MUNDYS CORNER — Outdoors lovers now have a larger area for recreation thanks to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
The nonprofit group has paid $2.34 million for a 975-acre tract of land on Laurel Ridge in Jackson Township south of Route 22 at the Indiana County line, conservancy officials said Friday.
The January transaction between the conservancy and owner Richard Myers involves a rolling and relatively flat tract of wooded area on Rager Mountain, said Mike Kuzemchak, Laurel Highlands project director for the organization.
“It is adjacent to the Gallitzin State Forest,” Kuzemchak said.
“We’re trying to connect existing parcels of forest.”
The Rager Mountain acquisition, which has already been turned over to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, connects to one section of the 22,592-acre forest and is in close proximity to a second section.
An added bonus is that the tract is in the watershed feeding the Conemaugh River. State ownership means it will remain free of development and aid in protecting water resources, Kuzemchak said.
Money for the purchase, known as the Leslie Tract, came primarily from private foundations with some help from the state, said Tom Saunders, the conservancy’s president and chief operating officer.
“We are coordinating more closely with the state since money is more leaner,” Saunders said.
The conservancy’s involvement in the Cambria-Somerset region includes sponsoring annual flower plantings near the Route 56 ramps at Bedford Street in Johnstown. A number of civic groups also are involved in that project.
Water quality remains a priority for the group as it works with the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy and the Stonycreek Conemaugh River Improvement Project to clean up streams and rivers polluted with acid mine drainage.
Kuzemchak said the effort will take years to complete.
“I’ve seen huge improvements to water quality,” he said.
Local News
Purchase expands forest space
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
