Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials Thursday announced the department has received the deed for about 825 acres of prime watershed and forestland in Lackawanna County to add to the state forest system.

“These lands will help protect our air, clean water, numerous species and provide opportunities for tremendous outdoor experiences for our citizens,” DCNR Acting Secretary Ellen Ferretti said.

The state invested $1.2 million of Growing Greener II funding to acquire the land. The Conservation Fund facilitated the purchase.

The land will be added to Lackawanna State Forest for protection of the Spring Brook watershed, creation of public access for additional recreation and sustainable management of the forest resources for future forest products.

"The conservation of these lands represents an important addition to the Lackawanna State Forest and will help protect the drinking water supply for thousands of local residents," said Todd McNew, Pennsylvania state director of The Conservation Fund.  "Over the last decade, we are proud to have assisted DCNR in adding nearly 20,000 additional acres of forest, barrens and wetlands to the Lackawanna State Forest."

The Spring Brook Township property is connected to the larger Thornhurst Tract of the Lackawanna State Forest. The Ash Gap Road provides access into this new parcel, as well as the Mash swamp area.

“These parcels protect highly diverse ecological habitats, including the headwaters of Spring Brook, which is a wild trout waterway, as well as a great connector to our existing forestry lands in the county,” Ferretti said. “Following substantial public input, these lands were identified as a priority for protection in the Lackawanna and Luzerne Open Space, Greenways and Outdoor Recreation Plan.”

With this recent addition, Lackawanna State Forest encompasses more than 32,000 acres in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Monroe counties.

For more information about Lackawanna or any of Pennsylvania’s 20 state forest districts, visit DCNR’s State Forest webpage.

11/25/2013