Lycoming County Commissioners were in a celebratory mood Thursday as they announced a $5.4 million land and royalty deal with Range Resources – Appalachia, LLC., the energy company.

The land deal – in the works for three years – includes 1,350 acres in Jackson Township, and 2 % royalty for any natural gas, oil and hydro carbon proceeds taken from the county-owned land, said Commissioner Scott Metzger, board chairman.

The three-year process has involved an extensive review and discussion from county attorneys, information provided by geological experts and negotiations with the company to ensure a deal unfolded that was mutually acceptable to the parties.

Commissioner Mark Mussina described the negotiations as “complicated,” consisting of a number of experts in various fields, an endeavor that involved opposing lawyers and meetings that were always “peaceful and conversational.”

Commissioner Marc C. Sortman said this was a deal made on land the county owned for “decades.”

He considered it to be a “windfall that will help with budgetary issues, especially with the negotiated lifetime royalty payments.”

Commissioners approved the deal by voting Thursday to approve a resolution including, but not limited to, authorizing the sale and settlement of subsurface rights for portions of the county tax parcels.

As stated, the transaction also includes a royalty agreement under which the county will receive regular royalty payments on all oil, gas and other hydrocarbons produced from the property.

Proceeds from the sale and royalty agreement will be used to benefit taxpayers in Lycoming County.

The commissioners are satisfied to have come to this which not only infuses the county with an immediate lump sum payment of funds and a percentage of future royalties which may run to perpetuity, but importantly, it includes robust protections for the county against future litigation risk.

Additionally, the county is excited about Range’s vision for this property and confident that Range’s development of the property will maximize the county’s future earnings.

The law firm of McNerney, Page, Vanderlin & Hall represented the county in the transaction, which closed on Thursday.