State Plans to Sell Pleasant Gap Holding

HARRISBURG – The state House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation this week that would allow the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to auction 3.59 acres it owns near the Pleasant Gap State Fish Hatchery in Benner Township, according to Rep. Mike Hanna (D-76).

Hanna said the property dates to when the PFBC was required to house its hatchery managers and foremen on-site. The property, which is expected to be auctioned this year, housed hatchery managers at Pleasant Gap.

“Because technology has eliminated the need for managers to live on-site, and because the cost of remodeling the structure would exceed the benefits of its use, the commission decided that selling the property was a better alternative,” said Hanna.

Because the property was acquired through the Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act of 1964, which authorized the commonwealth to issue bonds for use by municipalities for the purchase of land for parks and public recreational use, the General Assembly must pass legislation allowing the land to be used for other purposes.

All proceeds from the sale of the property will be deposited in a restricted revenue account within the Fish Fund and used to acquire other land meeting Project 70 standards.

The property was appraised for $170,000 but the actual sale price will likely be lower because reasonable deed restrictions will be placed on the property to protect the hatchery’s interest. The PFBC expects to offer it via a sealed publicly advertised bid with a bid opening this year.