The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have announced completion of a land-transfer agreement with Hanson Aggregates BMC Inc. that secures the long-term preservation of Cogley Island, a 10-acre property in the Allegheny River in Armstrong County.
Under the agreement, Hanson transferred the property to the Game Commission as mitigation for potential environmental impacts related to commercial gravel dredging in the Dashields Pool, Montgomery Pool and New Cumberland Pool of the Ohio River.
A fish survey conducted by Hanson found that the proposed project would potentially impact the habitat of two state-threatened fish species.
“ Our foremost goal is always to protect an area’s habitat and to work with companies to find solutions which reduce or offset environmental impacts of a project ,” said Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway. “ Acquiring Cogley Island and permanently preserving its ecosystem was the best option to offset the potential impact of Hanson’s gravel dredging project. The island has excellent conservation value, including the necessary shallow water and shoreline that supports habitat for rare and listed fish and mussel species. ”
The transfer of the 10-acre island to the Game Commission came at no cost to the commission, and was approved unanimously in June by the Pennsylvania Game Board of Commissioners.
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Press Release, January 23, 2014