Donny Beaver Comments On Court Ruling

By: Destination Club News
Date: February 15, 2007

In a recent lawsuit, a Huntingdon County judge ruled that a private fishing club cannot block public access to a stretch of the Little Juniata River near Spruce Creek. The private fishing club in question is the fishing focused destination club Spring Ridge Club.

On January 29, Judge Stewart Kurtz filed his 57 page ruling, stating that the Little Juniata River is navigable, citing that the river was once used to ship whiskey, grain, and other goods prior to the introduction of railroads in the area in the mid 1800s.

"Obviously we've won this round, and we're happy about it," said Dan Tredinnick, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. "We're in the recreation business and access is a very big key to recreation, so anything we can do to improve it is a good thing."

Donny Beaver, the Founder of the Spring Ridge Club commented on the ruling in a message to members.

For those of you who don’t already know, the judge has handed down a decision in the case concerning “ownership” of the river-bottom on the stretch of the Little Juniata that runs in front of the Stone House. The State has ruled that the section of the Little J in question will remain “public” water. As it has stood for the last five years, anyone can walk down the Little J from the bridge and fish the waters on the Espy estate. We will still post the river banks as private property, however. None of our beats of “legacy” waters will be directly affected by the ruling.

At this point, I’m weighing my options as to whether or not we’ll appeal the decision, but for now, it’s business as usual.

The club currently has 112 members and looks to continue their growth, calling the club "healthy and stable" even with the negative ruling. As the club moves towards its ultimate 210 members. The club's expansion will continue in the form of the Colorado based Alpine River Club.

To learn more about the Alpine River Club or Spring Ridge Club, please request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide.