Jim Thorpe Borough is looking to take an added step to protect its watershed property with the help of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Wildlife Conservation Officer Cory Bentzoni said, pending council’s approval at a future meeting, the watershed could be added to the Game Commission’s safety zone program.

“It gives us jurisdiction over the property, though the borough would still own it,” Bentzoni said. “It helps to control unlawful activity. The borough can still dictate who can be on the property, what areas can be open for public hunting, what areas are restricted, etc.”

The watershed is all open land, which the borough has historically allowed the public to use. At times, however, the land becomes a popular all-terrain vehicle course and a destination for parties.

“This sounds like a great idea,” Councilman Jay Miller said. “We want to keep our watersheds the way they are. We have allowed people there, but if someone is abusing it, we want them off. It sounds like a win-win.”

Bentzoni said the game commission has worked with Lehighton in the past and just signed up some property in Weatherly Borough as part of the program.

The agreement lasts for five years and automatically renews annually after that.

“We’ll do random patrols on the weekends,” Bentzoni said. “If there is a specific issue, of course we’ll get there right away. If there is an ATV problem, we’ll pull officers from other areas and go in and give someone a surprise.”

Jim Thorpe’s water reservoir in the Germantown area of the borough has been a frequent party spot.

“They’re going in there, having parties and they’re not cleaning up,” Miller said. “This is the kind of stuff we want to stop.”

Police Chief Joe Schatz said his department is also in favor of the help.

“It’s tough for us to get in there,” he said. “Sometimes we have to go a mile or a mile-and-a-half in and I think this is a great opportunity.”

Council asked Borough Manager Maureen Sterner to forward the agreement to solicitor James Nanovic for review.

“If everything checks out with James, I’ll be the first one to make a recommendation to approve it next week,” Miller said.