Allen Township decided Sept. 8 to open a forested tract it owns along the Lehigh River to archers but will restrict the hunting to township residents only.

The issue was listed on the agenda as the “hunter access program” under unfinished business at the Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting.

The tract is north of the Borough of Northampton limits. More than 80 acres are involved - including 12 acres purchased in 2015 near West 27th Street, which link to 45 acres the township owns to the north and 27.5 acres to the south leased from PPL Corp. A more-than-century-old structure, acquired by the township in December, sits on a 12-acre lot.

A committee has been working since 2015 on a plan to recommend the future use of the land for open space purposes, possibly walking and hiking trails, bird watching and other passive activities.

Supervisor Larry Oberly weighed in, expressing his stance the property should remain passive. Opening it up for hunters is a danger to children, he said, adding schools often take field trips to that area.

“I don’t believe schoolchildren being there and hunters being there at the same time is safe,” said Oberly, who cast the sole no vote.

Chairman Bruce Frack, Vice Chairman Dale Hassler and Supervisor Al Pierce agreed with Oberly’s position but, in lacking a plan in place, they voted yes for entering the hunting program, noting that could change once the committee submits a plan.

For now, the township will issue permits for archery at no cost.

The archery is made possible by a program with Pennsylvania Game Commission, which will be responsible for enforcement of hunting regulations.

Supervisor Gary Behler, following comments from Oberly, strongly advocated adopting the archery hunting, saying if the township did not participate in the state game commission program, the township opens itself to liability claims should a hunting accident occur. Behler said state game personnel will patrol the land. He said the hunting will be permitted on 57 acres.

Hassler said, “We all know that right now it’s being hunted. This is a way we can exercise control.

“Right now, we don’t have a plan,” he added.