Press release published in Times Leader on 21 May 2025
The Huntsville Reservoir in Dallas Borough and Lehman Twp. Courtesy of Fred Valentine via North Branch Land Trust
The North Branch Land Trust, collaborating with Pennsylvania American Water, completed a conservation easement on approximately 220 acres on the Huntsville Reservoir in Dallas Borough and Lehman Township in Luzerne County.
The easement provides a buffer, protects habitat and preserves the natural beauty of the area, while providing limited improvements of nature trails for public access for walking and hiking.
The project has been developing since 2022 when North Branch Land Trust received funding to purchase the conservation easement through a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
“The Huntsville Reservoir easement is a spectacular addition to existing conserved lands in the region,” said Executive Director Ellen Ferretti. “Conserving the conifer forest and wetland along the northern, upstream portion of the Huntsville Reservoir protects this land that acts as a buffer around the reservoir, enhances the quality of the fresh water we drink and reduces the risks of soil erosion, runoff pollution, and regional flooding. The community values the beauty and significance of the reservoir and North Branch Land Trust is thrilled to conserve this resource. We thank Pennsylvania American Water for their partnership and contributions to make this conservation project a reality.”
The easement aligns with North Branch Land Trust’s mission of partnering with landowners, communities and stakeholders to conserve and care for Northeastern Pennsylvania’s lands and waters.
“Pennsylvania American Water is committed to being a steward of our environment and protecting our watersheds,” said Justin Ladner, president, Pennsylvania American Water. “Preserving this land through our partnership with North Branch Land Trust not only supports our company’s mission to provide safe, clean drinking water, but also guarantees that future generations will continue to benefit from access to and conservation of the natural beauty of this local greenspace.”
A public access area, located off Reservoir Road, will provide limited access to the northwest section of the Huntsville Reservoir, for outdoor recreation and environmental education. The natural trails will not be visible from public roads or private homes.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation provided financial assistance for this project with funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
“The North Branch Land Trust is a leader in preserving crucial land and water resources,” said state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township. “I have always viewed this kind of project as improving the quality of life and consistent with the founding principles of Penn’s Woods. Protecting this property from future development will greatly enhance regional recreation opportunities and ensure safe and clean drinking water for Wyoming Valley residents for generations to come.”
State Rep. Jamie Walsh, whose 117th Legislative District includes both Dallas Borough and Lehman Township offered this statement: “North Branch Land Trust’s easement project has been a critical undertaking that will preserve about 220 acres of buffer land, which serves as a high-quality water source for 14 municipalities. I appreciated the opportunity to support this project, which will keep the Huntsville Reservoir clean, while maintaining the vast natural beauty of the area for current and future generations of residents and nature enthusiasts alike.”
About North Branch Land Trust
The mission of North Branch Land Trust is to conserve the natural, working, and scenic landscapes in Northeastern Pennsylvania that enrich our lives.
We are a private not for profit land conservation organization focused on identifying and conserving important watershed lands, agricultural lands, woodlands, scenic lands, and critical habitat for plants and animals in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Land Trust currently operates in eight Northeastern Pennsylvania counties and focuses on the watersheds of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Our conservation efforts are for charitable and educational intentions exclusively. We believe it is vital to be professional, fair, and accountable in all our activities as a non-profit community organization. We are committed to build and sustain an organization that can provide conservation opportunities and stewardship in perpetuity.
We are a regional organization with a regional perspective. We believe that pristine natural assets provide important ecological, economic, educational, recreational, and spiritual benefits to the citizens of our region. We work pro-actively and collaboratively to conserve these resources throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.