2005 News

October 19, 2005
Commissioners Add Farms and Open Space in Plumstead, Springfield and Tinicum

The Bucks County Commissioners added 167 acres to the county's inventory of preserved farms and open space with conservation easements to farm families in Plumstead and Springfield townships, and a conservation easement grant to the Tinicum Conservancy in Tinicum Township.

The resolutions were approved at the commissioner's bimonthly meeting, held today at the Churchville Nature Center in Churchville.

The Bucks County Agricultural Preservation Program spearheaded a conservation easement on 27 acres of farmland, owned by Elizabeth Haring in Plumstead Township. The farm is contiguous to 212.6 acres previously preserved by the township. This will be the 13th farm preserved by the county in Plumstead Township.

The county contribution to the easement cost is 11.3 percent, or $40,731, with Plumstead Township paying 88.68 percent or $319,817.65.

Also preserved was the Freeh farm, 94 acres on six separate parcels in Springfield Township. The Freeh property lies between two farms that are preserved, and within two miles of four other preserved farms. Cooks Creek, a high priority natural area, runs through the property and is protected by the family with fencing and riparian herbaceous cover. This will be the 6th farm preserved by the county in Springfield Township.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will contribute $509,777.82 with the county paying $339,851.88.

A Natural Areas Program grant was issued to the Tinicum Conservancy for their preservation of the Trauger property in Tinicum Township. The 46-acre property, located along the Tohickon Creek on E. Dark Hollow Road, is identified as a Priority 1 site in the Bucks County Natural Areas Inventory. Surveys by the Bucks County Audubon Society reveal that the creek valley is home to over 80 bird species including 10 rare breeder and four species of special concern in Bucks County.

The requested county share of $129,080 equals 50 percent of the average easement value of $258,160. The remaining half will be met through a 25 percent contribution from Tinicum Township of $64,540 and a 25 percent bargain sale offered by the Trauger family of $64,540.