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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Pa. fish commission leases waterways to natural-gas drillers for money to fix high-risk dams

In an effort to rebuild its high-risk dams, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is planning "to lease portions of its 43,000 acres of waterways for natural-gas exploration," Richard Gazarik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The commission hopes the move will fill a $36 million budget shortfall.

"The agency needs a revenue source because the commission receives no state funds," Eric Levis, commission spokesman, told Gazarik. "It is supported by license fees and some federal money."

Donegal Lake, a popular trout-fishing area in Donegal Township, will be the first commission property to be drilled. Williams Production Appalachia, a branch of a Tulsa-based energy company, is building a drilling pad on private property near the Donegal Lake awaiting formal approval from the commission, Gazarik reports. (Read more)

"14,000 acres – or about one-third – of the commission's waterways are potential drilling sites," Levis told Gazarik, so in addition to Donegal, the commission has leased property in Clinton County and is is seeking proposals for a Lycoming County site. (Read more)

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