Court Sends Dispute Over Minerals Beneath Public Lands to State Board

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania appellate court has affirmed a lower court decision dismissing an energy company's action for quiet title to oil and gas deposits beneath a public hunting preserve, saying that another entity has exclusive jurisdiction because the dispute involves a public claimant. International Development Corp. v. Davidge, et al., No. 1805 C.D. 2010 (Pa. Cmwlth. Ct.).

The Commonwealth Court on Aug. 11 affirmed the decision of the Wyoming County (Pa.) Court of Common Pleas and ordered the dispute transferred to Pennsylvania's Board of Property.

Plaintiff International Development Corp. brought this action in an effort to obtain …