Should PGC buy land for >$400 per acre

[Tigereye]

.https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/outdoors/2025/10/public-land-debate-should-pennsylvania-game-commission-pay-more-than-400-per-acre.html

Interesting discussion.

I can see how poorer counties and townships can be hurt tax wise. However, the selling of land is a business transaction between 2 parties. If the seller agrees to a price below market value, that is not the twps etc concern.

 

[dudemanspecial]

I would love to see who is bankrolling the politicians that are fighting to make it harder for the state to own more land.

 

[bingsbaits]

The PGC just acquired 2,000 acres here in Warren County. Traded a gas well lease under one of their properties in another part of the state for it even up. That will take 2,000 acres from the tax rolls and only receive an "in lieu of taxes" payment from the PGC. Hundreds of acres of prime bottom ground for farming gone. $400 an acre is dirt cheap.

 

[dudemanspecial]

The PGC just acquired 2,000 acres here in Warren County. Traded a gas well lease under one of their properties in another part of the state for it even up. That will take 2,000 acres from the tax rolls and only receive an "in lieu of taxes" payment from the PGC. Hundreds of acres of prime bottom ground for farming gone. $400 an acre is dirt cheap.

Who did they buy it off of? A gas company I assume?

I looked it up. It was traded with Pennsylvania General Energy, an oil and gas company. Were they letting the land be farmed? Was it being farmed prior to them owning it?

 

[ANF-Hiker]

I believe that at least some of that land was owned by a private resort and that Spring Creek was closed for fishing due to it, or at least it was when I lived and worked in that area last.

 

[Nocktavius]

I’d rather see the state forest system buy it up personally, but public beats private any day

 

[bingsbaits]

Was it being farmed prior to them owning it?

Yes the previous owners, Glendorn, let a local farmer farm the fields. And they kept the stream posted. There wasn't much there anyway. Had permission years ago and it was a waste of time to fish. Fall mabee when some of the Browns might migrate up out of Brokenstraw.

 

[ROVERT]

Was it being farmed prior to them owning it?

Yes the previous owners, Glendorn, let a local farmer farm the fields. And they kept the stream posted. There wasn't much there anyway. Had permission years ago and it was a waste of time to fish. Fall mabee when some of the Browns might migrate up out of Brokenstraw.

Is this the property? It looks over 90% wooded. Half or more of the cleared land looks unfarmed from the satellite imagery. I'm guessing the PGC may have just as much of it farmed as there is now.

I don't know what taxes look like in Warren county but the taxes ag land collects is minimal here. Put in clean and green, a 100 acre $4,000,000 farm will pay real estate taxes on about 10% of that. The average mcmansion on half an acre pays more than a 100 acre farm.

 

[PennKev]

Yes the PAGC (or any other similar agency) should be allowed to spend more than $400 an acre on land, because that is what land costs. Good land at least. If you look at some SGL's, they are just big swamps, old gravel pits, etc. If you want quality public land, there can't be restrictions based on outdated land values or restrictions designed to force them to buy only degraded or worthless land. If a good piece of hunting property becomes available and the PAGC wants it, they should be able to buy it at realistic price.

With that in mind, if the game commission is acquiring "good" land with a $400 cap in place, the question becomes why isn't anyone else jumping on the opportunity and offering the seller a better price. If anyone is angry about it, they should be mad at their communities for not being more attractive to agriculture, industry, or just plain old rich people.