of the Department, the public is notified of this exchange and boundary compromise agreement. A 30-day period for public inquiry or comment, or both, will be in effect beginning December 26, 2015, and ending January 24, 2016. Oral or written comments or questions concerning this proposed exchange may be addressed to Ryan Szuch, Planning Section, Bureau of Forestry, P. O. Box 8552, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552, (717) 787-2980, rszuch@pa.gov. Oral or written comments will become part of the official document used in the final decision process. Written documents are also available regarding the proposed land exchange by request.
If, in the duration of the 30-day comment period, a significant amount of public concern develops, the Secretary of the Department may schedule a public informational meeting.
CINDY ADAMS DUNN,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-2225. Filed for public inspection December 18, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
