HARRISBURG (TNS) — Landowners willing to allow public access to fishing on their properties for a price are being sought by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The commission is offering one-time payments to those landowners for granting public fishing and habitat improvement easements.

Payment amounts will be based on factors including amount of stream frontage and value of the fishery.

For example, the commission used a 2010 grant from the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program to purchase several easements along the Little Juniata River in Huntingdon County and Caldwell Creek in Warren County. One of the easements along the Little Juniata River provided 7,336 linear feet of public access, a parking trail and a foot trail easement for $102,900 paid to the owner.

The commission noted that landowners taking advantage of the program “contribute to fishing access opportunities in their own communities while still retaining ownership and control of the land.”

Agreements through the program are voluntary and permanent legal contracts between the landowner and the commission. They provide a corridor along a stream that allows the public to wade in and walk along the stream bank for the purpose of fishing.

Entering into the agreement preserves landowner rights and provides additional benefits. Landowners may still use the property for other activities, and they may limit public access for other purposes such as camping or hunting.

Funding for the recently announced effort also is provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program.

Interested landowners can learn more at the commission website or by contacting Scott Bollinger at (717) 346-8196 or scbollinge@pa.gov.