Purchase of 58 acres along Conewago Creek in Adams County will be on the agenda when the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission meets virtually Monday, July 20.
The property along Russel Tavern Road and Zeigler Mill Road in Butler Township is owned by Ortanna-based Knouse Foods, which wants to sell it for $406,000.
The property contains a portion of Conewago Creek that is designated as a Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only. It is stocked with trout by the commission, the McSherrystown and Knouse Foods cooperative fish hatcheries, and the Mummasburg Sportsman's Club.
The Adams County Trout Unlimited Chapter, the Northern Virginia Trout Unlimited Chapter and other local interests are concerned about the future of public fishing access if the property is sold, and have partnered with the Land Conservancy of Adams County Inc. to acquire it.
The conservancy plans to buy the property and transfer ownership to the commission, has entered into an option agreement with Knouse, and applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for half of the acquisition costs ($220,578).
The conservancy will provide $120,578, and Adams County Trout Unlimited Chapter will contribute $16,000. The conservancy has requested a grant of $84,000 from the commission to complete the acquisition.
When the conservancy acquires the property, it will convey fee title to the property to the commission.
The commission’s quarterly meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Monday.
Due to the continued public health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting will be held online, with commissioners and staff participating remotely.
The public may view a live stream of the meeting by visiting https://www.facebook.com/PaFishandBoat.
A complete copy of the meeting schedule and the full agenda for the meeting can be found on the commission’s website.