News Release

COLUMBUS, OH - The State Controlling Board on Monday approved the release of funds to allow the Ohio Division of Wildlife to acquire 1,080 acres of land in Ashtabula County from the LTV Steel Company, Inc.

The property is located between Kyle Road and Tower Road in Dorset Township, approximately six miles west of Pymatuning Lake. The Division of Wildlife says it expects to complete the $1.2 million land purchase by June 1. Some of the funding for the purchase comes from donations made by the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, and the Ruffed Grouse Society. These organizations also made substantial contributions toward the purchases of the Woodbury, Tri-Valley, and Egypt Valley wildlife areas, and wildlife management projects on the Crown City Wildlife Area.

"This acquisition more than doubles our existing public wildlife lands in Ohio's largest county. Its location is within a one-hour drive of 35 percent of Ohio's population and it will help meet the demand for hunting and other wildlife-related recreation," said Michael J. Budzik, Division of Wildlife chief.

In Ashtabula County, the wildlife agency owns and manages the 690-acre New Lyme Wildlife Area located nine miles south and the 193-acre Orwell Wildlife Area located 13 miles south of the LTV site.

The area, expected to be named the Dorset Wildlife Area, will be managed for various wildlife species such as the wild turkey, white-tailed deer, waterfowl, shorebirds, and woodland songbirds. Wetland restorations are planned that will benefit all wetland dependent species as well as forest wildlife species.